Make your visitors feel right at home and add to the overall aesthetic of your living space with a comfortably designed guestroom. With some careful planning and thoughtful furniture choices, you can easily create an inviting space that goes beyond a pillow and blanket. Working with Jeff Erickson, a sales associate at Copenhagen Phoenix, we’ve come up with four key furniture and design tips for crafting a warm, welcoming guest room.
Whatever your guests’ activities are, they’re sure to long for a restful respite, both at the end of the day and in between activities. Lay the foundation for a relaxing stay with key furnishings that are designed with universal comfort in mind. A high-quality bed frame and mattress or sleeper sofa can make all the difference to someone’s sleep quality – allowing them to rest easily each night and feel refreshed each morning. Consider an upholstered frame in a deep, moody color for a cocooned feel or a warm wood piece that exudes classic comfort. A mid-century modern design like Prescott offers the best of both worlds, with a solid walnut veneer and grey fabric headboard. “If space is tight, try a smaller-scale bedroom set like Bravo,” Erickson suggests, which is available in a variety of frame sizes. “Even if you can’t fit the matching nightstands, it’s nice to have somewhere for your guests to set down a glass of water or other items. Both the Scoop accent table by Elite Modern and the BDI Bink table are good, smaller alternatives.”
For your mattress choice, rather than going too plush or firm, opt for one in the middle of the firmness range to accommodate a greater variety of guests; the Montreal mattress features five layers of hybrid latex and memory foam as well high-density foam, providing dreamlike comfort in the sweet spot between semi-firm and plush. “If your guest room is a multi-purpose room or on the smaller side, I’d recommend a sleeper sofa over a traditional bedroom set,” Erickson says. “Luckily, Copenhagen offers some great looking designs like Tucson, which comes in a full or queen size, that can be opened into a bed quickly.” Sleeper sofas also give your guests extra flexibility and freedom to customize their space. For the most compact sleeping solution, consider a , perfect for a single guest or placed alongside a bed or larger sleeper.
Regardless of their length of stay, your guests will appreciate ample room to store their luggage, clothing, and other travel items. Proper storage solutions mitigate clutter and can help guests feel more at home by welcoming them to unpack and keeping them from needing to sift through their luggage every morning. A double dresser like Bella Clara has four large drawers for your guests’ more substantial items, and two smaller drawers for their accessories and lighter clothes. For smaller guest rooms, consider maximizing your vertical space with a high chest like Steel; with a space-savvy compact form and LED lighting over its top drawer, your guests will have everything they need to quickly store and locate items. Whichever type of dresser you choose, we suggest looking for those with soft-close or push-to-open drawers for added convenience and to support any guests with mobility concerns.
Those unable to accommodate a traditional dresser need not worry; there are many types of smaller storage solutions that can elevate items off the ground, making a space feel more open and less cluttered, a crucial element of a cozy guest room. Consider a nightstand with drawers or multifunctional features like the Linq side table by BDI which features a pull-out tray, integrated power strip, and soft-close drawer, giving your guests a convenient spot to plug in electronics and store small belongings. Another versatile option is a storage ottoman like this one from Stressless® which includes a hidden compartment and removable fitted table; with storage, seating, and surface space, a storage ottoman is a great space-saving solution for ensuring your guests’ comfort.
And don’t underestimate the power of going back to the basics; a simple luggage rack or adjustable clothing rack provides mobile clothing space and can be easily stored away when you don’t have company. For guests’ heavier clothing and hats, a coat rack like Toby can be placed behind a door to maximize space.
After you’ve laid the groundwork for your guest room with these essential furnishings, it’s time to accessorize with supplemental items that create a welcoming feel – a hominess that sets your space apart from a hotel room. “A rug is a must,” Erickson states. “There’s nothing worse than waking up in the morning and stepping on a cold floor.” Try a high pile or hand-loomed piece for an extra cozy, tailored feel; the Combination rug has a subtly playful pattern and golden yellow hue that adds style and warmth.
Erickson also suggests “a freestanding or wall mirror to help a space look and feel larger.” Not only does a full-length mirror like Gala provide your guests with a spot to get ready, but it also includes two accessory hooks for hanging items. And don’t forget the power of proper illumination – layer various types of lighting throughout your guest room to support a variety of needs and activities, not to mention to boost your aesthetic.
Erickson also emphasizes the variety of accent furnishings available for guest rooms of all sizes: “It’s nice to have a place to sit and tie your shoes or to place a suitcase on to unpack – the Allure bench has a great look and smaller depth that can be placed at the end of a bed to save space. For larger rooms, a comfortable chair is perfect for inviting your guests to relax or crack open a book. You could also incorporate a compact desk like Kontikki to provide workspace.” A desk can also provide storage space, making it a great multifunctional choice.
You’d be surprised at how a few small and simple final touches can transform your guest room into a restful retreat that makes your guests feel right at home. Try a few of these thoughtful gestures to infuse your space with a truly welcoming feel!
“In the cooler seasons especially, setting out extra blankets for your guests is nice; in the summer, consider putting a fan in the room as well,” says Erickson. Both of these practical amenities can help ensure all-night comfort, especially important for travel-weary visitors. Consider also providing a pre-prepped basket with essential toiletries for your guests; you’ll save them a run to the store for anything they forgot, and they’ll appreciate you even more. A few aesthetic touches can also go a long way toward making your guests feel catered to. Try placing candles around the room to ramp up the coziness or adding a few faux plants for a touch of nature without the upkeep – “I like flowers, but a full bouquet can overpower the guest room with its fragrance,” Erickson says. “Buy a bouquet for the main part of the house and put a flower or two into a bud vase on a nightstand.” And for any potential downtime, place a few books or magazines on a dresser or wall shelf to provide your guests with entertainment. Whether or not your guests take advantage of these gestures, their mere presence can help create a comfortable environment that feels carefully curated.
Prioritize your guests’ comfort with a stylish and functional guest room that features quality furnishings, storage solutions, and thoughtful touches. For more design help, contact or visit a Copenhagen showroom to meet our sales and interior design experts.