How to Design the Best Guest Bedroom

Existing somewhat apart from a home’s daily activities, the guest bedroom is a room sometimes forgotten and often yearning for a little love. Easily consigned to a storage room, it can become the exclusive repository of boxes and baubles that don’t quite fit into our busy realities. If this rings true and you find your guest bedroom chock-full of this and that, with only a futon to wink at its original purpose, perhaps it’s time to reinvent this space as a sweet, stunning retreat. Let’s update these forgotten rooms as the holiday season approaches!

Full guest bedroom with patterned wallpaper and yellow décor accents. — “Be conscious of what you already have and what you already love. The mirrors and headboard are some big elements that I’d picked up over the years. Because I love them and am invested in them, I couldn’t just get rid of everything and start again. I incorporated what I had into my design,” Traci says.

FIND YOUR INSPIRATION

When designer Traci Zeller of Charlotte, North Carolina, redecorated her nice, but mostly neglected guest bedroom, the goal was to create a dreamy, functional get-away. So she collaborated with iconic heritage brand Laura Ashley. The combination of Laura Ashley’s romantic, rural aesthetic and Traci’s “crisp, classic and chic” sensibilities resulted in a room altogether bright, fresh and modern.

Guest bedroom corner featuring monogrammed pillow. — Make a room your own by incorporating your initials through pillow embroidery. Statement wallpaper mixed with a pale pink side table brings this space to another level.

For the ravishingly revamped look, Traci began with a distinct vision of how she wanted the room to feel. With a husband and twin sons, Traci finds that “boy world” vibes pervade her home. This guest room redo offered a chance to express an atmosphere of drama and updated femininity otherwise omitted from her interiors.

Desk area of guest bedroom with yellow accent chair. — Multifunctional chairs are important for a small space that may have to accommodate a whole host of tasks. In addition to providing comfort for both work and play, Traci’s chairs keep the atmosphere sunny and cozy. The British flag pillows pay homage to Laura Ashley’s roots across the pond and throw a jolt of contrasting color into the mix.

MAKE A STATEMENT

The drama of this room hinges on the show-stopping, garden-themed wallpaper. “This room would not be the same room without that wallpaper,” she says. “And though it’s a bold pattern, its soft colors make it appealing rather than overwhelming.” For the rest of the room, she decided to avoid the “greens and pinks that can make a room look like a little girl’s.” Choosing instead to ground it in neutrals and cheery yellows, with extra oomph supplied by the pair of upholstered, chamomile-colored armchairs.

Bedside wallpaper detail. — A mixture of different colors and textures is an easy way to make a simple space seem complex. A distinct organic feel brings a softness to the vignette.

MIX IT UP A BIT

With the wallpaper functioning as the grand statement, Traci treats the rest of the room with a more modern, edited approach. For her, “function follows beauty,” and every item is chosen with strict intentionality. The sleek desk and metallic lamp playfully challenge the classical elements of the wallpaper. The vintage bedside tables and Alexis Walter paintings lend depth and richness to the room. The blushing quartz chandelier infuses an earthy, sweet quality while delivering key lighting. With these features, Traci certainly achieves her aim of providing “simple solutions that bring joy and spirit to the everyday.”

Want more simply beautiful ideas? Check out this post on How to Host Overnight Holiday Guests.

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