A Warm Welcome
Inviting ideas to dress up your guest room
Have you ever entered a hotel room, plopped on the bed and completely fallen in love with how it instantly made you feel at home? Well, you don’t have to send your guests to a five-star hotel for that cozy feeling. We’ve got some easy tips to spruce up that extra bedroom to make sure they feel right at home in an inviting, tranquil and beautiful space.
WHERE TO START
Whether your guest bedroom needs a few warm touches or a total revamp, now is the perfect time to spruce it up. Take a good long look around the room and think about what you would want to feel cozy and welcome.
THE LITTLE THINGS MEAN A LOT
“The goal is to make overnight guests feel at home and we often forget those creature comforts that make a big difference,” says Zach Wilson, owner of Rocky Mountain Glass. “When getting ready to start our day or attending an event or dinner party, we all want and need to see what we look like. Not only that, but a full-length mirror also brightens and enlarges your space.” Zach adds, “We can also cut your mirror in-house, to any size or shape, giving it a uniqueness.”
A DIFFERENT PERSPECTIVE
No one wants to live out of a suitcase. Make sure there is a place for your guests’ clothes and personal items, including some closet space. If your furniture is somewhat dated, Joe Westberg, general manager at A&H Specialties, has a simple solution. Try replacing dated drawer handles and knobs. “Updating your furniture can make a big difference in the look and feel of your existing pieces,” he says. “Our Amerock brand of cabinet handles and knobs in the Blackrock Collection is very popular right now, and we have many others to choose from, along with towel holders and clothes hooks, which are important if you are short on closet space. These simple items modernize a guest room and bath.”
FROM FLOOR TO CEILING
To keep things simple, consider choosing a neutral paint color and neutral hues to serve as a blank canvas for the rest of your room’s décor. Consider curtains or shades with black-out features to ensure both a restful sleep and privacy for your guests. For your walls, try composing a gallery wall with matching-themed pieces or family photos, and add a little fun with a colorful lampshade and pillows. If new carpet is a must, softness should be your first consideration.
A MONTANA TOUCH
A throw rug or bed accent can convey a rustic yet refined Montana style. This beautiful cowhide from Western Ranch Supply can serve as either. As Marketing Manager Shelbi Bradford says, “Cowhides add a rich feel to a space and lend that Montana look we all love. They can easily match your room in tricolor, black and white, speckled and tan, or the brown and black brindle.” She adds that if you’re going for a western-inspired look, Western Ranch Supply has wall art, scented candles and plush throw blankets.
LIGHT IT UP
The right lighting is often overlooked in a guest room. Of course, guests would love a bright overhead light, but don’t forget the soft light your guest might love to switch on to read before bed. It’s always nice to stock a guest room with a few books or magazines. If there is enough space, a chair and a small table give guests a place to rejuvenate.
A GREAT FOUNDATION
Nothing sets the stage quite like a nice bedroom set. If you are in the market for a refresh, Deanna Lagaly, sales associate at Conlin’s Furniture, says, “Spending over the holidays can be hectic in itself. When shopping for guest bedroom furniture, look for something durable yet affordable.” She points to this set that’s an ode to Montana, made from premier North American Red Oak. "It offers a warmth and beauty perfect for any guest bedroom,” says Deanna, adding that it’s aptly named the Big Sky Collection.
A SOFT SCENTED LANDING
When it comes to making your overnight guests feel welcome, it’s often the little things that make a difference. Tiffany Miller-O’Brien, owner of Frae Everyday Goods, says, “You can easily curate a takeaway gift basket that your guests will love, filled with items that represent their time spent with you in Montana.” She says you can take your hostess game up a notch with items made right here in Billings. She suggests a handmade Scarpari basket filled with items like fragrant bar soap from Rock Creek Soaps, and Frae Everyday Good’s own line of shampoo and conditioner. Add a mug, tea, a vintage jar candle and a bamboo travel toothbrush and toothpaste tabs for that perfect touch.
EXTRA DOSE OF RELAXATION
Diffusers, down pillows and snuggly bedding will set a relaxing mood in the room, and for an exceptional touch, add an eye mask, some slippers or cozy socks. You can also bring the outdoors in with a houseplant or even fresh flowers. Consider plush towels to enhance the space as well.
Whatever your budget, take the time to make your guest bedroom something outstanding before the holiday rush leaves you hurried and exhausted. Careful, though. Your guests may never want to leave.
