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With the festive season just around the corner, many of us will already have begun sorting out our homes in anticipation of the visitors we get around this wonderful time of year.

And, while you might have already laid out big plans for the communal areas like the kitchen and lounge, there are some spots you may tend to overlook such as the guest bedroom.

This additional space in your home is perfect for hosting friends and family overnight during the holidays. But, if your guest room hasn’t been used much this year, you may feel it’s due a refresh and be on the hunt for the perfect Sleep Number Bed Alternative to help get the ball rolling with this. To help you out even further, we’ve rounded up our top five tips for getting your guest bedroom ready for the busy party season.

Get your bedding winter-ready

You’ll want to give your guests a luxury experience and a place they can sleep soundly, and nothing says a good night’s sleep like cosy bedding. With the colder weather setting in, we recommend switching your lightweight summer duvet for a thicker winter-weight choice — around 13.5 Tog will ensure your guests are cosy. For all your bedding needs, we recommend heading to sleep specialists Dormeo. They have a great selection of bedding, mattresses, and more to ensure your guests will sleep easy. And, with options like their Autumn/Winter bedroom bundle, which includes a pillow,  mattress protector and 13.5 Tog duvet, you’re sure to be offering your guests the best quality and comfort this winter.

You might also want to rethink your bed linen. While summer would’ve welcomed cool blues and sunny yellows, in winter you’ll want to opt for much richer, darker colours and metallics. However, if you want a more timeless look that’ll seamlessly see you through into the new year, white or creams are versatile choices that work for all seasons.

Add complementary soft furnishings

Winter is a time for layering, and that doesn’t just go for your clothes! Adding scatter cushions, throws, and extra blankets to complement the décor in your guest bedroom is one way to ensure it’s a cosy space for your visitors. When considering what colours to layer over each other, it’s worth thinking about what aesthetic you’re going for. For example, you can add luxury-looking touches that are still affordable with rich jewel tones like emerald green and ruby red, as well as metallic shades. We love the cushion collection from Cushions.co.uk. With snowy whites, glistening metallics, and faux fur designs available, they’re the perfect solution for getting your guestroom winter-ready.

You may also want to add a cosy rug. This is particularly useful if your guest bedroom has wooden flooring, which can make the room feel cold. A sheepskin rug like the ones from The Rugs Warehouse will be ideal for this and, as they come in a wide range of colours, shapes, and sizes, you’re sure to find the right one to suit your space.

Create a cosy ambience

While a pared back approach might be better for some tastes and budgets, you can win some extra brownie points from your guests by adding comfort and cosiness in ways other than the furnishings. Choosing some wintry scented candles like the ones from Yankee Candle’s Christmas collection will add to the homely feel of the room, and will ensure it always smells fresh and welcoming.

You could further enhance this ambience by placing a bedside lamp on either side of the bed, or by having a floor lamp. The selection from Iconic Lights has both of these options available, so you’re bound to find the perfect lighting aesthetic for your guestroom.

Complete the room with accessories

Accessories can perfectly finish off the space and, best of all, they don’t have to break the bank. As well as adding small trinkets and ornaments, you can ensure that some of your accessories are functional as well as decorative. Plants are perfect for filling space in your guest bedroom, with some types such as Jasmine, Lavender, and Aloe Vera able to have a soothing effect on both the body and mind. Flowers can also have the same impact and will smell lovely and fresh.

You could also make the most of empty wall space by putting up some eye-catching pictures or posters. These are sure to make the space feel homelier and will give your guests something to admire.

Prepare them with spares

You can add some hotel chic to your guest bedroom by providing your visitors with items to make their stay more enjoyable, such as slippers and a dressing gown to help them combat the cold on a morning. You might also want to put some mini toiletries and towels in their bedroom — or en suite if you have one — to cover them for anything they may have forgotten.

Taking these small measures will help them to settle in better and they’re bound to appreciate it — especially if they’ve had a festive-filled evening the night before!

Neglecting the guest bedroom is something we’re all guilty of from time to time but, with these décor tips, you’ll be well on your way to refreshing yours in time for the festive season.

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