The Guest Bedroom Mistake That Feels Way Too Overbearing

If your home boasts a guest room, the possibilities for decor can feel endless. This room allows you to create a space that is comfortable and represents your creativity, giving you an extra canvas to incorporate your interior design know-how. Aside from your bedroom and bath, guest areas are a great way to try different color palettes, wallpapers, textures, and decorative elements that still express your interests. However, it's also important to avoid going overboard on personal items and decor, as this can become overwhelming and make your guest room less cozy to some. While small additions that reflect your style are fine and even welcome, you should also try to invoke a neutral yet warm layout that feels inviting and calming to anyone who stays.

Think of your guest room as a mini hotel. Whenever you travel, the places that are the most comfortable and relaxing tend to have simple design elements with subtle touches that bring to mind a homey, cozy vibe. Again, the space doesn't have to be completely devoid of any personality or creativity, but it should feel enough like a minimalistic Airbnb or hotel that your guests can occupy the room without feeling uncomfortable or overwhelmed.

It can be a fine line between too much personality and a space that is lacking character completely. For example, you don't want to just deck out the room in white or gray (or any other neutral color) and call it a day. This could result in a sterile-feeling environment that reminds visitors of a hospital or other less-than-cozy space. If you're opting to stick with a minimalistic, monochromatic, or neutral backdrop for a guest room, consider adding pops of personality or customization with wall prints or hangings. You could also sparingly incorporate knick-knacks and ornaments on some surfaces, or even use candles or framed photos of landscapes. This will bring both color and a human element that evokes comfort and personality without laying it on too thick.

On the other hand, you could lean into a more customized or themed room, but make sure to include some basic elements and pieces that balance the space. Excessively bright palettes or a menagerie of colors might make some guests feel overstimulated, so opt for one dramatic or bold shade and combine this with neutral materials like wood or stone to bring a grounded effect to the room. Bookshelves are a great way to add natural materials, and they create a place to add ornaments and cozy creature comforts. 

Other tips for creating a tranquil visitor-ready guest room include having extra bedding and towels on hand, adding plants, and even providing tea or coffee carafes. These can all add color and texture, so you can get creative with them by using colorful and bright spare throws, as well as different trays or carts. Those carafes are great for adding pops of metallics, and plants are an easy way to introduce color as well, bringing in a natural element that is both welcoming and uplifting. 

You may want to consider patterned curtains in a hue that complements your wall color to add a little more personality, or use rugs as a way to bring in more texture. Lamps and wall lighting offer the opportunity to include more decor and patterns, and since lighting is obviously necessary, these won't feel overwhelming even if they are more artistic or decorative in the base, lamp shade, or sconce design. Unique but functional furnishings can help to complete your creative spare bedroom design. Don't forget to add essentials to your spare room like snacks and goodies, extra chargers (and perhaps your Wi-Fi password), and instructions for using electronics such as the TV remote.