Is there anything more quietly luxurious than having a spare room? Whether you choose to keep the spare room ready to accommodate overnight guests or transform the space into a multi-functional at-home office or gym, there are plenty of ways to make your spare room sing. As designer Rita Konig says, “when decorating houses, I find guest bedrooms are the most liberating to design. On one hand, there is less pressure for them to be fabulous; on the other, they don’t have to be something you will not tire of, so you can be more adventurous.”
When designing your spare room, it is important to take into consideration your lifestyle and home habits, as well as the physicality of the room. Indeed, there are all sorts of “spare” rooms: what is deemed an extra room in a city flat may simply be a small nook, for example, whereas larger houses may boast multiple well-appointed guest bedrooms, each complete with an en-suite bath. Should the spare room you’re decorating be on the diminutive side, see it as an opportunity to be bold with colour and pattern. For larger spare bedrooms, it is essential to make sure the space feels as much like a beautiful bedroom in which your overnight guests feel comfortable and at home.
Read More
Rita notes: getting the spare room guest ready
When it comes to decorating a spare room, it is essential to treat it as your own, so that overnight guests can relax and feel at home – even if the room is multi-functional. What do you need in your own room, and how can you replicate that on a smaller scale for your guests? Are you bent on having black-out drapery? How about bookshelves? Do you like waking up to artwork or falling asleep in a room painted in calming colours? Should size be an issue in your spare room, consider installing beds with built-in storage, sectioning curtains for added privacy and open clothes storage such as hooks or hanging rails in lieu of bulky wardrobes.
We’ve put together a checklist for putting together a spare room, with each point sourced from our favourite designers and the House & Garden archive. Be inspired and remember to have fun with decorating your spare room.
‘Non-negotiables’ in a spare room
While all spare rooms are not created equal, there are a few key components to the ideal one…
Deep sleep-worthy beds
First things first, make sure the bed is comfortable. “Very few people sleep in their guest bed and so they have no idea how comfortable it is,” says designer Nina Campbell. “Everyone should spend one night in their own spare room.”
Comfortable seating
“A good armchair for guests to curl up in is a lovely idea if you have the space,” says ex-House & Garden decoration editor and designer Gabby Deeming.
Say adieu to bulky wardrobes
Hanging space is more useful to friends staying with you than a chest of drawers. Make sure there are plenty of coat hooks and if you don't have room for a wardrobe, consider a clothes rail. A clothes rail with a shelf, like the ‘Antwerp’ model from Swoon is ideal for folded items, shoes and bags. Alternatively, fill it with wicker baskets for a neater look.
Give guests a surface to ready (or write a thank-you note!)
“Every guest room needs a work surface of some kind, be it to use as a dressing table or a desk,” says Veere Grenney.
Great suitcase stowage is key
Somewhere for guests to easily access their bags can make a huge difference when it comes to short stays. Foldable luggage racks are best, as they can be hidden away when not in use.
Get playful with bins
“An attractive rubbish bin should be top of the list of practical accessories for a guest room,” adds Veere. “We often get ours custom-made to match the decor.” This wooden one can be painted to blend with the colour scheme.
Mirrors, mirrors on the wall…
The main ingredients for a successful guest room are echoed in the items that are required in your own bedroom. A good-size mirror is one of the fundamentals: choose one to match the style of the room.
Soft, warm lighting is key
A good bedside lamp is very important. A slim, unobtrusive floor lamp, which also functions as a bookstand, is a witty addition where there is little space for a table or bookshelf.
Perfect spare room bonuses
Now that you've equipped your spare room with the bare necessities, consider elevating the space with a few of these extra touches your guests will appreciate.
Carafes: a chic – and appreciated – touch
Make sure that there is a supply of water for your guests a carafe or water bottle is a must-have accessory for any spare room.
Let guests luxuriate in fluffy cotton
“A fluffy robe for guests to throw over their nightwear is a nice touch,” says ex-House & Garden locations editor Lavinia Bolton. A crisp, white dressing gown will add a sense of luxury to the most austere spare room.
Let guests be their own DJ
A sound system in a guest room is no longer a luxury. Choose a useful little digital radio that also streams music from an iPhone and acts as a charger, and is compact enough to fit into the smallest of spare rooms.
