The best guest rooms anticipate what visitors might need before they have to ask. Interior designer Brian Gluckstein’s guest room design tips begin with a simple exercise: spend a night or two in the room yourself. You’ll quickly discover whether there’s a convenient place to charge your phone, enough light to read, or a way to keep the room dark in the morning. Those everyday experiences are a useful starting point for creating a welcoming stay.

Put the bed first

Brian considers the bed the most important piece in a guest room. If the room is dedicated to overnight visitors, he prefers a proper bed to a pull-out sofa. In a home office or den that occasionally accommodates guests, a sofa bed can make sense.

Where space allows, Brian favours a king, with a queen as his next choice. Consider how the bed fits alongside the other essentials, including bedside surfaces and a clear route through the room.

An upholstered headboard or a well-chosen frame gives the room an anchor. From there, focus on comfortable bedding rather than filling the bed with decorative layers.

Give guests control over their comfort

Brian recommends quality cotton sheets, comfortable pillows, and a duvet, with an extra layer guests can add or remove. His guest room design tips favour flexibility: avoid bedding that assumes everyone likes the same level of warmth.

A folded throw at the foot of the bed gives visitors an option for cooler nights. If you use decorative pillows, leave somewhere convenient to put them when it’s time to sleep.

For colour, Brian prefers neutrals or soft, moody shades that help the room feel restful. Pattern can bring personality to the bed without making the whole space feel busy.

Make room for belongings

Guests should have somewhere to unpack, even for a short visit. Brian recommends nightstands with drawers and, where there’s no closet, an armoire. An antique armoire can add character as well as storage.

A folding luggage rack keeps suitcases off the bed and makes belongings easy to reach. A full-length mirror is another useful addition, along with a small tray for jewellery or a watch.

In a compact room, prioritize these everyday needs before adding more furniture. A desk or vanity can be helpful if there’s space, but a clear bedside surface and somewhere to put a bag matter more than a crowded layout.

Make lighting and privacy easy to manage

Good bedside lighting lets guests read and switch off the light without getting out of bed. Brian pairs it with overhead lighting on a dimmer so the room can feel bright when needed and softer in the evening.

Window treatments deserve the same attention. Combine privacy with the ability to darken the room, using blinds and drapery where appropriate. Test them during your own overnight stay; a room that looks restful at bedtime may feel quite different in early morning light.

Add personality without overcrowding

Brian’s guest room design tips leave room for the space to have its own character. It doesn’t need to match every other room in the house, but it should feel connected to the home.

Textured wallpaper, soft neutrals, muted blues, or greys can bring warmth and depth. An area rug adds comfort underfoot and helps soften sound. Choose a size that relates to the bed and surrounding furniture so it feels part of the room.

In a small space, one or two considered details can be enough. A modest flower arrangement is welcoming, provided it leaves room on the nightstand for a glass of water and personal belongings.

Extend the welcome to the bathroom

Fresh, soft towels and a few spare toiletries make a guest bathroom feel ready for visitors. Brian suggests keeping essentials such as shampoo, conditioner, moisturizer, and a spare toothbrush available, along with a hair dryer.

If you’re updating an ensuite, he favours a vanity with drawers so guests can put away their toiletries. Good mirror lighting and a clear countertop make getting ready easier.

Before guests arrive, return to Brian’s overnight test. The most valuable guest room design tips are often the ones you discover by using the space: an accessible outlet, a better pillow, or a bedside light within easy reach.

Photography Stacey Brandford (1), Angus Fergusson (2)