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Stylish guest bedroom ideas

Yvonne kneel product designer holding roman blindAuthor Yvonne KealProduct Management SpecialistWritten 13/06/2019
Victoria Robinson product manager Editor Victoria RobinsonProduct ManagerUpdated 02/10/2026

Ideas to create a welcoming space 

Give your guests a space they’ll love spending time in with thoughtful touches that balance style and comfort. From getting the lighting right and layering cosy textures, to choosing practical window dressings and calming colours, discover simple ways to turn your guest bedroom into a welcoming retreat for every visitor. 

A bed adorned with patterned blue and white linens rests near a wooden side table with a vase of white flowers, under a window framed by sheer and floral curtains in a cozy room.

1. Get the lighting right

A restful guest bedroom starts with getting the light levels just right. For a darker, cosier feel at bedtime, choose curtains with a blackout lining to help block unwanted light and create a more restful environment. Designed with thermal properties, blackout curtains help to keep rooms warmer when temperatures drop. 

During the day, layer blackout curtains with Voiles to make the most of natural light while giving your guests privacy. The lightweight, sheer fabric gently filters daylight, helping the room feel bright and welcoming. 

  • “My favourite tip for creating a cosy winter retreat while letting in more light is to pair Voiles with heavier curtains. This combination allows soft, natural light to flood your space during the day, while the heavier curtains add warmth and texture for those chilly evenings.” 

    Abigail Ahern, Influential tastemaker and pioneering designer

2. Add texture

Textural fabrics are amazing for the cooler months when we want to snuggle in and keep the chill out. Make sure your guests are cosy by layering plenty of soft furnishings like throws in chunky knits, faux-fur and felted fabrics to curl up in. 

For added warmth, carry texture through to your window dressings with Vertical blinds in Zelda Brick. The velvet fabric and rich terracotta colour bring a cocooning feel to the room, working beautifully alongside earthy greens and layers of tactile soft furnishings. 

  • “To create a cosy atmosphere with window dressings, choose relaxing shades in soft earthy colours which are associated with serenity and relaxation. These colours help you feel cocooned at the same time as being stylish. Take it one step further and concentrate on the texture of the fabrics and opt for textures that tantalise the senses and feel welcoming.” 

    Abigail Ahern, Influential tastemaker and pioneering designer

3. Grown-up spaces

If you're hosting young guests, our range of children's blinds and curtains have plenty of playful patterns and prints to suit little ones to teens. These fabrics are designed to seamlessly fit into changing tastes, easily slipping into multiple décor revamps through the years as kids grow up. 

We’ve chosen a Reagan Blackout Monochrome Roller blind for this minimalist bedroom. Paired with neutral walls and playful furnishings, it creates a sophisticated black and white scheme. 

4. Multi-purpose rooms

Looking for guest bedroom ideas? Think beyond where visitors will sleep and consider how the room can work for you throughout the year. A spare bedroom can easily double as a home office or dressing room when guests aren’t staying. 

If you’re short on space, a compact or fold-away desk can create a practical working area, while clever storage helps keep everyday clutter tucked away. Explore our home office ideas for more inspiration on creating a space that balances style and practicality. 

5. Create a calming oasis

If you've a busy home, that can sometimes get a little chaotic and loud then guests will be grateful for a calm and serene space to retreat to. 

Take inspiration from our William Morris collection, created in collaboration with the V&A which brings beautiful, heritage pattern into the home. Strawberry Thief Dawn is the perfect example. The playful scene flows across the Roman blind, bringing charm and character to the window, while the soft pastel colourway complements the room’s restful scheme. 

  • “The intricate patterns of William Morris designs are everything. As our home is neutral, having that pop of colour from the window dressing has completely awakened the space… and provides that element of bringing the outside in.” 

    Lucinda Kimmins, Interiors content creator

Mustard yellow blackout Pleated blinds dressed on windows in bedroom. Light pink Voile curtains are hanging over the blinds. Matching mustard and grey cushions have been placed on the bed.

6. Year-round comfort

It's important your guests feel comfortable no matter what time of year they are staying with you, so choose a window solution that can do it all. 

Our cleverly designed honeycomb blinds trap air at the window, creating an insulating layer and reducing heat loss by up to 55%. This helps keeps guest rooms warm and cosy when it’s cold outside, while maintaining a comfortable temperature on sunnier days. 

White bedroom with tall narrow window dressed in pale wood venentian blind, closed and tilted open, bed with white bedding with ochre throw, small ficus in raffia basket, cream carpet, rug in shades of saffron, umbre and ochre in linear pattern.

Key takeaways: our spare bedroom ideas

  • Balance light and privacy with practical, layered window dressings. 
  • Add warmth and personality with cosy textures, calming colours and playful patterns. 
  • Make the space work harder by doubling the room as a home office or dressing room. 
  • Prioritise year-round comfort to create a welcoming home away from home. 

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