Home Home Decor Ideas Guest Room Décor Ideas That Will Prove Your Prowess as Hostess By Marissa Wu Marissa Wu Marissa Wu is an Editorial Fellow and Southern transplant by way of San Francisco, Boston, and Paris, France. She writes about anything and everything as it pertains to the South, but mostly home, food, and the occasional garden stories. Recipe reviews are a particular pleasure, as well as discovering the latest home trends.When not editing and producing articles or updating the homepage, she's trying new Southern Living recipes, jolting along in her manual transmission car, Fitz; hammering out a manuscript on her 1930s Royal Aristocrat typewriter, Georgie; and making film photographs with her Rolleiflex, Cecil.Marissa graduated from Boston University with a degree in journalism and a minor in French Studies. She still can't follow a football conversation but hopes her cheese straws make up for it. Southern Living's editorial guidelines Published on September 1, 2021 Share Tweet Pin Email Trending Videos Photo: Laurey Glenn The guests are coming…the guests are coming! You know the drill. Pull out your crispest bed linens, fluff the pillows, write out the Wi-Fi password…and then what? While hosting is fun and a great way to spend extra time with friends and family during their stay, it can also be a little stressful. Your hostess skills will have to stand up to the test. So, what does it take to create an amazing guest room that'll have visitors raving? The secret? It's all in the details. We tapped some design experts to get their tips and tricks on making your guest room an unforgettable experience. Guest room décor ideas range from personalized art to fresh plants and lots of pillows, to the practical things like storage and travel soaps. With these suggestions, you'll never wonder how to decorate a guest room ever again. And, dare we say, you can definitely give Airbnb a run for their money. 01 of 09 Plants Laurey Glenn "Fresh flowers or plants provide a mood-lifting space," says Mel Bean of Oklahoma-based Mel Bean Interiors. You can't fail to delight with a little greenery. Use a plant or flower you know your guests love, or that complement the color and texture of the room. 02 of 09 Artwork Laurey Glenn "Have fun. Personalize the space for guests," Bean continues. "Add photos or artwork that will remind them of past visits or times together." If you find yourself hosting often, it may not be practical to put up personalized photos, but they do make great gifts! As for the room décor, opt for something that showcases your personality or a beloved local spot in town. 03 of 09 Designated Sitting Area Molly Culver Guests staying for a while? They may want some alone time. "Create a sitting area where guests can read a book or relax," shares Mary Patton of Houston-based Mary Patton Design. Though it's great to spend time together, eventually, everyone may want a few moments to relax and drift off to decompress, and giving your guests a designated space (instead of just the bed) is a thoughtful touch. 04 of 09 Great Linens and Pillows Molly Culver No traveler can enjoy the sites if they haven't got a good night's sleep! "Outfit the space with comfortable and colorful linens," Patton adds. "Offer a selection of pillows with various degrees of firmness." 05 of 09 The Forgotten Necessities Haylei Smith Lance Thomas of Louisiana-based Thomas Guy Interiors lists must-haves as, "a small hamper, extra throw blankets, a mirror, and an alarm clock." It's always the little things that are often forgotten, but when remembered can take a stay over the top. 06 of 09 Personal Touches House of One Hosting is also an opportunity to let your own style have a moment. Brittany Farinas of South Florida-based House of One Interior Design shares, "I recommend leaving reading materials, such as favorite books or a local magazine in a guest room. Also, providing a tray or catchall for personal items is a nice touch." 07 of 09 Storage BlueGrape Don't leave guests wondering where to leave their suitcases. Designers at BlueGrape Staging say must-haves include, "Comfortable pillows, side tables with storage, and a luggage rack." 08 of 09 Window Treatments Stoneside Blinds & Shades Window treatments might be an afterthought, but they're no less important. Design Consultant James Brewer at Stoneside Blinds and Shades says, "Choose the right window treatments in a guest room to allow for a good night's sleep. I love incorporating motorization into window shades as it gives guests the ability to adjust the shades based on the many changes of light throughout the day." 09 of 09 Bathroom Touches NOMI The designers at Dallas-based NOMI custom bathroom designs say, "Don't forget to leave personalized touches in the guest bath. Shop locally-made soaps, candles, and fresh flowers so guests can further experience what your location has to offer." Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Tell us why! Other Submit