Backup bedroom ideas are often left out when it comes to home décor. Not a priority…except on our part. Making your home comfortable for others – as well as yourself – is what life is all about. A place to relax for friends, a space they want to visit, is a wonderful luxury they can offer. We all want our guests to be welcomed into a stylish room with everything they need for a good night’s sleep, so they can wake up refreshed and ready for the next day.
It might also be a good idea to arrange a small sitting area so they can spend some private time if they are staying for a few days, somewhere to read or just relax.
“Even one night in your guest room is enough to reveal some amenities that may be lacking, or there may be a problem or two that needs to be addressed,”
Hawes contributor and sustainability consultant Shanna Levi McCracken. “I recommend that you walk every step your guests will encounter, from their arrival to their departure, to make sure all of their needs are met.”
Unlike when thinking about your bedroom ideas, a spare room should be versatile. Not everyone can keep a room just for the guests, so think about what other things it could be used for. A crafting room, perhaps, or a home office.
To help inspire you, look at some of the innovative and elegant ways top interior designers have decorated these spare rooms.
spare bedroom ideas
1. Keep the decor simple with a twist
1000 times better design
(Image source: Alex Zarour, Virtually Here Studios)
There’s a lot to be said for keeping the designs simple in a spare room. Guests are not familiar with the layout, so they are more likely to bump into objects and travel over furniture, so consider a clear path from the bed to the bathroom. Also offer a selection of feather pillows and pillows with synthetic fillings in case your guest has a feather allergy. Add fresh flowers on the day your guests arrive as a sweet welcome.
“This guest bedroom wasn’t a big room, so I really wanted it to have some personality to make up for the lack of volume,” says Kirsten Blazek of the design studio 1000 Times Best. What elevated this cozy scheme into a more modern bedroom is the unexpected color of the bed frame. It’s always a good idea to include a twist to delight your guests. “The bright green bed added charm and character to the space. I also incorporated great textiles throughout the room and interesting light fixtures, but I didn’t want to overwhelm the space. We added built-in storage in place for practical reasons and it turned out to be a great place to display decorative items.”
2. Include a double bed for increased functionality
(Photo credit: Michael Del Piero)
The twin family is back. They are a classic option for children’s rooms and guest bedrooms and are a practical and flexible solution for hosting an audience. Twin beds create symmetry and help organize an extra bedroom. They give her the ability to host two children, or they are paid together as a married couple. If the room does not have enough space, place a bedside table between the two beds rather than placing one on either side.
“We tend to keep the room’s spare color palette completely neutral so it feels calm and serene,” says interior designer Michael Del Piero, who created this scheme. “Adding textured elements like soft throws mixed with more sculptural pieces creates a space that feels streamlined yet earthy and inviting. Exciting artwork and accessories with a mix of materials add personalization and layering that complements the look.”
3. Come to life with a statement wallpaper
1000 times better design
(Image source: Alex Zarour, Virtually Here Studios)
Remember the bedroom wallpaper that you loved but couldn’t find a place for? The spare room is the perfect place. It might be a tyrant in the master bedroom, but it’s perfect for a room that is only used occasionally. Keep the rest of the décor simple, with neutral colors and a simple headboard design.
“When designing a spare bedroom, I like to include colors and patterns that make sense in the home as a whole, says Kirsten Blazek of the design studio 1,000 times better. Pick a color you’ve used elsewhere in the house and include it in the style of the spare bedroom, so it doesn’t swing.” I also make sure that I think about functionality and convenience. I like to use quality bedding and mattress covers for extra comfort.”
4. Create a boutique hotel feeling
(Image credit: Raili Classen)
You see some great ideas when staying in boutique hotels, so consider incorporating some when designing your spare room at home. Wood panels are very fashionable right now and instantly add a modern feel to a room. Add funky lighting and contemporary art to complete the look. Simple luxury bedroom design.
“For years, we treated the spare bedrooms in our projects as secondary rooms,” says interior designer Riley Clasen, who created the scheme. That was the room we used our clients’ previous furnishings they wanted to keep, and these rooms weren’t all-stars The brights of the house. We totally changed our style! Guestrooms should almost have a ‘You’re special and this room reflects you’ moment. Quality mattresses and bedding, then layer on the cool details. I love taking design opportunities in spare bedrooms so they feel like they’re in.” A boutique hotel” is more than “sterile and not fancy.”
5. Hang two mirrors to make the spare room appear larger
(Image credit: Kelling Designs)
The bedroom doesn’t really look complete unless the bed has a headboard. Make it the focal point of the room and it will also act as an anchor for the overall design scheme. This rich blue velvet look design with a contrasting raspberry red border adds a dose of color. The figure is reflected in the old mirrors on either side of the bed, away from the shot.
“If you have the space, a pair of matching bedside table on either side of the bed with matching lamps and shades flanked by matching mirrors on the back will add a coordinating finish to the room,” says Emma Deterding of Kelling Designs. ‘Mirrors will help bounce light back into the room giving you the illusion of space and brightness. As always, before showing off new furniture, look at the pieces you have and take advantage of any antiques or vintage. You can always upcycle tired and dated pieces and give them a new lease of life. This adds character and charm to the room.”
6. Pair pale walls with glossy furniture
(Image credit: Natalie Papier)
Introduce antique pieces like this dresser that’s painted a grassy green for an eclectic feel, and gold handles add to the mid-century look. Bedroom color ideas can be full of personality when you don’t need to sleep much. An antique bench makes a quirky side table, then add a pattern in the bedspread and rug. More bold colors are added in the unusual artwork and pillows.
“Spare bedroom designs should, in my opinion, be comfortable and functional,” says Natalie Papier. “I love the pale color on the wall to create a sense of serenity. It also gives you a chance to add a touch of sparkle to artwork and decor and mix texture patterns!”
7. Wrap the room in pattern
(Image credit: Vanderhurd)
Admittedly, we talked about keeping spare bedroom ideas simple earlier. But wouldn’t it be tempting to go a little wild in such a low-stakes room? You won’t be here much, so why not have fun?
The starting point for this scheme is Vanderhurd’s cheerful Stellar wallpaper in red, orange, and pink. It’s a bold statement, but, when paired with bedroom curtains, they create a committed and cohesive look.
The way to balance this is to tone down the colors of the furniture. The bed itself is faded, and the white pillows add crispness to the whole scheme.
8. Remember to store
Designed by Francesca Grace Home
(Photo source: Sam Wadieh)
Make sure guests feel right at home by providing plenty of bedroom storage space to put their clothes away, especially if they are going to be staying for a few days, including a rail and lots of hangers. Make the room cozy with fluffy pillows, and comfy bedside tables where they can put their personal items including all-important cell phone chargers.
“For me, home organizing is more than just putting furniture in the house, it’s about telling a story,” says designer Francesca Grace. ‘It can be hard for buyers to imagine how much furniture can fit into a room, especially when they are on the smaller side, which is why staging is important. When planning the designs for this home, I really wanted to show how much space could be used in a small spare bedroom. The trick Elegant is the sliding door on the wardrobe. ”
9. Play with style around neutral shades
(Photo credit: Amy Lamb, Native House Photography)
A choice of muted colors and subtle designs make this spare room by Lisa Gilmore design very serene. The wallpaper is neutral but with a smart design that gives it an almost 3D effect. The color is brought in with a sage green upholstered bed and coral curtains. Then for a touch of fun, a black and white leopard print on the seat. An en suite bathroom makes this guest room in a luxury waterfront apartment in Tierra Verde, Florida, completely self-contained.
“One of the things I think is important to include in a spare room is the attractive, comfortable linens,” says Lisa Gilmore. “Other places are places to rest and unpack and books to spark curiosity while on vacation – preferably local to the area to let guests know where they are visiting.”
10. Or just be really bold!
Designed by Michael Nussbaumer
(Photo credit: Douglas Friedman)
A spare room is a good place to experiment with ideas that you might not be brave enough to have in the master bedroom (or just can’t impress your other half), so let your imagination run wild and pick the decoration you’ve always wanted to try.
These spare bedroom ideas included patterned walls, a four-poster bed with Indian textiles, and old-fashioned pictures in gilded frames. It’s a favorite theme of designer Michelle Nussbaumer and she used it beautifully here on her Mexico vacation home. This is a great way to display the pieces you’ve picked up on your travels.
“Spare bedrooms should always be functional, with the appropriate mirror and reading lamps on either side of the bed,” says Michele Nussbaumer, of Micheal Nussbaumer Design. “And a light bulb is soft enough that one person can read and the other can sleep. It is necessary to take into account all these details of life.”
What is the best color for the spare room?
“For an additional bedroom,” says interior designer Shalini Misra, “create a serene space in calming, muted colors like light blue and dark gray.” These colors promote serenity and non-confrontation, and encourage a sense of calm which is very desirable in a home. Blue is also considered a rich color and exudes a sense of luxury. Edges and eaves can be a darker color to add a design element without being overpowering. Add pattern through the pillows and a border on the fitted sheet. “
