Welcoming Buyers to the Guest Room

In real life, your guest room may serve as a catchall for odds and ends, but when your sale preparation, the room needs to say nothing but “Welcome, guests.” That means stripping away anything that doesn’t contribute to a warm, cosy night’s sleep.

If you’re using one of your bedrooms for something other than its intended purpose — as a kid’s play room or toy storage, a hobby room, or an office — restore this space to its original function as a secondary bedroom or guest room. You want this space to be organized and gender neutral so buyers can easily imagine their children or their guests resting comfortably.

The guest room should look like a serene place for an overnight visit. Here are some ideas for creating this retreat:

• Use neutral, solid coloured plush bedding — a very on trend look and simple enough that buyers can focus on the room instead of the bedding.
• Use white or cream sheets, which give the room a feeling of a luxurious bed and breakfast.
• Add two to four pillows to the bed — two with shams and two with solid pillow cases to add subtle softness to the room.
• Include a bed skirt or use a bedspread that goes to the floor to cover the box springs and add softness to the space.
• Add a tray with a tea set or a spa basket.
• Clean out the wardrobe so the floor is empty; hang a few padded hangers and a bathrobe or two in the wardrobe.
• Even though most bedrooms have overhead lighting, add a lamp to the dresser or nightstand for an additional layer of light in the room.
• Accessories like silk flowers, green plants, books, artwork, or a mirror cosy up the space.