Each week Mansion Global tackles an interior design topic with an elite group of designers from around the world who work on luxury properties. This week we look at how to design a stylish guest room.
A well-appointed guest room is the best way to help guests get instantly comfortable. "Your guestroom is a reflection of your home—and the way that you live," said Poppy Peace, managing director of London-based design studio MILC. "Having a beautifully designed guest room is an opportunity for your guests to experience not only your warmth and hospitality but also your unique style and taste."
To make your friends and loved ones feel like they never left home, follow these design tips from the pros.
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Details Matter
"You should always have at least one chair in the room so your guests can have a place to put on their shoes or read a book. I always make sure to have an array of empty hangers waiting in the closet. Bottled water and fresh flowers are always an amazing way to say ‘Welcome!’
"Don’t skimp on bedding. A lot of people save their good bedding only for the master bedroom. Make sure to use a high thread count paired with a luxurious down comforter and pillows.
"Comfort and warmth come first in terms of a rug. When your guest steps off the bed onto a soft and cozy rug, they will feel right at home. It’s also ideal to have overhead lighting on a dimmer as well as bedside table lamps for reading.
"Well-curated window treatments are key. Drapes can help with temperature control, and you should always make sure there is a blackout option. Whether on the lining of the drapes or in a roller shade, keeping the light out is key for a good night’s sleep."
Designed by Taylor Spellman, this guest bedroom at One Hundred Barclay Street in Tribeca has a luxurious bed, a desk and stylish accoutrements.
Rich Caplan—New York-based designer Taylor Spellman
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Consider Comfort
"A guest room should have all the elements your guests will need to have a pleasant and restful stay—a comfortable bed with clean bedding, fresh towels, blackout curtains or blinds, and storage for clothing and shoes. Small additions, such as a radio, reading lamp, fresh flowers or plants, magazines or books, a pair of slippers, and even some toiletries really help elevate the space.
"A simple white bedding set with a high thread count and a sateen finish is perfect for creating a luxury hotel feel. Additions, such as bedspreads and throws, not only look great, but also provide additional warmth if your guests feel chilly.
"Ensure that the guest room isn’t too dark, but that it also provides versatile lighting for your guests. Bright overhead lights as well as dimmer side lamps and floor lamps create layers of lighting.
"Consider if your windows would better suit blinds or curtains, taking into account how closely they will sit to the window. The further away they protrude, the brighter a room will be at night, as light will escape around the edges. A combination of both blinds and curtains might be best in some instances to achieve darker sleeping conditions."
Storage space and a big cozy bed helps guests settle quickly into this room designed by MILC.
Photography Courtesy of Cambium, Lendlease—Poppy Peace, managing director of London-based design studio MILC
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Make it Stylish
"Guest rooms should be as self-contained as possible and include essentials such as a TV as well as plenty of storage space in the form of bedside tables and a chest of drawers. We often add extra touches like incense sticks to ensure the room is pleasantly fragranced.
"In addition to a main light switch which fills the entire room, bedside lamps can set a calming mood, provide light for reading, and offer easy access when a guest may need to navigate the room during the night. Tall lamps in silver and black, for example, add dimension and a sense of luxury.
"Window treatments should provide privacy when needed and darkness for night time. Thick, draped curtains are a good option for both functionality and aesthetics. When kept open with roped curtain ties in various layers, this adds an opulent touch to the room."
A warm, inviting atmosphere designed by Killer5 Interior Design Studios.
Photography Courtesy of Fitzroy Gate, St James (Berkeley Group)—Samantha Simmonds, creative director of Staffordshire, England-based Killer5 Interior
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Create Ambiance
"We love spaces that create mood and ambiance. We mix up the lighting with picture lights above art, wall sconces, and most importantly, low-level floor lighting for wayfinding.
"We work in a mixture of individual chairs and loveseats to create the right balance. Pop out tables, compartments and side lights are key to making the space practical, yet sexy. We take some of these cues from our work on yachts and jets.
"The most important part of any bedroom is the bed and mattress. The bedding should be warm and inviting, with layers of pillows, throws and blankets to appeal to all seasons. Decorative scatter cushions add a personal touch to the space.
"It is important for the composition [of the rug] to be soft with a high pile to ensure a soft footing. A rug is the perfect place to play with color and pattern to pull a full scheme together to bring personality to the room."
—James White of March & White based in Los Angeles, New York, and London