FOR many of us the holiday period means we are taking stock of our spare rooms in the welcome anticipation of family and friends staying for a night or three.
This year, I decided that the ‘once over’ would not be done the night before but months before so I had time to make changes rather than do a quick dust and a vacuum.
First thing to do was look for some hints from decorators and designers as our guest room could use a total spruce up.
When it came to colours, the advice was to go dramatic if that is what you would have liked to have done in the much used rooms of your home but were worried that if you used a ‘significant’ colour on your walls, you may soon tire of it.
But in your spare room which is best described as short term accommodation, the guests don’t stay long enough to tire of a colour and your infrequent entry into the room continues to carry a ‘wow’ factor.
If the room is small, the advice is to use the dramatic colour on the wall, and an off white on the ceiling to give a greater feeling of space.
If the room is a more traditional-sized bedroom, then you can use a lighter shade of the wall colour on the ceiling to add definition.
Soft furnishing colours can add further drama to the room and don’t be bashful with these – a bright red bed throw, a patterned floor rug can easily add that ‘designer’ feel to the room.
And while I was reading about advice on wall colours I came across some excellent advice on guest room additions.
One is a foldaway luggage rack or two so guests can easily access their suitcases and the rack can be stored away when not in use.
Maybe, also think about exiting the wardrobe and replacing it with a clothes rail with a shelf at the base and don’t forget to add hangers to the rail. You can make it look ‘very designer’ by placing square woven baskets along the base so underwear, shoes and other essentials can be placed – easy to hang but out of sight.
A small table and chair, if there’s room, is a thoughtful addition especially if a mirror is hung on the wall above it.
The experts also advise not to forget a bright, bedside light while changing the room’s light bulbs to something that gives more subdued lighting.
