What makes a guest bedroom look cheap? The 7 giveaways and their remedies

If you want to offer the warmest welcome, it pays to know what makes a guest bedroom look cheap. Sure the room isn’t occupied every night but that isn’t a reason for an interior scheme that’s not supremely comfortable, as well as aesthetically pleasing for overnighters.

Rooms for guests should be equal to other bedrooms as well as the rest of your interiors if you want visitors to feel cozy, and your home to look coherent in its style, so avoiding what makes a house look cheap is key.

So what are the choices for guest bedroom ideas that will make the space appear low-grade? We asked interior experts to share them – and reveal which decor and linens you should use instead.

1. A skimpily dressed bed

A bed that’s not dressed for comfort definitely makes a guest bedroom look cheap, according to the experts. And it’s a matter of how you dress a bed with the linens you choose.

‘Skimping on accent pillows and high-quality bedding is a surefire way to make a guest bedroom design fall flat,’ says Jennifer Jones, principal designer at Niche Interiors.

A bed dressed as shown above is the answer. ‘Invest in the appropriate size accent pillows to place in front of the sleeping pillows – typically 22 to 25 inches square,’ says Jennifer. ‘Layer a textural throw blanket at the foot of the bed to create a layered, cozy vibe.’

Jessica Holwick, co-owner and principal interior designer at Restart Renovation and Design recommends natural fabrics. ‘Invest in high quality 100 percent cotton sheets, a comforter or duvet with a soft fabric such as linen and layer throws on top,’ she says.

We explore how to make a bed look more expensive in our separate piece.

2. Utilitarian window treatments

Bedroom window treatments that are practical but nothing more give the room a low grade look.

Jessica Holwick warns against metal mini blinds. ‘They look cheap and unattractive,’ she says, and suggests a pull-down fabric or woven shade instead for privacy.

When curtain ideas are used, be sure to explore curtain mistakes to avoid and steer clear of those that are too short, too narrow, or hung incorrectly, which can make the ceilings feel lower and the room feel unbalanced, says Tayler Denney, design lead at Bloomin' Blinds.

‘Hang curtain rods higher and wider than the window frame to create the illusion of taller ceilings and a more expansive space,’ she recommends. ‘Choose lined drapery for a more luxurious, full-bodied appearance. Floor-length curtains in soft, neutral fabrics add an elegant finishing touch.’

3. A lack of decorative accessories – or too many

Not styling a guest bedroom can make it look cheap, but so can adding too many decorative accessories.

‘Items that are meaningful and interesting bring layers and depth to the room, but make sure you leave plenty of space for guests to put things down on hard surfaces,’ advises Jen Baxter of Baxter Hill Interiors. ‘It’s also key to mix materials so it’s not all wood, or all glass, or all metal,’ she adds

4. Relying on overhead lighting

Good bedroom lighting ideas are vital for sleep spaces that are occupied every night, but they’re equally so for guest bedrooms, and knowing how to layer lighting is a must.

‘A common mistake is inadequate lighting,’ says Elizabeth Vergara of Vergara Homes. ‘Overhead lighting alone can feel harsh and uninviting. Swap it out by adding bedside lamps or wall sconces for a warm, welcoming glow.’

5. Leaving walls bare

Don’t stint on wall decor because it’s a guest bedroom. ‘Walls with nothing on them make a room feel uninviting and basic,’ says Jessica Holwick.

‘Walls can be dressed up with bedroom art ideas such as a collage of smaller prints or custom trim work like a vertical lap,’ she suggests.

And there are essential requirements when selecting bedroom art, according to Jen Baxter. ‘Have art that tells a story in a decent frame,’ she advises. ‘It doesn’t have to be expensive or fancy, but something that has meaning to you, that you can relay to them, will feel curated and special – not like you were just trying to fill the walls.’

6. MDF or particleboard case furniture

While you may want to make your interiors budget go further by saving investment pieces for the bedrooms of a home’s occupants, do select bedroom storage furniture with care to prevent a guest bedroom feeling cheap.

Case furniture made from MDF or particleboard that feels too light and doors/drawers that don’t work smoothly are no-nos, according to Jen Baxter.

‘Zhuzh up a vintage piece that has good bones,’ she recommends. ‘You can DIY it, or take it to a quality craftsperson to refinish it – either way it’s worth the effort and investment. New door hardware (pulls and knobs) can transform a piece as well.’

7. A lack of guest-friendly pieces

To avoid low-rent style, don’t leave out guest bedroom essentials and the pieces that make visitors‘ experience of the room a better one.

‘Make sure they feel welcome by ensuring there is somewhere to put their bag and unpack their things – simple storage like a luggage rack or even just clear floor space can make a difference,’ says Jen Baxter.

‘Provide a pitcher and glass for a drink of water in the middle of the night,’ she continues. ‘Have some ear plugs and an eye mask on hand so they can control the noise and light. This is really where the it’s the thought that counts – this will go the furthest to making the guest room feel luxurious.’

And, if there’s room, make space for a dressing table so guests feel comfortable getting ready.

Even a small guest bedroom can be super stylish with choices that avoid a cheap look. Make sure, too, that it’s not home to the pieces to never store in a guest bedroom. And if you don’t have an extra room, find out how to host guests without a guest room instead.