The festive countdown has well and truly begun, and you know what that means? It’s time to open up our homes for family and friends!
Whilst many of us look forward to Christmas, one of the biggest challenges for those who are in charge of hosting can be making sure that our guests feel at home too, and well-rested in the run-up to the big day.
In fact, all the excitement and socialising can sometimes lead to Christmas ‘burnout’, so for this reason, it’s important to create a space in your home where your guests can retreat to and get a good night’s sleep.
To help guarantee a comfortable and festive experience, Martin Gill, managing director and interiors expert at luxury bed retailer, And So To Bed has listed five low-maintenance tips for sprucing up your guest bedroom below.
1. Update the colour scheme – but don’t be too bold!
If your spare bedroom is typically used as a bit of a dumping ground then now is the perfect opportunity to give it a little tidy and jazz it up in preparation for guests.
Since Christmas is the time of the year where money can feel that bit tighter, many hosts will want to keep the costs and time spent on redecorating to a minimum. So, one of the most effective ways to transform the look of your spare room is by updating the colour scheme.
However, colours should be considered carefully first so that it doesn’t have a negative impact on your guest’s sleep. With this in mind, Dr Lindsay Browning, psychologist, neuroscientist and sleep expert at And So To Bed, added:
“The colour of a bedroom can help you to feel more relaxed and ready for sleep. For instance, neutral colours like earth tones and beige are more calming, and research has found that blue is associated with feelings of calm.
“On the other hand, it’s been found that bedrooms decorated predominantly with red may be overstimulating for sleep, as the colour red stimulates the fight or flight mechanism so it’s worth bearing this in mind when it comes to redecorating ahead of the festive period.”
That’s not to say that you can’t have hints of red in your guest bedroom but it may be worth having a more neutral colour that promotes relaxation as the primary, then incorporating bolder, more Christmassy colours using decorations.
2. Go all out with festive accessories
Whether your taste is minimalist or more about the big statements, accessories can go a long way to help make a guest room feel extra special.
For instance, to make your own mini Christmas wreath, all you need is some baubles, pompons and tree branches! Traditionally, these are hung on the front door of the home, but hanging a homemade wreath on the bedroom door or somewhere in the guest room – like above the dresser – is a fun extra touch. You can also place a small Christmas tree in the room for extra cosiness.
To add to the festive feel, placing some ornaments on the bedside table, such as a snowglobe, santa figurine or mini Christmas tree will also help.
3. Add some cosy extras
Candles are another easy way to bring some warmth into the space. Finding scents of cinnamon, brown sugar, gingerbread and peppermint, and incorporating them into your spare bedroom using candles, diffusers and essential oils will bring the ultimate “Christmas” scent.
Drifting off to the smells of Christmas with the subtle glow of a candle flame is a cosy way to unwind after a busy day of socialising and eating.
If you would rather avoid candles in the spare room, you could instead provide your guests with some winter warmers like a hot water bottle. Or if you’re really wanting to impress, you could get them some cashmere socks for their stay, or even slippers with their initials on to make them feel more at home.
4. Invest in some festive bedding
With the bed being the main focal point when you walk into a bedroom, it’s a given that you want it to be as luxurious and comfortable as possible. And who doesn’t love that feeling of sleeping in fresh, cosy bedding?
For the added warmth factor, feather duvets are known for keeping you extra snug when it’s cold at night, as can wool due to its chunky nature. Pairing these types of duvets with a fluffy or quilted throw on top will provide the perfect combination of comfort and luxury.
But, it’s not just about what’s inside, but what’s on the outside of the duvet too! Changing the bedsheets to something more Christmassy is a fun gesture. Whether that’s more subtle with tartan bedding or a bold reindeer print, this can go a long way in making a room feel that bit more festive.
5. Create the right mood with lighting
Nothing gives off Christmassy vibes quite like good lighting. Whether this is hanging fairy lights around the bed frame, or using a dimmer switch to create low lighting, any form of soft light can help to achieve a calm and relaxing bedroom.
Of course, you want to strike the perfect balance between an atmospheric space whilst also ensuring guests can still read a book or watch a film without straining their eyes. To help your guests keep up with their usual nighttime activities before bed, it’s always worth having a bedside lamp to hand in the room.
