Cozy and Inviting Guest Room Retreat

Being a hostess is so fun for me.  I host both mine and my husband’s family together every year for Thanksgiving and I love it.  It gives me so much joy to make a cozy and inviting setting where everyone can relax and enjoy being together.  And if they are spending the night with us I want to make sure to have a cozy and inviting guest room retreat.

With that thought in mind, I was planning how to best set up my guest room.  I don’t even have a guest room at the moment.  The room is full of all the things that we don’t know what to do with yet.  I’ll admit that much of what’s left down there probably will end up at the Salvation Army or given away to family or friends.

I’ve put together a plan for a cozy and inviting guest room retreat that will have our guests never wanting to leave.

What makes a room feel cozy and inviting?

So I’m sitting in a really nice hotel right now.  I’ve been thinking about what makes a hotel like this feel so luxurious.  Neal had to go to California this week on a business trip and he insisted that the girls and I have a little girl’s staycation.  We decided that a spa/hotel stay was just the ticket.

What do I love about staying here?  First, the bed.  Sheets that are soft and feel amazing.  Down comforter that just the right weight and they have both foam and feather pillows so that everyone has what they love.  Ahhh.  Cozy and relaxing.

All this relaxing got me thinking.  The most important thing to keep in mind when designing a guest bedroom is anticipating the needs of the guest.  So let’s break it down and get into this plan for a cozy and inviting guest bedroom retreat.  Shall we…?

Cozy and Inviting Bed

Let’s start with the most important part of the room…the bed of course.  What makes up a cozy bed?

First, you want to make sure that you have a nice mattress.  Nobody wants to sleep on your college or childhood mattress.  That’s the easiest way to make sure that your guest leaves as fast as possible.  It doesn’t have to be expensive just something with medium support and clean.

Next, use the highest quality sheets you can afford and layers of blankets so that the guest can have as much or as little as they need.  I like to have a quilt over the sheets and then have a comforter folded at the bottom of the bed so I can pull it up if I need it.

Now, have a few different kinds of pillows available.  Some people have allergies and so they need foam or a down alternative.

If you like throw pillow on your beds, and I do.  Add a large basket on the floor so when they are ready to go to bed they can put all your pillows in the basket.  I also like to have a bench at the end of the bed so they can set up their suitcase.

Make sure that you wash all the linens on the bed if they have been on the bed for a while.  It is so amazing to crawl in a bed that smells like it just came out of the dryer.  Do you agree?

I pulled together the products that we used to set up our bedrooms in our Florida condo.  I tried to get the best quality I could for the best price.  Our guests really love all the bedding and often ask me where I got it all.

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Brermer Soft Queen Goose Down Alternative Comforter, All Seasons

Room Set-Up

When I know I’m going to have a guest coming I like to go through the room and make sure that I declutter and remove and personal things that I might have in the room.  This way my guests will feel free to spread out and make themselves at home.  

Now anticipating what they might need, I add those things to the room.  Starting with a couple bottles of water, a pen and some paper, some books or magazines to read before bed, a fan and a couple of extra blankets.

I like to have the nightstand set up with a lamp, a clock, a charging station for their phone, a tray for jewelry, a small printout with the wifi password and a sound machine I can’t sleep at all if it’s too quiet).  

Since working on this project I’ve been pulling together the things that I will need to set up our Cozy and Inviting Guest Room Retreat.  I’m including the products that I’m purchasing in case you need these items as well.  The alarm clock has the charging station built in so I can save space in the nightstand. and this sleep machine is adorable don’t you think?

12″ Retro Table Fan

The Guest Bath

So now we have a nice cozy bedroom set up.  Let's talk about the bath your guest will be using.

I like to make sure that I lay the towels out that they will be using so they don't have to hunt around for them.   I like to use all-white towels at my house that way I can bleach that and keep them looking fresh and like new.

You want to make sure they are fluffy and smell freshly laundered like your sheets.

I also like to have a basket on the counter that has a mixture of shampoos and other toiletries so that if they forget something they have it right there.  Nothing worse than getting ready to take a shower and realizing that you don't have everything you need.  Right?

I thought I’d include a few of the smaller things that I either already use or have bought for this guest and bath for your convenience.

I’ve used these hooks all over my house.  I use them for towel hooks, and in my girl’s closet for purses and bags.  They are really perfect for so many things.  

I love these candles!  They smell great and I love the black and white packaging.  

I needed a lightweight robe and this one is great.  I get so hot when I’m drying my hair and putting on my makeup and this one is a great weight.

Isn’t this basket super cute?  It will be perfect for extra toiletries for this bath.

White Oak Farmhouse is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com.

Spectrum Diversified Twist Wire Storage Basket

Do you have bookcases in your guest bedroom? Be sure to check out my post on styling your bookcases like a pro here.

I hope this post has helped you get a good idea of what you will need in order to make your guest room a cozy and inviting retreat.  I know that I am ready to get started on my own guest room.

Make sure to comment below if I’ve missed anything and attach a picture of your own cozy guest room.  I’ve love to see them.

Have a great one!

Christy