Style Guide: Guest Bedrooms

Upstairs Bedroom

In this warm wood-paneled room, traditional and modern items are skillfully mixed to create a funky look. Sleek red metal lamps flank a vintage iron bed. A graphic Suzani-style coverlet combines with classic checked pillowcases and a ticking-striped bed skirt, all in the homeowner’s favorite black, mustard, and red color combination.

Sunny Guest Retreat

Thanks to a cheerful application of color and a new storage armoire, this homeowner has a place for her shoes and the in-laws. A mix of three different florals yields a layered look. A nail-studded fabric headboard, matching bed skirt, and wall sconces make for a grand bed.

Heirloom Makeover

Two heirloom pieces—the homeowner’s great-grandmother’s four-poster bed and her grandfather’s writing desk—anchor this room. When it came to updating the antique bed, she started with solid bed linens. She also found a lively fabric for both the bed skirt and canopy. With its well-tailored appearance, the bed now lives up to the distinction of being a treasured piece.

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Inspired Room

The designer of this furniture was inspired by a door frame in a historic Lowcountry cottage. Though this bedroom is graciously sized, the architect took advantage of the dormers to build in shelves and window seats.

Soft Luxury

Soft colors and lush carpet make it the perfect restful getaway suite. The bed is positioned to take advantage of an amazing mountain view.

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Antique Appeal

Soft and graceful, the room reflects timeless style with its shades of caramel, coffee, café au lait, and gold. Luxury prevails with the antique bed and hand-printed cotton duvet. Also featured is an oversize chair in a rich caramel-colored fabric with gray trim. Shells, plates, and ornate frames are used as decorative touches.

Eclectic Guest Room

These vintage beds are dressed with mix-and-match linens. Color is added to the room with an antique Bolivian rug. The vintage bird prints were a lucky antiques store find. Style Tip: Hang a collection of inexpensive framed prints as a group for more impact.

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Welcoming Room

A custom headboard upholstered in crewel inspires the rest of the room. Coordinating bed linens, simple draperies, and a space-enlarging mirror make this the kind of room visitors won’t want to leave.

Black, White, and Blue

The graphic black-and-white bedding on simple pencil post beds makes a bold statement in this tranquil guest room.

Color Couplet

Chocolate brown and pale blue are a perfect pair. Avoid baby blue and aim for a dusky, grayer hue. The bedding, covered in brown circles, adds a mod touch to the traditional room. More brown is pulled in with an upholstered headboard. The same cotton fabric covers two lampshades. Above the bed, a sunburst mirror repeats the circle pattern on the bedding but with added flair.

Versatile Living

This garage apartment and guest suite features a Murphy bed that folds up to create an open living area. Curtains can be drawn across the cubby when the bed is folded.

A Room with a View

The headboard in this guest bedroom backs up to the porch windows. Other windows look onto views of the valley. Even when the windows are closed, the sound of the rushing creek can be heard. The bed offers extra storage with shelves above and drawers below. Matching side tables hold Tiffany lamps.

Rustic Retreat

A distinctive bed establishes the rustic decorative tone of this bedroom. While light on pattern, the space is heavy on interesting textures.

Inviting Elegance

A luxurious plush carpet and basket of reading materials invite guests to kick off their shoes and stay awhile.

Sister Suite

The bedroom provides space for the homeowner’s two sisters and their luggage, with room to spare for a convenient desk area.
Upholstered headboards give both twin beds more presence and create symmetry on either side of the window. Pale yellow quilts continue the light feel established on the walls. Storage cubes at the end of each bed pull double duty as suitcase stands when company comes.

Classic Blue & Yellow Bedroom

A classic palette of blue and yellow gets a punchy modern update in this bedroom makeover, filled with fresh ideas for budget decorating.

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Warm Coral Hues

Bright, warm colors in fabrics and accesories really pop against white walls in this bold bedroom.

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