Whether you are welcoming parents, in-laws, other family or friends into your home, there is one thing that can make the stay more comfortable for everyone involved: a comfortable guest bedroom. A guest bedroom provides a place for your company to retreat at the end of your daily visit activities, giving them, and you, some personal space for the evening and to get a good night’s rest.

Many people have a hard time sleeping away from their own bed, but there are several steps you can take to make your guests more comfortable in your home, including choosing the right guest bedroom furniture. Choosing guest room furniture can be tricky, particularly if you want the room to serve multiple purposes. Still, by providing the essentials and using a few handy tips, you can create the perfect guest room retreat.

Before making major furniture purchases for your guest bedroom, it’s important to consider what items will help you make the most of your space. There are just two major factors you need to consider before you start.

1. Determine who your guests are likely to be: single visitors, couples, kids or all of the above?

2. Will the space be only used as a guest room? Or will the family be using it for other reasons, as well?

Guest Room Furniture Basics

In order for your guests to truly enjoy their stay, there are certain items which should be present in their room, whether it is a separate dedicated bedroom or a shared space. These items include:

Bed – Just like a master suite or a kid’s bedroom, the bed is the focal point of a guest bedroom. If you have the space, a queen bed is a good choice for accommodating couples. If your available space is limited, there are several good options. A sleeper sofa can offer a comfy space to sit during the day, and pull out to a full or queen mattress when it’s time to hit the lights. Futons and klik-klaks are popular multi-functional pieces that are also part couch, part bed. Another option that saves space during the day and can easily support two sleepers at night is a daybed with a trundle. Of course, a murphy bed is known for its space-saving and transforming properties. If you are most likely to have young overnight guests, a bunk bed may be the best fit for your room.

Mattress – No matter what the size, the mattress should be comfortable for a full night’s sleep. It would be wonderful to have lovely furniture and a beautifully designed space, as well, but the mattress is almost certainly the single most important object in the room. A medium-firm mattress is a good option that offers a middle-ground level of comfort that will suit most of your guests.

Bedside table with lamp – A nightstand or other bedside table is more than an accent—it’s important in making your guests comfortable, and allowing them to keep water and other personal items close to them throughout the night. There should also be a lamp, so your guest can relax with a book in the evening, or turn a light on if they wake up during the night. Ideally, there will be one table and lamp for each guest, although one placed in between two twin beds will also work.

Mirror – Most guest bedrooms won’t have an attached bathroom. A mirror can go a long way in providing a place for guests to get ready in the morning. A full length mirror is preferable, although a large mirror over a bureau may work well enough. At the very least, though, there should be a mirror somewhere in the room in which guests can see their face and use it to fix their hair.

Once these key items are in place, you may want to consider additional pieces, such as:

Desk and chair - Your guests may appreciate being able to remain productive during their stay, and there are many stylish desk options which complement any type of bedroom furniture. Even desk chairs have come a long way, with many attractive models that add to, instead of taking away from, the overall design of your room.

Chest of drawers - Guests who will be joining you for an extended stay will likely prefer to fully unpack their bags, in which case a chest of drawers will be welcome. Chests are typically tall and thin, so they don’t take up a lot of floor space in a small guest bedroom or a room that has to serve multiple roles.

Multi-purpose Guest Room Solutions

Many people don’t have an entire room to dedicate entirely as a guest space. If you prefer not to leave an entire room empty except for occasional guests, it is possible to do that without sacrificing comfort or style. Here are a few common scenarios in which a space is used for multiple purposes, including a space for overnight guests.

Guest Room and Office

Many people combine a home office and a guest bedroom into a single small or medium sized space. The challenge of this is fitting all the items you need for both purposes, without making your space seem cramped. If you plan to use the guest room as an office when there are no guests in residence, then you may want to consider multi-purpose furniture to get the most out of your available floor plan.

• Bed - Instead of furnishing your guest room with a large queen bed, you could choose one of the options mentioned previously, such as a chic futon, sleeper sofas or daybed.
• Desk - Using armoires with drop down desks allows you to keep your work clutter out of sight once the guests arrive. Simply flip the desk back up. Other people opt for a small writing desk that will hold their laptop and offer just enough work space without consuming too much room.

Guest Room and Gym

Believe it or not, gym equipment does not have to be an unsightly addition to a guest room, particularly if you are using more contemporary furnishings. Even with traditional styles of furniture, there are ways of incorporating exercise equipment into a room. Consider both the equipment itself and how accent pieces can be used to visually separate the areas of your multi-purpose room.

• Collapsible gym equipment can be stored behind doors, in closets or under the bed.
• Screens or room dividers can be used to hide them when guests are using the room.
• Rugs can be used to great effect to create separate spaces visually, and also protect the room’s floor or carpet.

Guest Room and Crafts

Storage is key while using a room for crafts and other hobby work when the space is not needed for guests. Here are a few items that can help store your craft supplies, so they are easier to work with on a daily basis, and tuck away when the room is needed for overnight stays.

• Cabinets and shelves should be chosen to complement the room’s furnishings in addition to providing a place for supplies and allowing the room to stay neat. If the room is small, opt for vertical storage units that take up less floor space.
• Attractive storage containers add to the room’s décor, and they can also offer a space to store different types of craft items.

Guest Space in Living Rooms

Perhaps you don’t have a bedroom, shared or not, to use as a guest space. Many people use their living room to accommodate overnight guests. In this case, it’s important to use multi-purpose furniture that complements the décor of the rest of the living area.

• Sofa sleeper – Sleeper furniture is typically your best bet for an everyday living space that needs to be converted into a sleeping space for the occasional guest.
• Storage ottomans – These multi-purpose ottomans are available in a wide range of fashions. They can be used as a convenient spot to store your guest bedding away during the day, and they can even provide extra seating for daytime conversing and relaxing with your company.

Don’t Forget Décor

While the furnishings may be the most important elements of a comfortable guest bedroom, you shouldn’t overlook the little accents and décor that will make it feel like a home-away-from-home for all your guests. There’s no one design style that best suits guest bedrooms. Most people choose to follow the same design scheme as the rest of their house—whether it’s traditional or a more contemporary aesthetic.

Generally, a neutral or cool color palette is best to create a calming oasis-like feel for your guests. Sea greens and sky blues can curate a spa-like vibe, while Earthy textures are on-trend right now and lend to a welcoming atmosphere for your company. Don’t forget a few plants, either real or faux, to bring in a little color and a finishing touch for your décor.

Another tip for making your guest feel right at home: add a few seasonal decorations to the guest bedroom as you are getting the rest of your home ready for the holiday seasons. A fall wreath and some scented candles create a cozy environment for your guests around Thanksgiving, and a mini Christmas tree and a holiday throw blanket or throw pillows can go a long way in creating a festive atmosphere in the winter season.

Extra Special Touches

There are some items that you can leave in the guest bedroom to make their stay more comfortable. Put clean towels and washcloths where guests can easily spot them. You can also stack a couple of extra blankets for those that run cold, and consider placing a couple of different pillow options at the end of the bed. Include a flat pillow and a fuller pillow so guests can choose their favorite.

Thoughtful little touches can make a big difference in the comfort of your guests. Consider putting together a small basket with some of the items they may need during their stay. Travel sized bottles of shampoo and lotion, an extra toothbrush in case they forget theirs at home, a couple of bottles of water and a few snacks are sure to make your guests smile.

With these furniture, décor and hospitality tips, there is no reason not to have a guest room retreat that is as functional as it is lovely.