Creating a haven your holiday visitors won't want to leave

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Published Date 11/13/2024

It’s no secret. Your home’s guest room may get used for a lot of things that have nothing to do with guests much of the year — the place where you might sleep when your spouse is sick, a home office space, an impromptu crafts room — whatever. But the holiday season is nearly upon us and if you plan to host REAL guests, you’re probably already thinking about how to spiff it up.

Ever wonder why your guests tend to linger too long in your comfy kitchen or living room while you’re trying to cook or tidy up? It may be because guest rooms are often too bare or bland to encourage lingering.

Realtor.com’s Larissa Runkle wants to change that by introducing you to the science of making guest rooms as inviting as possible. “The more comfortable they are, the more likely your guests will stay put and out of the way,” she says. “And the best part is that you need not break the bank.”

Runkle rounded up some affordable yet stylish guest-room suggestions to help you create a cozy haven your holiday company will actually want to use as a hideaway. The first is a pleated lamp shade that creates a soft glow that will keep your guests tucked in for the night. For a formal bedside moment that takes very little energy to pull off, a pleated shade could play a key role in creating a polished yet welcoming atmosphere, according to designer Lisa Welch. “The shade would produce a soft, diffused light, enhancing the room’s ambiance, promoting relaxation and comfort.”

Striped bed sheets or a striped duvet cover elevate your guest room’s appearance, breaking up a bedroom space quite nicely — a big change from florals, says designer Joyce Huston. “I think stripes in calm colors also add a layer of maturity to a guest room.”

Nothing says focal point like an elegant headboard, and upholstered says luxury, even though you can find them on Wayfair or Amazon for not a lot of money. “Nothing ties a space together quite like an upholstered headboard,” says Runkle. “Upholstered headboards create a cohesive, inviting bedroom, and this whimsical headboard adds a playful yet refined touch, making it perfect for a formal guest room,” says Welch. “Pair it with vibrant pillows to enhance the room’s inviting atmosphere while maintaining an elegant feel.”

Next? “A statement chandelier is one of my favorite ways to bring a room together, and I adore how a tapered chandelier works as a centerpiece to enhance that opulent feeling,” says Huston. “Place it at the foot of the bed or in the center of the room to help guide the eyes through the space and create that relaxed ambiance.”

A fleecy ottoman, paired with a cozy armchair (if there’s room) is so inviting, your guests may not wander out for a while. “In a formal guest room environment, the sheepskin ottoman offers an unexpected layer of comfort that softens the room’s overall feel while maintaining an elevated look,” says Welch. “It’s perfect for encouraging guests to sit down, relax, and feel at ease. It also pairs seamlessly with various textiles and furnishings, making it a reliable, go-to piece.”

Realtor, TBWS

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