Why The Guest Room Is The Most Revealing Room In The House
From sumptuous linens and delectably scented candles to the thoughtful little luxuries that make guests appreciate the sanctuary of a home away from home – a guest room tells a fascinating story. Here’s how to make yours a pleasure to stay in. By NATASHA BIRD
“Hosting is a way of showing the people you love how much they mean to you,” says author and interiors devotee Katharine Ormerod. That sentiment carries most weight for overnight guests, who experience your home more completely than those who dip in and out for a dinner. A spare room is a space designed almost exclusively for the pleasure of others. It offers a particularly intimate picture into your hospitality ethos. So, the guest bedroom is, in some ways, a window into who you are.
Gwyneth Paltrow’s Montecito guest house, for example, is designed to capture the indulgence of a private wellness retreat, complete with Goop beauty essentials on offer to anyone who stays. Oprah Winfrey, meanwhile, has perfected welcome basket curation, filling them with little things that make a visitor feel particularly cherished. Creating a wonderful guest room needn’t require a Hollywood property or a detached guest house, of course. A beautiful candle, a stack of carefully chosen books and a freshly pressed pillowcase can communicate just as much affection. And for all the other ways to make a guest room feel like a luxurious experience, we spoke to four interiors experts for their tips.
Create a home from home
“I have always had house guests,” Ormerod continues, “because my parents have always been abroad and my social circle is based as much in LA and NYC as London. I’ve always dreamed of having the house that people congregate in – a sanctuary when things are hard but also a space for celebration and making memories. Ultimately, I want everyone who visits to feel comfortable and treat it like a home from home.”
“Some want it to feel polished and perfect,” says interior designer Birdie Fortescue, “while others are more interested in creating a relaxed, homely room where you can fully switch off.”
The trick is to approach a spare room with the same enthusiasm you would your own bedroom, selecting pieces that express your personal taste, while allowing your guest to make themselves comfortable. An interesting piece of art, striking Tekla bedsheets, a full set of fluffy Autumn Sonata towels, a Ginori 1735 Oriente Italiano porcelain jewelry box for them to leave their rings in overnight.
“A spare room should have its own character and feel like a proper room in the house, rather than an afterthought or a less important space,” agrees Sarah Brown, founder and creative director of Sarah Brown Interiors. “The room should feel considered and comfortable, but never too perfect so the guest can’t relax.”
GINORI 1735Oriente Italiano porcelain box
AUTUMN SONATAKarin Essential set of four organic cotton-terry towels
TEKLAStriped organic cotton-percale king duvet cover
THE HOUSE OF LYRIABelize fringed striped wool and cashmere-blend throw
Spoil them with a sleep-in
Not all of us can create a wellness spa on the property à la Gwyneth Paltrow, but we can go a long way to ensuring guests feel nicely rested. Naturally, the bed deserves top billing. This is an opportunity to indulge in the kind of elegantly layered arrangement that makes getting up again the next morning feel like an unreasonable request. Think crisp cotton sheets, generous pillows and a cashmere throw in case it gets chilly.
“Beautiful, tactile fabrics are key,” says designer Tori Murphy. “Curtains should be well lined to block out the light for a good night’s sleep and consider a sheer blind to use during the day if the room is overlooked. I always encourage guests to enjoy a sleep-in – and a good mattress, sumptuous headboard and plenty of soft pillows and cushions to sink into make all the difference.”
Beyond the bed, consider how your guests will unwind as dusk sets in, or how they will get going again the next day. A flattering Louis Poulsen bedside lamp, for example, or a comfortable chair by the window, for late night book-reading. Somewhere to set a morning cup of coffee, with a La DoubleJ pouf to prop their feet on. Beautifully soft towels, a luxurious handwash and a selection of toiletries are a lovely way to transform the stay into an invitation, rather than just a happenstance.
And never underestimate the importance of somewhere to unpack. A cleared drawer, an empty rail with hangers and a little space to set down a suitcase are small gestures that say “we’ve made room for you.”
THE ELDER STATESMANSuper Soft cashmere throw
LA DOUBLEJBabà printed canvas pouf
TEKLASet of three organic cotton-terry towels
THE HOUSE OF LYRIAAnesio linen cushion
The pleasure is in the details
“I take a lot of time making sure the linen is pressed,” says Ormerod, “filling the room with fresh flowers, a carafe of cool water and a little basket with beauty products and snacks. There’s a heated blanket and a fan in the cupboard, phone chargers and adapters in the drawers. I also always offer some magazines and books I think they might like.”
Hers is an approach well worth borrowing, particularly the idea of tailoring a room to its occupant. Perhaps your friend has a penchant for lengthy night-time routines, in which case a beautifully presented selection of gua sha and skin oils might delight her. An avid reader might pore over a carefully curated selection of books. For someone who loves a little competition? A backgammon set or a unique deck of playing cards. It’s these little details that make hosting such a creative pleasure – and enchanting to be on the receiving end of, too.
Ultimately, the most luxurious thing you can offer a guest is the feeling that they are genuinely wanted. And the greatest compliment for your efforts, are the guests that love coming back.
LOUISE ROE+ Sophia Roe S.R Collection Bubble glass carafe
L'OBJET+ Fortuny wood backgammon set
LOEWE PERFUMESBeetroot scented candle, 350g
