DESIGN HANDBOOK
What do your girlfriends from college have in common with your overstaying in-laws? They will both be in need of a great guest room when they stay over this summer. The summertime is the season for beautiful weather and spontaneous visits, so there’s no doubt that you’ll be designing guest bedrooms that need to be easy to maintain yet fit for a bed and breakfast (while maintaining the integrity of the rest of the house).
Putting a lot of time and dedication into the guest room shows your devotion and care for others as a host. After all, people tend to define the places they stay at by how they remember them…so let’s try to erase the memories of the ol’ blow-up mattress and prepare a guest room you can show off with pride.
Designer Furniture, Lighting & Decor From Kathy Kuo Home
Solution: Consider French Country with elements of Modern Classic. If our guest bedroom had a mouth, we’d want it to say “Come inside, feel good, and stay for a while.” Well, I suppose we wouldn’t want it to say anything at all since a haunted talking bedroom might frighten off guests Scooby-Doo style. But the point is, we want people to feel welcome. For this reason, one of our favorite styles for the guest bedroom is French Country.
Make your space reminiscent of lavender fields dappled with sunshine, a welcoming old-world aesthetic composed of warm whites, fluted or ribbed wood detailing, and rustic decor. Make sure there is plenty of natural lighting for your guests to wake up to; some good vitamin D is always a great way to start the day! Lastly, make sure to add a rug to your hardwood floors. Nothing feels more satisfying and familiar than stepping onto soft carpeting. We love the subtle patterns in the photo featured above as well as the gorgeous white, tufted day bed.
Solution: Stay Neutral. While we’re in total support of colored walls and patterned wallpaper for your main rooms, the guest bedroom should remain neutral and a perfect fit for any type of house guest. Neutral colors are classic, never go out of style, and are very soothing and calming for your visitors. Imagine the room above with brightly colored walls or decor. It definitely wouldn’t offer the same sense of serenity.
Neutral backdrops also serve as the perfect template for creating a layered look because they show off the furniture and textures featured in a room. Don’t let your neutral room become boring! Throw in a pretty printed or embroidered pillow or interesting wall sculpture. If you know your guest does happen to really love color, the neutral backdrop can accentuate any specialty piece you want to throw in last minute.
Solution: Embrace it. Think of all the good things that come in small packages: fun-sized candy, engagement rings, the Kuotes’ 5’7″ content editor Cal… the list goes on. Don’t see a small room. See a design opportunity! First, make sure the room is free of clutter. Make the bed the focal point of the room, and select only a few other pieces of space-saving furniture, like some nesting side tables or floor baskets.
If your room is small but has a high ceiling, accentuate the vertical space with a canopy bed. If you’re stuck with low ceilings, use the inspiration from the featured room above and paint the walls in horizontal stripes. Lastly, leaving a lot of empty space to live in the room does not mean a lack of decor! In small rooms, utilize the wall space. Cover your walls in dramatic pieces that add definition through decor in a room that may not be defined by furniture. Another suggestion: mirrors on the wall can expand the space to look twice as big!
Need design help? In addition to being a source for beautiful high quality furnishings and decor, Kathy Kuo Home has a team of professional interior designers that are ready to assist with all of your interior design needs. Our services provide multiple layout and design options that fit your style and budget for any room. You will work with a team of designers and project managers to help you truly love where you live.
Call (888) 908-3486 or email designs@kathykuohome.com today to get started!
Need design help? In addition to being a source for beautiful high quality furnishings and decor, Kathy Kuo Home has a team of professional interior designers that are ready to assist with all of your interior design needs. Our services provide multiple layout and design options that fit your style and budget for any room. You will work with a team of designers and project managers to help you truly love where you live.
Call (888) 908-3486 or email designs@kathykuohome.com today to get started!
