Leamington and Warwick Living Nov - Dec 2022

BE OUR
‘Tis (nearly) the season for hosting visitors - we’ve got top
Guest
tips on creating a sumptuous guest bedroom, plus tips to
improve all areas of the home
Left: Caitlin Marie Design,
caitlinmariedesign.com
Above: Annabel Grimshaw
Interior Design (image from Chris
Snook), annabelgrimshaw.com
THE BEDROOM
DON’T: WORRY IF YOU
HAVEN’T GOT LOTS OF
SPACE
Ultimately you have to work with what
you’ve got - in the last 2 years, many of
us have seen our guest rooms overhauled
to become home offices. If you’ve
ditched the bed don’t worry - how about
adding an attractive sofa bed that you
can actually use the rest of the time as a
break out area from your desk.
DO: PROVIDE BASIC
AMENITIES
The more things you can put in the room
to make their stay easier, without having
to ask you for everything, the more
relaxed everyone will feel. A mirror is
important, as are fresh towels, tissues,
and perhaps even a hair dryer. A bedside
carafe and some glasses means they can
help themselves to water too.
DO: INVEST IN GOOD
WINDOW TREATMENTS
As you might have never slept in this
space, you might not know how light
behaves or how effective the current
window treatments are for blocking out
light. For a really luxurious look, pair
blackout blinds or shutters with thick,
decorative drapery. Shutters give a lovely
secure feel to a space and really finish
the room.
DON’T: SETTLE FOR A
LUMPY MATTRESS
The same goes for the mattress as the
window treatments - spend a night in the
room and see if the bed is up to scratch.
DO: PROVIDE GOOD
LIGHTING
Multi-level lighting is key for making a
space feel cosy - make sure there are
two bedside lamps and then another
light source in the space, such as a
standing lamp in the corner or a lamp on
a dressing table
DON’T: SKIMP ON THE
BED LINENS
Good bed linen really is worth the money
- and it tends to wash better too. Provide
a good quality duvet and pillows, linens
and some additional blankets if your
guests feel the cold.
DO: CREATE
SOMEWHERE THEY CAN
UNPACK
We all know it’s a bit stressful trying to
live out of a suitcase - allowing for some
hanging space and a few drawers to
unpack into, can really help guests keep
on top of things whilst they’re with you.
DO: MAKE IT SMELL
LOVELY
Kit the room out with either fresh flowers,
a reed diffuser, or room sprays. Neom
candles have range of wonderful relaxing
scents, which can fragrance the room
even when they are not lit (Complete
Bliss Scented Candle, 3 Wick, £48).
Pillow spray to help deep sleep is also a
lovely touch to make the
space feel
homely.
30 | www.minervamagazines.co.uk