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Whether it’s a dedicated retreat for loved ones, or a multifunctional space that doubles as your home office, the key to designing a guest bedroom is to balance comfort, practicality and style.
Guided by insight from King Living Designer Zara Fong, this article explores how to create an inviting atmosphere that helps overnight visitors feel instantly at home. From ambient lighting to adaptable furniture, every detail plays a part in shaping a guest space that feels welcoming from the moment they arrive. Here is how to start.
- Begin with a calming colour palette
- Choose the right bed for restful sleep
- Consider a sofa bed for multipurpose rooms
- Layer bedding and keep extra pillows nearby
- Select a bedside table for practicality
- Style with an armchair for comfort
- Keep the space serene with flexible design
- Light the room with intention and atmosphere
- Infuse scent to enhance relaxation
- Finish with thoughtful personal touches
1. Begin with a calming colour palette
A soothing palette creates the foundation for a restful space. Soft neutrals, earthy tones and gentle greys encourage relaxation without overwhelming the senses. For smaller guest bedrooms, lighter schemes can also open the space visually and create an airy sense of calm.
Zara notes that colour is key to setting the mood, "it should feel quiet and restorative the moment someone steps in. A lot of people think colour begins and ends with the walls or bedding, but with a King Living bed, you can bring it into the bedhead and frame itself."
Made to order, every King Living bed is available in premium fabrics, luxurious leathers and signature timber finishes, allowing you to create a look that feels light, dark or naturally grounded.
2. Choose the right bed for restful sleep
A well-considered bed will always anchor the room. Choose a design with clean, sculptural lines and generous cushioning to support a peaceful night's sleep. Zara notes that the Horizon Bed is an ideal choice for guest bedrooms.
"The Horizon Bed features beautiful channel detailing, with optional side panels that create an enveloping sleep space. That additional privacy and comfort is exactly what guests need. Paired with a Sleep+ Mattress, which you can customise with interchangeable layers, any visitor will experience a truly restful night."
If your interior aesthetic favours minimalism, consider a floating base design like Horizon to keep the room feeling clean and calm, while offering underbed storage for your guest’s bags.
Explore the contemporary King Living Bed Collection to create a guest bedroom that invites rest and relaxation.
3. Consider a sofa bed for multipurpose rooms
In a more compact interior like an apartment or studio, or multifunctional spaces that shift between lounging, working and hosting, a sofa bed is often the perfect solution. For this reason, the Oscar Sofa Bed is ideal for guest bedrooms.
"It's a multifunctional, space saving design with signature King Living comfort.” Zara explains. “You can switch from a two seater sofa to a double bed in a single motion, without removing the back or seat cushions. It includes a supportive Sleep+ Mattress, so your guests experience the same quality of rest you'd offer in a dedicated bedroom."
Explore the Sofa Beds collection and find an adaptable design that helps you create a welcoming guest setting within any space.
4. Layer bedding and keep extra pillows nearby
With your foundation in place, it's time to focus on layering comfort into the room.
Layered bedding adds texture and depth while ensuring your visitors feel cared for. Choose high quality sheets in soft linen or cotton, and in warmer months opt for a lightweight throw stored in a nearby basket, while cooler seasons call for a quilt. This allows guests to adjust as needed.
Zara emphasises the importance of this thoughtful detail. "Keep extra blankets within reach, and pillows with different levels of firmness. It's a simple gesture that creates a sense of hospitality and allows guests to tailor the bedding to their comfort needs and temperature."
For a final decorative touch, layer cushions such as Eternal or Serendipity for a soft neutral look, or Allure and Blissful for warmer, earthy colour.
“Cushions from the Elemental Threads Collection are designed in-house, crafted with jacquard weaving and embroidery techniques, while the cushion inserts are made from premium feather and fibre for sink-in comfort. They work well in guest bedrooms by adding a refined pop of colour to the bed.” Zara adds.
5. Select a bedside table for practicality
A bedside table offers a natural place for lighting, drinks and personal belongings. Choose a design with drawers or shelving so guests can store items they need close at hand throughout the night. Zara highlights the Serenade Marble Bedside Table as an ideal choice.
"The durable marble tabletop offers added ease. Any spills are simple to clean thanks to the stain-resistant surface, which gives guests one less thing to worry about. The timber base is also made to order in your choice of finish, so you can match the design to the aesthetic of your home."
Style with a soft table lamp for ambient evening light, greenery for freshness, a book for leisurely reading, and a jug with a glass for water.
6. Style with an armchair for comfort
An armchair or lounge chair creates a comfortable corner for undisturbed relaxation. It offers an inviting place for loved ones to unwind, read before bed, or simply lay out a bag they may not have time to unpack.
Select a design that balances comfort and modern simplicity. Curved lines, a generous seat and tactile finishes will help your visitors feel at ease from the moment they arrive.
“The Seymour Chair is ideal for a multifunctional guest bedroom,” Zara says. “Differing back heights and base options offer flexibility. The high back is perfect as an office chair, while the low back with footstool creates a beautiful relaxation zone. The swivel base option means you can easily move it around and follow the sunlight throughout the day."
With made to order removable covers in your choice of fabric or leather, explore the Occasional Chairs collection and find a design that transforms your guest bedroom into a considered retreat.
7. Keep the space serene with flexible design
For guest bedrooms with limited space, or rooms that shift between functions, flexible design is essential for maintaining a serene and spacious feel.
The Lumo Sofa Bed offers a compact, modern solution, transforming from sofa to a bed in seconds. Simply unzip and fold out the seat to create a generous sleeping space, then fold it back when not in use.
“Part of the King FreeForm collection, Lumo arrives compressed and can be unboxed in minutes," Zara explains. “It's perfect for last minute hosting when you need a guest solution without dedicating an entire bedroom."
Available as a chair and single bed, or two seater sofa and double bed, the Lumo Sofa Bed supports a simple, adaptable layout that gives every guest a comfortable place to rest without overwhelming the room.
Discover FreeForm, flexible sofas and sofa beds designed for effortless convenience.
8. Light the room with intention and atmosphere
Thoughtful lighting can transform a guest bedroom and influence how settled visitors feel.
After a long day of travelling or simply settling into a new space, soft, layered lighting helps guests unwind and feel at home in an unfamiliar setting.
"Choose warm bulbs over cool tones and avoid harsh overhead lighting," Zara advises. "Layer natural light with pendant lights and table lamps to create a gentle glow. A bedside lamp with adjustable brightness such as the Pallino Portable Table Lamp is ideal for reading before sleep, while a tall floor lamp like Solifiore Gymea can illuminate different zones of the room or highlight artwork."
9. Infuse scent to enhance relaxation
A gentle scent can instantly shift the atmosphere of a guest room. Choose candles, diffusers or room sprays with botanical or earthy notes to echo the calm of the setting.
Avoid intense fragrances and focus on subtle scents that create a sense of ease. Soft aromatics like cedarwood, linen or fig add quiet character without overwhelming the space.
“Fresh florals are always a plus, and look beautiful.” Zara adds.
10. Finish with thoughtful personal touches
Consider what makes you feel comfortable when you unwind. It might be a warm hot water bottle, your favourite hand cream or a simple glass carafe beside the bed. Your guests respond to the same considered details.
A small tray with essentials like fresh towels, napkins or spare toiletries adds an effortless sense of care. A book you love or a vase with greenery can make even the smallest guest room feel inviting and calm.
For more guest bedroom styling inspiration:
