Mendip Living Oct - Nov 2020

The amazing sofa in a box company Snug Sofa have come up trumps
with a revelatory sofa bed - one that’s as comfy to sit on as to sleep on!
Genius! £1495, snugsofa.com
accommodate some hanging
clothes. It’s likely that guests will
have items they’d like to hang. Don’t
forget a supply of six to eight hangers.
A simple hook on the wall or behind a
wardrobe door can hold a robe, coat, or a
handbag.
ADD SOME PERSONALITY
Guest rooms can suffer from being
personality vacuums - try to let some of
your personal style infuse the space, or
try out some decorative ideas that inspire
you. We love spaces that mix mid-century
modern furniture with boho soft furnishings,
or fabulous colour on a single wall with
dramatic wallpaper. Maybe dare to go
dark with dark navy on the walls and gold
detailing. Have you got artwork that evokes
some feeling on the walls? Or a grand full
length mirror? Even table lamps can inject
some personality. You can afford to have
a bit of fun and creative license with the
styling of these kinds of spaces.
MAKE SOME
DRAWER SPACE
If you have an extra chest of drawers, that’s
ideal, but if not, clearing out at least one or
two drawers for small items is sufficient.
Both you and your guest will feel better
with odds and ends out of sight.
DON’T FORGET
SIMPLE BASICS
A lit clock next to the bed is a great
amenity, and an alarm clock or clock/radio
is even better. Provide paper and pens,
scissors, tape, tissue, and a hairdryer to
have all the bases covered. If you can,
provide somewhere to sit in front of a mirror
so guests can do make up or style their
hair. If you don’t have an extra iron and
ironing board to offer, be sure to tell your
guest where they can find yours.
PROVIDE PRIVACY
You might know that the big willow tree
just outside the window camouflages
everything going on, but your guests won’t.
Choose window coverings that add to the
character of the room and also provide
privacy and light control. If you need to keep
it simple, blinds work great. You can always
add a beautiful valance or side panels later.
NO BED, NO
PROBLEM
Over the last few months, many
of us have had to use guest
bedrooms as home offices.
Rather than spending 360 days
of the year edging around the periphery
of a large and mostly unused bed,
consider swapping it for a smart
sofa bed. This gives you more
usable space in the room, and
somewhere to take a quick coffee
break away from your desk. Just
make sure the bed element is
comfortable and supportive.
FINISHING TOUCHES
Add some lovely finishing touches to the
room - a reed diffuser to fill it with delicious
fragrance and pop some throw pillows on
the bed or chair. If you like them, add some
cut flowers to a dresser or move some of
your existing houseplants into the space for
some greenery. If you don’t use your room
much during the year, be sure to open the
windows for a few hours before guests
arrive to help air it out.
Top to Bottom: Rattan Table, £179,
ellajames.co.uk; Detroit Side Table, £169.99,
oakfurnitureland.co.uk; Stucco Table Lamp, £120
and shade £58, pooky.com; Cressida Tassel
Pillow, £39, hauslife.co.uk; Simone Table Lamp,
£105, sweetpeaandwillow.com; Masako LED
Wall Lamp, £45, made.com; Texas Butterfly
Chair, £200, homebodydecor.co.uk
www.mendipliving.co.uk | 35