Knowing how to prepare a well-prepared bed for guests goes beyond just providing them with a place to sleep. A guest bed is a reflection of your home and hospitality. By prioritizing a comfortable and stylish bed, you can create an inviting, restful space that leaves your guests feeling refreshed. Here's how to do it, starting with what to put in your guest room!
About the Room
Before you start decorating, take some time to decide what you want to put in the guest room. Along with a comfortable mattress and bedding, essential items to consider include:
- Furniture: A bedside table, armchair, and full-length mirror are all good options for a guest room. If you have space to add a desk, this could also be a nice touch for guests who work remotely (and double as a home office!)
- Storage: If the room has a closet, fill it with plenty of hangers. For more storage space, add a luggage rack or drawers.
- Accessories: Small items like a reading lamp, white noise machine, or phone charging station can all elevate your guests' stay.
Once you know how you're going to fill the room, choose a calming and neutral color palette like white, cream, light blue, or gray. Investing in high-quality bedding is also one of the best ways to make your guests feel like they’re staying in a boutique hotel.
Choose the Right Mattress and Bedding
One of the best ways to make a bed comfortable for guests is to provide a good mattress and high-end, luxury linens.
When choosing a mattress for your guest room, make sure it offers adequate support, maintains the spine’s natural alignment, and evenly distributes body weight. Gel-infused memory foam and temperature-regulation properties can keep visitors cool and cozy through the night. And a mattress made of hypoallergenic materials is a safe bet for a variety of guests who may suffer from allergies. To add a few extra inches of quilted comfort, don your mattress with a mattress topper. This additional barrier also helps prevent your mattress from accumulating stains, sweat, and soil. (For even more protection, consider a protective cover as well.)
And what’s a bed without soft, high-quality sheets? Breathable cotton and linen sheets are often a smart choice for guest beds, as they promote air circulation and temperature regulation.
Layering Blankets and Comforters
Since everyone sleeps differently, layering is another fool-proof way to make a bed feel comfortable for guests. In addition to breathable sheets, dress your bed with a light quilt and a more substantial duvet or comforter. That way, guests can add or take away the layers if they tend to sleep hot or cold. To add extra style, coziness, and dimension, drape a throw blanket at the end of the bed for more texture and warmth.
Selecting the Best Pillows
When making a bed for guests, provide plenty of pillows with varying sizes and firmness levels so your visitors can find one (or a combination) that suits their sleep preferences. Mix in firm, soft, or medium-firm pillows - usually a safe bet for most people. Add them all to the bed or store a few extras in the bedroom closet where your guests can easily access them. When choosing the type of material for guest pillows, opt for hypoallergenic options like down-alternative or latex pillows. You may also want to consider a pillow protector to extend the life of your guest bed pillows and keep them clean.
Pillow and Cushion Arrangements
Thoughtfully arranging pillows on a guest bed can create a curated look. For a classic arrangement, dress your bed with two standard sleeping pillows at the top, two decorative shams in front, and an accent pillow in the center. For a layered look, put a few large Euro pillows at the top, followed by smaller standard pillows in front. Next, add throw pillows in various textures, colors, or patterns - just be careful not to overdo it! You want your arrangement to be intentional and inviting, not cluttered. For a simple and cozy vibe, simply add two standard sleeping pillows at the headboard, followed by two decorative pillows.
Personal Touches for Extra Comfort
Little touches can make a big difference in making your guests feel at home. Remember: it doesn’t have to be extravagant. Start small and ensure your visitors have plenty of blankets with an extra quilt or throw at the end of the bed. Place a bouquet of fresh flowers in the guest room to add brightness and cheer. Or write a welcome card with a piece of decadent chocolate and a sleep mask and place them on the pillow or bedside table. A selection of books, magazines, a tablet, or an e-reader can keep your guests entertained. Snacks and a water carafe are also a nice touch, giving your guests a little extra independence during their stay.
Keeping the Bed Clean and Fresh
To keep your luxury bedding clean between guests, launder your linens in cold water on gentle cycle. Use a mild detergent that’s free of bleach, whiteners, or softeners. Tumble dry on low heat or air dry outside for sun-kissed freshness. Once your bedding is dry, you can iron or steam the linens to remove wrinkles and create a crisp look.
If putting away linens between guest stays, ensure your storage space is free of dust and debris and that your bedding has plenty of air circulation. Placing a sachet of lavender or a cedar block in your storage area can also keep your bedding smelling pleasant and fresh.
For more details about how to care for your luxury linens, check out Peacock Alley’s detailed care guides.
Invest in Luxury Guest Bedding
Knowing how to make a bed for your guests will only go so far if you don’t already have high-end bedding. At Peacock Alley, we have over 40 years of experience creating luxurious linens to transform your home into an inviting haven. From cooling cotton sheets to the finest European goose-down duvets, we offer luxury bedding to elevate your guest bedroom into a five-star experience.
FAQ Section
Q: Why does guest bedroom luxury matter?
A: Adding luxury to your guest bedroom via a high-quality mattress, luxe bedding, and design choices matters because it creates an inviting vibe for your visitors. It helps make them feel welcomed and special like they’re a guest at a luxury hotel.
Q: What should I put in a guest room?
A: When putting together a guest room, ensure you have a comfortable bed, essential furniture items like a bedside table and full-length mirror, and plenty of storage space via closets, drawers, or a luggage rack. Accessories and thoughtful details like a reading lamp, fresh flowers, and a charging station can also make guests feel more at ease.
Q: What kind of mattress is best for a guest bed?
A: Medium-firm mattresses are often an excellent choice for a guest bed as they offer a balance of comfort and support and are suitable for both back and side sleepers. Hypoallergenic mattresses with temperature-regulating properties can also cater to the needs of a variety of sleepers.
Q: How many pillows should be on a guest bed?
A: At least two sleeping pillows per guest should be on a guest bed. However, adding more decorative pillows can enhance your guest room’s overall aesthetic.
Q: Should I provide extra blankets for my guests?
A: Yes, always provide extra blankets in your guest room. Since everyone has different sleep styles, you’ll want to ensure you have plenty of options to suit your guest’s needs. A throw pillow or quilt at the end of the bed can also add texture and style.
