Skip to main content

21OAK may earn a commission when you buy through links on our site.

How to make your guest room feel like a hotel room for staycations

Staycations can be just as, if not more, relaxing than a trip across the country. Traveling is expensive and often stressful, but staycations offer the opportunity to explore your own city, take a few days to relax, or spend time with friends and family, all without booking flights or hotel rooms.

Instead of investing hundreds or thousands of dollars on a vacation, why not use that money on renovating your guest room? You can create a hotel-like feel inside your own home so both you and any guests have a five-star experience without leaving the house. When you need a change of scenery, just hop down the hall and spend some time in a space that rivals your favorite Hilton or Marriott. To inspire your renovation journey, we tracked down the best ways to transform this room on any budget.

beautiful bedroom with blue and grey walls
Latkn / Shutterstock

Splurge on bedding

One of the best parts of a hotel room is the luxurious sheets and duvet. There are always way more pillows than the average person needs, allowing you to sink deeply into a cocoon of comfort. Capture this feeling in the guest room with this oversize California Siberian goose-down king duvet from Amazon. It’s not too heavy, so you won’t sweat while you sleep, but it’s ultra soft and delivers maximum comfort. In terms of sheets, we love these CottonWorks exclusive 1000 thread count Pima cotton sets, also sold on Amazon. Treat yourself and make sure you buy an extra set for the master bedroom as well.

bedroom with a black accent wall
Shutterstock / Shutterstock

Try dark paint

Hotels know exactly how to make guests feel cozy and relaxed. One of the tried and true methods of ultra-luxurious hotels is filling the room with dark paint and decor. It may seem counterproductive to paint a small room a dark color, but as long as you balance it with plenty of natural and artificial light, it provides a sense of calm, not claustrophobia.

Recommended Videos

If you pair this color scheme with light-colored, neutral textiles, you can also prevent the room from feeling too small. For color choices, we recommend either Arches or Duke Grey from Magnolia Home, which you can pick up at your local Ace Hardware store. If you’re still concerned about a dark room looking too moody, incorporate white or ivory wainscoting to break up the deep-colored hues.

Remember home comforts

Convenience is another huge part of a successful vacation (or staycation), so be very thoughtful in your design and try to anticipate your guest’s needs. Further, if you’re spending your self-care day in the guest bedroom, you shouldn’t have to worry about laundry or toiletries, either.

Make sure there are clean bath towels on the bed and extra sets in the closet. Don’t forget the small necessities like an alarm clock, chapstick, a few reading options, and a phone charger on the nightstand. If there’s a TV in the room, leave instructions for how to use the remote if it’s tricky. Put some nice smelling lotion, a face mask, and fresh flowers on the dresser for a mini-spa day.

grommets on blackout curtains
Image used with permission by copyright holder

Use blackout shades

When you’re taking time off to relax and recharge, the last thing you want is to be woken up early by the sun shining in your eyes. With hotel-quality blackout curtains, you can sleep in for hours without disruption from the sunrise or any passing headlights. We love these Freemansburg curtains in Candlelight from Wayfair for a guaranteed light-free sleep.

Once you’ve got these basics down, the rest comes down to personal design choice. Find a few framed prints of places you’ve traveled (or are on your list to visit), leave some drawer or closet space for guests to put their clothing, and incorporate aromatherapy into the room with lavender, honey, or jasmine scented candles. Leave fuzzy slippers by the closet, and you’ve got yourself a guest room worthy of any staycation. For an extra touch, consider putting a small mini-fridge in the corner of the room or inside the closet. You can stock it with water, soda, wine, and other refreshments like fruit, chocolate, or cheese.

Little things go a long way, especially on staycation! Whether you’re hosting a guest or spending a few days in there yourself, the key is convenience and comfort. With these few tips, you can create a guest space that can outshine any hotel room.

Topics
Julie Scagell
Former Digital Trends Contributor
I am a freelance writer based in Minneapolis, MN. My passions include my dogs, talking about my dogs, and taking pictures of…
Avoid spiders in your bed with these simple decor changes
Here's how to get your bedroom to be free of spiders
Bed pushed up against a wall with flowers on it

Of all the spaces in your home, the very last place you want to come face to face with a spider is in your bed. Your bedroom is a sanctuary designed to make you feel comfortable and safe, so seeing a creepy crawly there can shatter this sense of comfort completely.

Unfortunately, the choices you make while designing your bedroom can make it easier for spiders to crawl into your bed. Your bedroom layout (and precisely how you situate your bed) can attract spiders into your most sacred space. Read on to discover a few common design mistakes that can attract pests and some methods to prevent spiders in bed.
You may be unintentionally inviting spiders into your bed

Read more
Bringing back the ’70s: How to nail that retro interior design look
Invite this trendy, iconic design era into your home
Orange couch in retro midcentury modern living room design

The '70s were a decade of bold expression, eclectic decor, and cozy, conversation-friendly spaces. If you’ve ever admired the warmth of earthy tones, the fun of funky patterns, or the laid-back vibe of a sunken living room, you’re in luck. Interior design '70s style is making a serious comeback. With a modern twist, today’s take on this iconic aesthetic blends nostalgia with contemporary flair.

But what exactly makes '70s interior design so unique? Whether you're looking to fully embrace the vintage look or just add a few nostalgic touches, you can channel the best of '70s design in a way that feels stylish and livable.
What is interior design '70s style?

Read more
Farmhouse bedroom decor: How to make your space feel inviting and warm
Try these gorgeous farmhouse bedroom decor ideas for a quaint and cozy look
Coastal farmhouse bedroom decor

Farmhouse decor exudes quaint tranquility and pastoral beauty. Homeowners adore this cozy aesthetic and the simple lifestyle it invites into our spaces. While many trends may come and go, farmhouse decor is a timeless classic that is here to stay. If you’re looking for the perfect farmhouse bedroom decor ideas, we have everything you need to make your space feel inviting and warm.
Add some paneling

Paneling is a must in any farmhouse design. While you’ll likely see paneling, shiplap, or repurposed boards in the entertaining spaces of the home, it can also do wonders in a bedroom. Add some simple wood paneling as a feature wall behind your headboard. While all-white spaces are slowly fading from many homes, designers and homeowners alike are still using white paint on paneling to add a fresh look to the space.
Exposed beams are classic farmhouse decor

Read more