There are a few simple rules

for making overnight guests feel at ease during challenging times. Here’s some advice to getting it just right.

When friends or relatives arrive for the holidays, or at any other time during the year, it's good to have a welcoming place to put them, somewhat removed from the fray of everyday life.

Traveling can be a stressful and tiring experience, so it's nice to offer your guests a place where they can relax and recharge. It's about being mindful of who your guests are, how they live, and that they are calm and at peace when staying at your home.

A well-designed guest room, if you have the space, can make a huge difference.

Guestrooms are used less frequently than other rooms and can end up being a place to dump unwanted furniture and unused items. However, if you are expecting visitors this holiday, it's time to clear out the clutter and add a few thoughtful finishing touches. The details really make a huge difference. But be forewarned: Creating a guest room that visitors will never want to leave can be a blessing and a curse.

A guest bedroom is a place to have fun and maybe do something a bit unexpected. For example, adding wallpaper or strong print can make a room interesting. Versus a primary or regular bedroom.
Often, most people would like to keep it simple. You want a room to have personality and style that ties into the aesthetic of the rest of the home, but not too extreme or specific. Choosing colors and patterns that are universally appealing is key. It should be a place where everyone would want to sleep in.

The choice is a personal one and it depends on the people you envision using the space. Your fashionable friends or your conservative grandparents, you'd want to communicate about your own sense of style.
A guest room should not be a room where you fill it up with old lumpy mattresses that would be better left on the side of a curb. (Or better yet, how about properly recycled!)

Focus on the Basics

It should provide the basics of a decent hotel room. A really comfortable mattress or high-end bedding. Nightstands and lamps would make a great additional touch for reading in the bedroom. Or even a rug if the room has hardwood, stone, or ceramic floors.
Some storage rooms will be great for your guests as they will have luggage that they want to store away or make room for when they unpack their personal belongings to settle in. Having basic space to store luggage be it on a rack or closet will be truly appreciated by your guest. Simple things like a dresser, armoire, or closet can make a huge difference.
Even with inexpensive furniture, it's possible to give a room a luxurious feeling using textiles. Start by focusing on the bed.

Fresh, clean sheets are nonnegotiable. Think about offering several different options for warmth. Some people run hot, some run cold, you just never know how they are going to sleep. You can offer a quilt, duvet, or blanket so people have the option to adjust their layers.

Pillow preference is another unknown, so it's helpful to provide multiple options with various levels of firmness. As well as optional throw pillows that can serve as back support for sitting up in bed.
Whether the room is an en suite or down the hall, it should always be stocked with fresh towels and washcloths. If the bathroom is shared, guests should have designated towel bars, racks, or hooks to keep their bath linens separate, especially with heightened concerns about germs in the midst of the pandemic.

Make sure your guest room has appropriate window coverings. Rooms can get a lot of sunlight pouring in and you should have blackout shades or drapery, perhaps with a second layer of sheer curtains too.

Add a Seating Area and Maybe a Work Space

Even the most sociable guests will eventually want a little time to themselves. To give them a place to go, try including a seating area in the guest room, if there's enough space.
It really could be as simple as placing a single lounge chair, or a small side table, floor lamp in the corner of the room. Also, consider if it's possible to squeeze in a desk. People want a workspace for their guests or for themselves in that room since the pandemic has made remote work the new norm. Even a mounted work desk and a chair would suffice.

Introduce Accessories

Adding a few thoughtful touches can really make the room feel extra special and cozy. Also, by adding a coffee and tea station, as well as bottles of water in guest rooms. If you don't have room for small appliances, place a carafe with a cup-shaped lid on the nightstand so guests don't have to walk to the kitchen for a middle-of-the-night drink of water.

Small things like a water carafe on a night stand, in this room designed by BNR Interiors, can make a big difference. Credit John Gruen

Decorative items like candles or flowers can also make a huge difference too. You might also consider providing hand sanitizer and wipes, tucked into the drawer of a nightstand or a basket for your guests in case they want to wipe surfaces down in their space. These are not glamorous things, but very thoughtful ways to ensure the safety and security of your guests.

In the end, the goal here is to make your guests feel as if they are staying in a luxury hotel.