How to Make a Guest Room Look and Feel Like a Luxury Retreat

By Kiki Hector

You don’t have to do a full remodel of the guest room to make it feel like a five-star retreat; some well-chosen details will do the trick to enhance the comfort and style of the space. I always try to identify what makes a hotel room so luxurious: the bed, the lights, and those little things that make you feel like you’ve been away on vacation. These same principles can easily be applied when you are planning a guest space in your own home.

The Power of Luxurious Bedding

The first thing that sets a real inviting guest room is the bedding. Luxury hotels spend their money on the linens so it obviously has to be good. I always suggest going for a higher thread count sheet set, a good mattress topper, and a variety of pillows of different firmness for those who have different needs. Using a quilt or a throw layered at the foot of the bed gives the room more comfort and makes it look more homely.

Enhance the Look with Window Treatments

Window treatments can make a big difference in the way a space looks. The correct curtain brings a softness to the room and gives it a finished, considered appearance. One of my favorites is the Sara Le Print Linen Drapery from TWOPAGES—it has the ideal amount of chicness and coziness to it, with its luxurious texture and distinct pattern.

Set the Mood with Lighting

Lights are important in setting the mood. Using different sources of light gives the room a more comforting and inviting look. A floor lamp on the side of the bed for reading, wall sconce for gentle lighting, and a dimmable chandelier or ceiling light will provide the needed illumination at different times of the day. All the bulbs should be warm—they produce a nice mood light that will make your guests feel comfortable.

Appeal to All the Senses

A guest room should appeal to all the senses. The use of smell in achieving a relaxing environment is great, therefore I use a diffuser with lavender or eucalyptus oil. Fresh flowers, a small collection of good books, or a piece of art will help to create the atmosphere without making the space look messy.

Little Details Make a Big Impact

There is a lot to be said for those little details that just make a guest feel looked after. Just a tray with a carafe of water and a selection of teas and a small snack is a great way to do it. Extra blankets, a phone charger, and some plush towels are also great. These little moves make a guest room feel more like an experience than a place to sleep.

A guest space that is well thought out is not just a pretty room but a sanctuary that a guest will want to retreat to. Whether it is a comfortable bed with great bedding, nice curtains, or those special touches that make all the difference, the idea is to design a room where the guest will feel like they are at home, but better.

*All photographs credit: Kiki Hector

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