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The Thread

Find stories to inspire you, ideas from people we admire and our expertise for a home well curated, a wardrobe well put together, a life well lived.

Guest bedrooms they’ll want to return to

Long-awaited and planned-for arrivals. Missed last trains and nights where you just have so much fun they decide to sleep over – overnight guests are a big part of Christmas celebrations. Here’s how to make the space they stay in welcoming.

Keep it personal

There’s a lot of talk about making your guest room feel like a hotel, and while we’d all love to pretend we’re staying at the Four Seasons, it’s important to remember that these are loved ones you have welcomed into your home, so a few touches from the hosts are always appreciated, too. Keep to the same colours and tones as the rest of the home – neutrals are great for ensuring calming surroundings for sleep. Then, add some personal items, framed mementos, souvenirs picked up from your travels, prints by a favourite artist. It also makes for great “where did you get that from?” conversation over the breakfast table.

Prioritise comfort

In our new hybrid-working lives, a lot of traditional guest rooms have become multifunctional spaces, transforming from offices to bedrooms and back again. But, whether you have a made-up bed at the ready or it’s a case of making up the pull-out – or even the sofa – the way to please any guest is with extra-comfy pillows and duvets. Make sure you have a selection of super-plump pillows (at least 2 per guest then they can decide on their own sleeping height) and a cosy duvet with a soft-to-the-touch pure-cotton cover. For winter guests, try and also provide them with some additional blankets or a bedspread – everyone’s sleeping temperature is different, so they’ll be able to find a combination that works for them.

Clear some space

Another casualty of our multipurpose rooms is it’s likely you’re already using any wardrobes or drawers in there to store your own overflow of out-of-season clothes. Fear not, we’re not suggesting you clear away everything, but try to leave at least a couple of hangers free and a drawer empty so your guest can unpack should they wish to. For short-term guests, it’s probably more useful to have some easy-to-access storage available so they can keep a few things to hand rather than unpack fully. A couple of hooks on the back of the door for coats, a small bench or ottoman to rest their bag on for easy access and a small tray or dish to keep jewellery on will be really welcome.

Add little extras

We all know it’s a lovely touch to leave a folded towel at the end of the bed, but there’s a couple of additional things you can do to help make their stay wonderful (and better than any five-star hotel). Style their bedside table with a bud vase filled with a seasonal stem, a carafe of water and glass as well as a lamp to allow for some pre-bedtime reading (you could also leave them a copy of a favourite book). A diffuser placed on a side table will subtly scent the room – just don’t go for anything too overpowering. Try using our seasonal scents to strike the right balance. And finally, don’t forget their tech. A universal charger and card with Wi-Fi details will mean they won’t have to awkwardly ask and make their stay seamless.

Powys Classic Pillowcase
Super Soft Faux Fur Throw & Cushion Collection

Super Soft Faux Fur Throw & Cushion Collection

£60.00 to £215.00

Dove Grey

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Supima Cotton Towels
Colville Cushion Cover
Colville Cushion Cover

Colville Cushion Cover

£45.00 to £55.00

White

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Norton Stool

Norton Stool

£120.00

Natural

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Powys Bed Linen Collection
Erin Throw
Luxury Wool Cashmere Throw

Luxury Wool Cashmere Throw

£185.00

Soft Blush

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