Hosting experts reveal the 8 things making your guest bedroom less comfortable – and how to remedy them

If you want to offer your guests a memorable experience when they come to stay, the first thing you need is a cozy guest bedroom, hosting experts say.

However, there are eight small details you might be overlooking that might be making your guest bedroom less comfortable and making it harder for your guests to relax and unwind including a lack of pillow choices, and bad lighting.

Here, hosting pros and expert organizers reveal the hosting blunders you may have overlooked when designing a guest bedroom to get this space to a Ritz standard ahead of the hosting season.

8 things making your guest bedroom less comfortable

There is more to making a bedroom cozy than picking the best bed sheets. Everything from temperature control to guest bedroom storage mistakes plays a part.

1. Not having a choice of pillows

Everyone will have a different opinion on what makes a pillow the best pillow – which is why it’s important to offer your guests a choice, suggests Valerie Stafford, partner and lead designer for Rumor Designs in Steamboat Springs, CO.

She says, ‘I think that oftentimes, people don't consider that everyone has different sleeping preferences. One way to avoid this mistake is to offer a variety of pillows and blankets in different weights to accommodate personal preferences. Consider placing an extra weighted blanket at the foot of the bed, giving guests the option to use it if they need help to sleep well away from home.'

Consider a mix of firm and soft pillows, as well as flatter and fuller ones to help guests find one that is comfortable for their necks.

All prices correct at time of publication.

2. Forgetting functional furniture

There are several things every guest bedroom needs to stay organized, including functional furniture. Valerie Stafford, lead designer says, ‘This includes a chair or bench where guests can place their bags and personal items. Most visitors won’t use a dresser, so it can be a good place to store extra essentials like earplugs, eye masks, or a spare phone charger.’

A mirror in their room to help them get ready, as well as a place to hang up their clothes go a long way to making their stay comfortable and their room functional.

Macie Kreutzer, professional organizer says, 'Have space clear in the closet for them to hang clothes if need be and a luggage stand for their suitcase.’

3. Uncomfortable bedding

Macie Kreutzer, professional organizer and the owner of For the Love of Simple says, ‘There is nothing worse than scratchy sheets or a poorly made bed.’

Researching which bedding material is best is a must before decking out a guest bedroom and shopping at the best places to buy bedding will help you ensure quality both for your guest bedroom and your own.

Macie adds, ‘Keep your guests sleeping soundly with quality sheets that are well tucked into the bed and a medium-weight comforter or duvet. Also, offer extra pillows and blankets for those who need more support or warmth at night. A throw blanket at the base of the bed is also helpful for daytime naps or resting.’

4. Not having temperature control

The guest bedroom temperature is a tricky thing to get right. Some people like it hot and cozy, while others prefer to turn the thermostat down to the best temperature for sleep. Not giving your guests a way to adjust the temperature to their preference is a common mistake that makes your guest room less comfortable, continues Macie Kreutzer, professional organizer.

Macie says, ‘Keep your guests comfortable with ways they can adjust the room's temperature. If the room's AC or heat cannot be adjusted individually, offer a fan or space heater so your guest can make changes to the room's temp.’

5. Room clutter

One of the worst offenders for making a guest bedroom less comfortable is clutter, especially given that a messy bedroom can affect sleep, Macie Kreutzer, professional organizer points out.

She recommends, ‘Have your guest bedroom free of excess stuff, and don't allow it to be a catchall for your home's clutter [take note of all the things to never store in a guest bedroom. If you must use your guest room for storage, be sure it is stored in containers, under the bed, or in a closet so it is out of sight.

‘Make sure your guest room has clear surface space such as the nightstand, dresser, or desktop for your guests to place their phones, chargers, and other personal belongings.'

6. Bad lighting

Bedroom lighting mistakes are another big blunder that will make any bedroom less comfortable, let alone your guest spaces.

Jennifer Jones, interior designer and owner of Niche Interiors begins, ‘I can't overstate the importance of good lighting in a bedroom! Unfortunately, guest bedrooms are often overlooked and given cast-off floor lamps or no ambient lighting at all.

'Our rule is thumb is to provide a table lamp or sconce on each side of the bed with dimming capabilities. If your lamps don't have a dimmer or three-way switch opt for Philips Hue bulbs [available at Amazon], which can be installed in any lamp and dimmed with an app on your phone,’ or a small remote control for guests.

It is not just the artificial lighting that needs addressing Zak Gilby, designer at DeVis Architecture adds. ‘Insufficient window treatments can allow unwanted light in, disrupting sleep. Using blackout bedroom curtain ideas or shades is crucial for ensuring that guests can enjoy a dark, restful environment. We usually recommend avoiding skylights above bedrooms for this exact reason, also.'

7. No soundproofing

Soundproofing a room might not be your first thought when preparing a guest space, but it can be a great addition to making the space more comfortable.

Zak Gilby, designer, explains, ‘A lack of quality soundproofing can lead to disturbances from outside noise or adjacent rooms. Implementing acoustic insulation in the walls and ceilings helps create a serene atmosphere, essential for restful sleep. If the budget is tight, even just opting for soundproof plasterboard when renovating a bedroom can help mitigate noise transfer between spaces.’

8. A lack of spare essentials

This is more of a finishing touch than an absolute must, but adding guest bedroom essentials such as extra toiletries, towels or chargers all add up to making a guest bedroom more comfortable.

Jane Owen, event planner and CEO of Jane Owen PR says, ‘One thing that I always get compliments on is that I have a selection of travel-size items available to guests in a little basket on the table near their sleeping area. It includes miniature shampoo, conditioner, travel toothbrush and toothpaste, wet wipes, perfume samples, sleeping eye mask, etc.

‘I pick these things up at hotels when I travel myself and the beauty counters when I shop, and I keep a store of them at home for this purpose. Guests often forget to bring things with them and they always appreciate that those items are readily available and they don’t have to ask.’

These eight mistake remedies are great for building your perfect guest bedroom, however, it is important to remember that preparing a guest bedroom for summer and preparing a guest bedroom for Thanksgiving are very different things.

You not only need to take the climate into account, but the decorations, and what you put in a guest welcome box. These seasonal touches will really enhance the guest experience all year round.