Guest Bedroom Comfort & Privacy

Some of us may have a guest bedroom that is just waiting for someone to visit, or we may use one of our college aged children's bedrooms as a Guest Room when we have company. For a great many of us, our Guest Bedroom may consist of a sleeper sofa in the Family Room, which is fine ... we even have some tips on how to make that sleeper sofa more comfortable and private!

In this room, the owners have created a real get away for their guests. The owner of this
Guest Room has always wanted this type of bed, but felt that all the fabric would bother her
on a day to day basis - so... she indulged in the Guest Room!

Comfort

The basic comforts should be addressed so that your guests don't have to ask for anything. The thing to keep in mind when decorating the Guest Room is that the basic comforts can become decorative accents, home decor, and make the room much more inviting and comfortable - visually as well as physically. Below are some of the comforts that you can add to the room while also making it more beautiful.

• Blankets - There's nothing worse than being cold! Have a nice soft blanket (avoid wood since many people are allergic to it) on the bed, but also have a soft chenille throw across the foot of the bed or a chair in the room to add color and additional warmth if needed.
• Two Pillows - I always try to have two pillows on the Guest Bed, even if it is a twin. One pillow that is firm and the other more soft so that your Guest can choose the one that they prefer. Again, you will want to avoid natural products (like a down or feather pillow) in case of allergies.
• Night Stand - Almost necessary for the items that will follow. It doesn't have to be a fancy table, you can even use a wood form circular table with a floor length cloth which will also add to the decor of the room.
• Bedside Light - Your guests are probably not familiar with the room they are staying in and shouldn't have to turn the light switch off at the door and find their way to the bed. A bedside lamp will eliminate them having to maneuver in an unfamiliar bedroom in the dark.
• Clock/Alarm - Don't let your guest oversleep! When selecting a clock for the nightstand, select a simple one that is easy to figure out.
• Books - In case your guest has trouble sleeping, provide a few books on subjects that you think will interest them.
• Water Decanter - A small glass bedside water decanter (one that the top becomes the glass) is a very nice addition to the Guest Room. If your visitor is thirty, they do not need to find their way to your Kitchen in the middle of the night. These are decorative as well as useful.
• Window Treatments - You will want to provide window treatments that allow an option of total privacy. If the draperies don't close, then simply installing a pull down shade behind them will be sufficient.
• Set of Towels - buy a really nice set of towels - they are more expensive, but you will only need a few.
• Extra's - That are just nice to have: flowers, dish of candy, mirror, a dirty clothes hamper (for the guest that likes to strip the bed before they leave) and a telephone.

Another important comfort is the feeling of privacy. Sometimes it's limited, but it can almost always be improved upon.

Sleeper Sofa Privacy

If you have a sleeper sofa that your guests have to sleep on:

• Provide a screen or room divider that can be placed between the sleeping area and the main activity area of the room. The divider can be decorative and used in one corner of the room when not needed as a privacy screen. Just that small separation will give your guests a feeling of their own private space.
• Temporarily turn the sofa so that when it is open the bed portion is facing a wall (a corner is even better) and not facing directly into the room.

Guest Room Privacy

• Make sure their door locks!! Whether it is the Bedroom or a Guest Bathroom, make sure that the door will close and lock securely. If it doesn't have a lockable doorknob, add a hook and eye closure so that your Guests will know that nobody will walk in on them.

The ideal situation! This couple had their attic converted into a Guest Suite for their
children and their families when visiting.