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Mi casa, su casa: How to create a warm and inviting guest room

Here’s how to create a space to make loved ones feel right at home

A friend is arriving from out of town and your guest room has always been an afterthought. Or, perhaps your new-build is set to include a study that doubles as a spare bedroom. Now’s the time to bring it to life.

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Lighting with a soft, warm glow is essential for a comfortable guest room.

Comfort in mind

The comfort of your guest should be front of mind when you create a space to house loved ones. You want them to feel welcome, with all the practicalities they need to be met with the delight of a home.

Be organised

Your guest is visiting to reconnect with you, not watch you stress over making sure you have everything you need. Ensure everything is in place before they arrive and stick to the essentials. If a vase of flowers makes the space feel too cluttered, then leave it out; focus on a comfortable bed, quality linen and good pillows – not too thin, not too bulky, as well as somewhere to put their bag.

Make your space work

Not every home has space for a standalone guest room, so it’s easy to turn an existing room into a space that serves a guest, such as the living room or study. Your answer here is a sofa bed, whether in the living room or study. Space is at a premium in many homes, and you can get furniture that maximises every inch.

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How many guests?

You can even buy ottomans and armchairs that open out into sofa beds with mattresses; these are perfect for single guests. For a couple, a sofa bed would work perfectly. If your mattress feels like it’s on the firm side, you can always bring in a mattress topper when the sofa is pulled out.

Be sure to add extra pillows and blankets to make the space look cosy.

Can you assemble it?

You don’t want to be standing in the living room wrestling the sofa bed as your guests watch awkwardly; a decent sofa bed will have mechanisms that allow the bed to open with ease.

The magic touch

It’s the little touches that make your guests feel special, such as your best sheets, layers of comforting textiles such as a good quality duvet in a beautiful cover and a sumptuous quilt or blanket.

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The finishing touches are the icing on the cake and make guests feel like they’re at home. “Choose crowd-pleasing neutrals, add a floor mirror to make the room feel larger and for practical reasons, and layered lighting such as table and floor lamps to create a sense of calm. Higher beds feel more like a luxurious hotel and under-bed storage never goes astray for guests. Keep the hotel vibe alive with multiple towels and high-quality linen, and go the extra mile with a welcome tray including slippers, toothbrushes and toiletries. And never underestimate the importance of an additional armchair (remember this room is their entire home for the stay), but keep it slimline so you don’t take up the whole room,” says Mary.

A jug of water and a glass beside the bed is a nice touch, as is a vase of fresh flowers, extra blankets at the end of the bed and a towel and bathrobe. Provide a side table for phones, books and keys. Ensure there is a decent reading lamp with a soft, warm glow by the bed and make sure you have the hallway lights on a fraction, so they know where to find the bathroom during the night. Remember, comfort and ease are crucial to making your guests feel welcome during their stay.

Which bed works best?

While your guest has chosen not to stay in a hotel, you want to give them a quality sleep as if they had.

Sofa bed: space-saving and multi-functioning, sofa beds usually seat 2-3 people and sleep two people, suiting a lounge or study. Measure your room before shopping so you know your limits; this way, you know your purchase is a comfortable option for your space.

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Daybed: these tend to be single-sized. You don’t have to pull them out; they’re already made. Whether in the lounge, open-plan living area, study or spare bedroom, these are perfect for lounging on during the day and curling up with a book before settling down to slumber at night.

Chair bed and ottoman: the most economical option space-wise. When folded away, they sit in the room, taking up little space; when open, they provide a single bed.

Blow-up mattresses: easy to inflate and deflate; this is a handy option around the home if you don’t have space for a sofa bed. Some have built-in pumps with an extra supportive layer on top.

Clockwise from top left: Sydney Sofa Bed, $2,200, from Ecosa; Benji sofa bed, $3999, from Nood; Sueno wall bed with shelf, $4199 (queen), from Catchers Furniture; Sardinia sofa bed, $999, from Harvey Norman; Fusion daybed, $5879, from BoConcept.
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How to bring the space together visually?

Let colour and pattern do the talking; whether you choose soulful neutrals such as dusky mushroom pinks and smoky green or dark chocolate, use hues that evoke relaxation and restoration.

Balance this with texture in soft furnishings, artwork on the wall and a headboard in an eye-catching fabric that anchors the bed and draws the eye in. Black-out curtains ensure the sun doesn’t stream in too early, and if there are any electronic dimmer switches for lights, make sure your guest knows how to work these before the household goes to sleep.

Allow your space to have an easy flow. If something doesn’t have a purpose, question its need, says Freedom interior decorator Mary Thomas. “Choose slimline furniture with multiple functions like a sofa bed or a bed with storage underneath, and always choose bedsides with drawers. Ensure you include hooks on the back of doors. Although you should keep it minimal, it doesn’t mean clinical. Still, add the decor in gentle tones but keep it to pieces such as rugs, throws to add warmth, wall art, or a statement lamp.”

Clockwise from top left: Curio cushion cover, $109, from Citta; Baya Serenade throw, $89.90, from Flo & Frankie; Cabin wool blanket, $390, from Citta; Sage x Clare Ambar pillowcases, $129 (for two), from Otto’s Corner Store; Dry blanket, $250, from Slow Store; Shima scatter cushion, $69.95, from Freedom; Monti blanket, $399, from Country Road.
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Top tips from Kathrine McDonald, Kathrine McDonald Design

  • We installed a Murphy bed (wall-mounted foldaway) in our home, integrating it with office cabinetry so it looks like an office space but also functions as a bedroom.
  • If combining a Murphy bed into an office room, hide your printer in the office cabinetry and don’t forget to include power points for your guest’s easy access. By incorporating recessed wall lights behind the bed, you’ll offer task lighting, too.
  • If you have a sofa bed in the lounge, be mindful of the surrounding furniture, avoiding heavy tables and chairs that are awkward to shift if need be. If you need to move your coffee table to open out your sofa bed, a chunky stone coffee table is not ideal.
  • Any storage for bedding is an asset. When putting in a Murphy bed, ask the joiner to install cabinetry from the top of the bed to the ceiling for linen use in that space.
  • Bring in calm or punchy decor. We went with the latter in one home using bright, colourful cabinetry and artwork, softening the timber floor with rugs. Bring in a new carpet if it needs extra comfort. It depends on how the space is used and to how to apply decor. The thing about multifunctional spaces is that real estate is so expensive that every room in the house has to work hard.
  • A multi-purpose room is handy. How often do you use spare bedrooms? If you have one, it can also be a good breakout space for the kids. Pop a feature light in there for added character.
Clockwise from top left: Oasis towel set, $159.90, from Wallace Cotton; Fazeek carafe, $185, from Vaune Homestore; Rohld lamp, $409, from Freedom; Sammi lamp, $249, from Early Settler; Arched bedside table, $49, from Kmart; Irvine locker, $299, from Nood; Gia lamp, $159, from Early Settler.

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