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Every holiday, spare rooms across the country are put to work. These are the rooms that host family and friends or even paying guests.
Kiwi interior designer Shanly Simpson says a guest room needs to work hard, both practically and emotionally, especially during the busiest and most social times of the year.
“When you’re staying in someone else’s home, particularly over the holidays, you’re already out of your element,” says Simpson, who has more than 25 years’ experience designing homes across New Zealand and Los Angeles.
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“A guest room should calm the energy the moment you walk in and make people feel genuinely welcome, not like they’re in the way.”
Interior designer Shanly Simpson: "A guest room should calm the energy the moment you walk in and make people feel genuinely welcome, not like they’re in the way." Photo / Supplied
Simpson, who has provided design solutions for A-list clients, including Paris Hilton and Las Vegas’ Caesars Hotel, says she focuses on the psychology of design and how environments affect comfort, rest and wellbeing.
“For me, functionality is as important as design. Something can look really pretty, but if it’s not actually working for someone staying there day after day, what’s the point?”
She says the bed and bedding are the non-negotiable starting points when setting up a guest room. Guests are already sleeping somewhere unfamiliar, so comfort, breathability and temperature regulation are critical when considering bedding choices.
Simpson says she now steers away from feather duvets, noting how quickly they can degrade. “Feathers have a lifespan. They crush quite easily, and over time you really feel the difference,” she says.
From Weave, a wool duvet inner. Simpson says wool is a better material than feathers. Photo / Supplied
She recommends wool inner duvets, particularly by Weave, part of Warwick Fabrics, which uses New Zealand wool in its products. “Wool breathes. In summer, it actually feels cool, and in winter it’s warmer because it’s breathing,” she says.
“I’ve tested and tried it, and wow, it makes such a difference to your sleep.”
Her advice is to invest in one high-quality duvet inner and change the covers with the seasons. Choose lightweight linen duvet covers in summer and thicker cotton in winter. “I just change the covers. It means I’m not storing multiple duvets, and it works beautifully all year round,” she says.
Award-winning home-stager Janine King, of Janine King Design, agrees that fresh, breathable bedding instantly lifts a guest room. She recommends using crisp cottons like those from Bianca Loren and linens in soft, neutral tones, like those from Baksana, to create a serene, spa-like feel. Her go-to brands include Wallace Cotton and French Country Collections. For more accessible options, she likes the Kate Spade range at Farmers.
The Perla Duvet Cover Set from Baksana. Photo / Supplied
Wallace Cottons’ Purity Organic Cotton Duvet Cover Set in pink stripe. Photo / Supplied
“Fresh, clean bed linen is always inviting,” says King. She suggests layering the bed with generous cushions and light throws so it can double as a comfortable place to sit during the day if needed.
Simpson says if the bed doesn’t have a headboard, cushions can be used instead to anchor the bed. When dressing a queen bed, Simpson starts with three generous 70x70cm European pillows at the back filled with slightly larger inners for a full, plush look. She uses two standard cushions in front, stacked neatly, and finishes with a large bolster cushion to anchor the bed and add a sense of luxury.
Colour choice is also important, she says, noting that strong or triggering colours can unsettle people without them realising why. “We are a product of our environment,” she says. “Strong colours can work people up. Calm, soft tones help people relax immediately.”
Home-stager Janine King says scent is another powerful tool. Photo / Supplied
Her preferred palette for guest rooms includes soft whites and creams, paired with moss greens that reference the outdoors. “There’s nothing like white for that feeling of clean, it feels naturally clean,” she says. “And those moss greens soften a space and connect it to what’s happening outside the window.”
However, she cautions against going too neutral without contrast. “If you go too white and too neutral, the room can just start disappearing,” she says.
King agrees, noting that neutral bases also help guests feel less like they’re intruding on someone else’s personal space. “You want guests to feel like they have their own space, not like they’re outstaying their welcome,” she says.
When it comes to fabrics, Simpson urges homeowners to look for tight weaves. She says they last longer, resist pulling and maintain their shape, while cheaper fabrics tend to wear quickly.
“If you pay just a little bit more for a higher thread count, it will last a lot longer,” she says. She also notes that lighter-coloured linens often feel softer, as darker dyes can affect texture. “The darker the colour, the more dye is involved, and that can affect softness,” she says.
Subtle candles like Ecoya’s French pear madison candle can instantly elevate the room. Photo / Supplied
Scent, like Miller Road’s white luxury diffuser, is a powerful tool. Photo / Supplied
And for cleaning, wash and hang linens in the sun to dry. The sun not only helps keep white linens crisp, but it also provides natural antibacterial properties.
King says thoughtful details can also dramatically improve the guest experience. Decluttering is the first step. Clearing surfaces and removing personal items to give guests space to unpack and settle in.
She suggests adding practical comforts such as an extra power board for chargers, a side table lamp for nighttime reading, a comfortable occasional chair, and, if space allows, a small café table, which can double as a workstation.
Scent is another powerful tool. Fresh flowers, linen sprays or subtle candles can instantly elevate the room. King sources candles and diffusers from Ecoya and The Bay Tree and recommends linen sprays from Wallace Cotton or the Durance range. She also uses Miller Road.
Both designers agree that creating the best guest room isn’t about following trends; it’s about making people feel comfortable. And when guests sleep well, feel relaxed and genuinely welcome, that’s when a guest bedroom has really done its job.
