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Design: William Hunter Collective, Styled: Emily Henderson Design, photo: Sara Tramp
Raise your hand if you've ever turned your guest bedroom into storage space or a home gym you never ended up using. Spare bedrooms can be a blessing and a curse. On the one hand, an extra bedroom presents an opportunity to host friends and family when they're visiting. On the other hand, it also means having an extra room to decorate. But it is possible to make a small guest room feel finished, even when it's a tiny space.
Take a lesson from your favorite hotels—sometimes all you need are a few essentials to make people feel at home. Think adequate lighting, a mirror, fresh bedding, and a little storage space. In addition to covering the essentials, we've also rounded up our most stylish tips to make your guest room worthy of a five-star review. Read on for our favorite small guest room ideas. Beware—your guests might never want to leave.
Pay Attention to the Nightstand
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No matter how big or small, make sure the guest bedroom nightstand has the essentials: a source of light like a reading lamp, and a catchall to throw jewelry or keys. To further elevate the nightstand, if you have a landline at home, consider including a phone in the guest room. A landline phone can come in handy if cell service is spotty. On a similar note, you may want to keep a power strip in the guest bedroom to accommodate for all the other gadgets that need a charge.
Add extra touches to the nightstand like a water carafe, a book, or a scented candle, but the essentials (such as a light) have to be there too.
Keep It Cozy
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Look around the room for those extra touches that'll make the space extra comfortable: A soft rug to put your feet down on in the morning and a mirror to get your hair under control before heading out for breakfast. A full-length mirror is ideal, but at the very least, a smaller wall-hung mirror will make your guests feel at ease before they venture out of the room. You could also channel your favorite hotel and include a robe and towel set guests can use throughout their stay.
Give Them Storage Space
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Storage space is always appreciated when you're staying at someone's house, so try to empty the closets and drawer dressers, or add a folding luggage rack to make it easier for guests to unpack. A tray filled with essentials like toothpaste and snacks is also a nice touch that's simple but always appreciated. Furthermore, an extra long bedside tables with dressers function both as a desk and storage space.
Add the Finishing Touches
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Add finishing touches that'll give your guests a positive experience: Quality, fresh bedding and a toiletry kit go a long way towards making guests comfortable, for example.
Consider including the following in your guest bedroom:
- Tissues
- Iron
- Hairdryer
- Basic toiletries
- A carafe of water
- A list of helpful tips for navigating your home while you're out of the house or not conveniently reachable, like how to negotiate the thermostat
Make s Statement
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Looking to go that extra mile when decorating your guest bedroom? Don't be afraid to make a statement. For example, opt for a bold headboard, funky wall art (try a gallery wall, with tips from design guru Emily Henderson), and built-in lighting for a unique aesthetic that will ensure your guests have an unforgettable stay.