Simple Ideas To Get Your Guest Room Summer Ready
Is your guest room summer-ready? Discover simple and stylish summer guest bedroom ideas to create a welcoming retreat for friends and family. From light linens to summer accent decor, find easy tips to refresh your guest space for the season.
As the warm days of summer roll in, it’s the perfect time to prepare a welcoming guest room for friends and family. A thoughtfully designed summer guest room not only provides a comfortable place for guests to relax and sleep but also adds a touch of seasonal charm to your home.
Summer is the time of year when our guest room gets the most use. Lots of family and friends come and visit and even stay a while. So, our guest room underwent a little refresh before the summer season was too far underway. We updated its look and added a few summer-inspired touches to make our visitors more comfortable and feel more welcome.
Our Golf Guest Room
Our golf guest room comes by its name honesty! This is our largest guest room and it overlooks our golf course.
The views from the window are pristine, and every season displays nature’s best beauty in a different way. Summer is verdant, lush, and busy with golfers—no wonder our visitors pick this guest room for their stay!
My Idea Of A Perfect Room Refresh
I refreshed the space for the golf-themed guest bedroom by replacing some furniture and accents with items I already had. This was easy because we have a cohesive whole-home color palette. This allows me to move furnishings from one area of my home to another, knowing they will blend seamlessly.
If you’re interested in creating a similar cohesive look, check out my guides on How to Choose a Color Palette for Your Home and How to Transition to a Neutral Color Palette. These resources can help you achieve a cohesive and attractive home aesthetic.
With a bit of creative thinking and some muscle power, I was able to move a few pieces of furniture in and out of the guest room, giving it a fresh, updated look. For example, the small table now beside the bed originally lived in our sunroom. It looks much better here, adding charm and functionality to the guest room. This simple change highlights how versatile your existing furniture can be when you have a consistent color palette.
One of the accent chairs in the guest room was once used in our dining room. And the upholstered headboard came from our master bedroom.
Everything except the curtains came from the other rooms in our home or the basement.
Best Summer Guest Room Idea-Keep It Simple
The best idea for a summer guest bedroom is to keep it simple—simple bedding, simple accent decor, simple everything—simple but comfortable! Create a little private space for your guests so they can spread their things out and make themselves at home in your house!
Here are three ideas for keeping your guest room simple…
- Keep flat surface decor to a minimum.
- It’s nice to offer your guests an empty closet with lots of hangers. Or at least give them lots of space to hang their clothes.
- Give your guest’s drawer space for folded clothes.
- Keep your personal things like family pictures, souvenirs, and sentimental-to-you items out of the guest room.
Summer Bed Ideas
Helping our guests get a good night’s sleep is essential, especially in the summer when light layers of high-quality bedding are important. Comfortable bedding not only helps your visitors feel more at home but also ensures they wake up refreshed and ready to enjoy their stay. Opting for good quality sheets, light blankets, a comforter, and a summer-weight duvet or another blanket folded at the end of the bed are excellent choices.
For this bed, we selected a white comforter and a lightweight chevron blanket as a topper, with a white summer-weight duvet neatly folded at the end of the bed. High-thread-count sheets provide a soft and breathable base, while the combination of layers allows guests to adjust their bedding to their comfort needs throughout the night. Adding a few extra pillows, including a mix of firm and soft options, ensures that every guest can find the perfect level of support.
Considering the climate and temperature fluctuations common in summer, it’s a good idea to provide an oscillating fan or ensure proper air circulation in the room. This can help maintain a comfortable sleeping environment.
A bedside table with a carafe of water, a reading lamp, and some calming lavender-scented sachets or a spray made with essential oils can further enhance the guest experience, promoting relaxation and restful sleep.
Here are a few extra tips about a comfortable summer bed…
- High-Quality Mattress: Invest in a good quality mattress for your guest beds. Avoid using old, worn-out mattresses, as they can significantly impact sleep quality.
- Variety of Pillows: Provide a selection of pillows, including both down and foam options, to accommodate different preferences. This ensures that every guest can find the perfect pillow for a good night’s sleep.
- Choice of Sheets: Keep both cotton and linen sheets available. These materials offer different textures and breathability, allowing guests to choose what they find most comfortable.
- Extra Blanket: Place an extra blanket in the guest room to ensure guests can stay warm if they get cold during the night.
- Personalized Preferences: Note any repeat guests’ preferences and make the bed suit their needs. This personalized touch shows thoughtfulness and enhances their comfort.
- Blackout Curtains: Install blackout curtains or shades to help guests sleep better by blocking out unwanted light.
- Quiet Environment: To create a peaceful sleeping environment, ensure the guest room is in a quiet part of the house, away from noisy areas.
By paying attention to these details, you can create a guest room that is not only comfortable but also inviting and thoughtful, helping your guests have a pleasant stay.
Add One Extra Layer
Even in the summer, adding a decorative throw to the end of the bed is a smart idea. Not only does it add an attractive layer to the room’s decor, but it also provides a convenient option for guests who want to take a nap or read in their room without getting under the covers. A throw can offer just the right amount of warmth and comfort, especially if the air conditioning makes the room feel cooler.
In the golf-themed guest bedroom, I chose a gray nubby decorative throw. This choice not only introduces a grounding color contrast to the otherwise light and monochromatic room but also adds a touch of texture and sophistication. The throw complements the room’s decor while serving a practical purpose, making sure that guests have everything they need for a comfortable and enjoyable stay.
Decorative Pillows
How can something so attractive spark such strong opinions? Some people love decorative pillows, while others prefer a more minimalist approach.
No matter where you fall in the pillow debate, considering your guests’ comfort is most important. Instead of piling on lots of pillows, I opted for a more restrained approach in our guest rooms. For the guest room bed, I chose two white Euro shams and three large pillows.
Using a very edited hand, I resisted the urge to add more pillows, even though the images made me want to throw in five more! However, when it comes to guest beds, restraint is best. Too many pillows can be overwhelming and impractical.
In our golf-themed guest room, I decided to keep the pillows light and the same color as the bed. This choice contributes to a calm and cohesive atmosphere, making the room feel serene and inviting.
If you do use pillows on the guest beds as I do, it’s important to think about where your guests will put them when they sleep. The floor is not an ideal option. To address this, I provide an empty closet for guests to store the pillows. This ensures the room remains tidy and the pillows are kept clean and off the floor.
By thoughtfully selecting and managing pillows in the guest room, you can create a comfortable and aesthetically pleasing environment that caters to your guests’ needs and preferences.
Here are other ideas for decorative pillows in the guest room…
- Bigger is Better and Less is More: Opt for fewer, larger pillows instead of many smaller ones. This approach keeps the bed looking neat and inviting without overwhelming the space.
- One Big Lumbar Pillow: Use one large lumbar pillow across the bed. It adds a stylish touch while providing excellent support for guests who want to sit up and read or relax.
- Basket for Decorative Pillows: If your room is spacious enough, add a basket to hold decorative pillows. This will give guests a convenient place to store extra pillows when they go to bed and keep the room organized.
- Stacked Bed Pillows: Stack two bed pillows on top of each other and skip the decorative pillows. This minimalist approach creates a clean, uncluttered look while still offering comfort.
- Light Fabric for Summer Pillows: Use light, breathable fabrics for summer pillows. Materials like cotton or linen are ideal for keeping the bed cool and comfortable during warmer months.
With these ideas, the guest room remains functional and stylish, providing a welcoming atmosphere for your visitors.
The Nightstand
Adding something seasonal to the nightstand can enhance the welcoming atmosphere of your guest room. Even if space is limited, you can still incorporate thoughtful details that make a big impact.
The nightstand in our guest bedroom is small, but we maximized its use by hanging sconces on the wall instead of placing a lamp on it. This frees up space for a small pot of summery daisies, bringing a fresh, organic element into the room.
Including something organic, like a plant or fresh flowers, adds a warm and inviting touch to the guest room. A potted plant, in particular, is a wonderful choice because it not only brightens the space but also serves as a lovely parting gift for your guests. Sending them home with a memento from their stay, such as a potted plant, creates a lasting impression and makes their visit even more memorable.
By thoughtfully selecting items for the nightstand and incorporating seasonal and organic elements, you can create a cozy and personalized space that your guests will truly appreciate.
Here are other things you might want to consider next to your guest’s bed…
- Nightstand with Drawers: Choose a nightstand that includes drawers to give your guests a place to store their personal items. If the nightstand lacks drawers, place a basket next to the bed for guests to use for their essentials.
- Accessible Outlets: Make sure there is an easily accessible outlet near the nightstand so guests can conveniently charge their electronics at night.
- Adequate Lighting: Provide a lamp or install another light source near the bed, like a wall sconce, so your guests have ample lighting for reading before sleep.
- Welcome Surprise: Add a special touch by tucking a new magazine or two behind your guest’s pillows, along with a welcome note. This small gesture can make your guests feel particularly appreciated and excited about their stay. I love to do this for our guests.
- Decorative Plate for Water: Place a small decorative plate on the nightstand for your guests to put a water bottle on. This adds a thoughtful touch while also protecting the nightstand’s surface from any condensation.
By incorporating these thoughtful elements into your guest room nightstand setup, you can create a comfortable, convenient, and welcoming space for your visitors.
Other Summer Guest Room Ideas
- Keep Things Simple: Simplicity is key to creating a relaxing environment. Avoid clutter and stick to essential, thoughtful items that enhance comfort.
- Luggage Rack: Add a luggage rack to the guest room. This provides a convenient spot for guests to place their suitcases, making it easier for them to unpack and access their belongings.
- Ask About Allergies: Before your guests arrive, inquire about any allergies they might have to detergents, fabric softeners, animals, scents, plants, and more. This allows you to prepare the room accordingly and ensure a comfortable stay.
- Baby Essentials: If your guests are traveling with a baby, stash a pack-and-play, fitted sheets, a changing pad, and other baby necessities in the guest room. This makes it easier for parents and ensures they have everything they need.
- Extra Linens: Place extra sheets and towels in a dresser drawer for your guests. This will provide them with fresh linens whenever needed and add a layer of convenience.
- Comfortable Seating: Add a chair to the guest room. This offers a comfortable spot for guests to sit, read, or relax without having to use the bed.
- Blackout Shades: Install blackout shades in the guest room. These are especially useful during long summer nights, allowing guests who go to bed early or need a nap to sleep comfortably without being disturbed by light.
By incorporating these thoughtful touches, you can create a guest room that is not only comfortable but also accommodating and considerate of your guests’ needs.
I hope these summer guest bedroom tips will help you get your bedrooms summer-ready for friends and family!
Great ideas, thank you. Will you share your source for the bedskirt in the golf room?
Oops, not Ballard Designs – it was Soft Surrondings.com
The bedskirt came from Soft Surroundings.
What a beautiful guest room. I have read your blog for a long time and always look forward to a new post. I noticed in the golf guest room that there was an air vent on your baseboards under the window. I have these in my house too.
I was wondering if you have any tips on how to hang curtains so that the airflow isn’t blocked? I have almost an entire wall of windows facing the west in our living room. Needless to say, it gets very hot. I have blinds up now, but want to add lined curtains to soften the look, as well as block some of the heat. This would involve covering 2 vents. I really don’t want to hang them above the vent/baseboard. I prefer my curtains to skim the floor. Any Ideas would be appreciated.
Hi Shannon, We don’t close our drapes so this is not a problem. I don’t really know how to solve this problem, but I did a quick search and found plastic diverters. You might want to google them and see if they could work for you. Hope this helps.
Yvonne- I’m looking for pillows like the tan and white trellis pillows on your guest bed. Would you tell me where you got these? thanks!
Hi Diane, they came from Pottery Barn years ago. I have not seen them in stock for a while. Sorry!
I too love the bed skirt/dust ruffle you used in this room. I have seen it in some of your past posts as well. Can you tell me where you purchased it please. I love your style and your ideas! Keep them coming, I never tire of them.
You can find it at Soft Surroundings.
Love all of your decor! I would love to see in some of your posts, if it is possible the big picture of a room. You have such wonderful information but the peeks are of small, up close portions in a room. Thanks for sharing your home.
I have company in the guest room this week, but when they leave I’ll take some longer shots and add it to this post.
Love all of your ideas and your pretty color scheme too. I am in the process of trying to redo my guest bedroom, so this was a real treat and full of ideas.
Gorgeous. Where did you get the drapes?
Here you go:https://rstyle.me/+kTD7fBA-6zPTz_VLnkfoJw
What a beautiful guest room. Anyone would be happy to stay there. An additional thing that I did for our guest room was to print out our wifi password and put it in a small pretty frame then set it on the night stand. It keeps people from asking to ask for it.
Great idea!
A very nice and relaxing room! Okay, since no one asked, is the dresser from Wayfair?
The dresser is from Pottery Barn. You can see a link for it at the bottom of the post. Hope this helps, Donna
Love the lamps! I have them in a Wayfair cart but I don’t yet have a place for them!
I really enjoy your blog. Your home is lovely and you are so kind to share your ideas!
Where did you get the Scripture sign that’s above the bed? I would love to put that in my entryway.
I have always had a neutral home. So when I want a refresh, I do what you do- shop my basement! I enjoy changing my home out for the seasons. And….I coincidentally have many of the same decor items! Great minds! Thanks for your inspiration.
Hi Yvonnne, I,too expect company this summer and have much to do to get ready! Thanks for all the helpful tips!
Love your blog!
I WOULD LOVE YOUR BLOG EVEN MORE IF YOU WOULD PROVIDE HOW WHERE TO PURCHASE THE FURNISHINGS, BACKSPLASH, LINEN HEADBOARD, RUGS, ECT ECT . IT IS RATHER frustrating TO SPEND hours SEARCHING FOR YOUR AMAZING THINGS . I LOVE EVERY THING… I DID FIND THE MOEN SMART FAUCET .!
Hi Lee, Right now I am working on a bit of a blog redesign and will have as many sources as I can find. Hopefully by Thanksgiving.
I have the same bedskirt from SS and love it. Where did you get the rest of your bedding? And also where did you get the framed Numbers passage above the bed?
I totally love your “Guest” Bedroom color scheme! Where did you find that beautiful bedskirt? Gotta have it for my master bedroom….I have been searching high & low for one just like it!! Absolutely love your blog and your style….I wish I could do cream or white but my husband hates the neutral scheme. So i am trying to incorporate more of the beige with some cream mixed in.
Hi Yvonne, I love these Wednesday favorites, and always look forward to them.
What is the source for the “Hello” on your front door? and the multi hook coat/wall hanger in the entry?
Hope you are having a good summer.
Mildred
Yvonne, you’ve blown my mind that you use the blanket as a topper to your white summer comforter! I have been doing the reverse all these years which, of course, doesn’t have the same pizazz! Thank you for this sage tip. I’d love to spend the night in your serene golf guest room.
You are so welcome Debra! xo
Where did you get the small pot of daises?
Where did you get the Numbers 6 verse print? I HAVE to have one. My father (now deceased) always used that as his benediction when he preached so it has a special place in my heart and memory. Now my husband uses that as his benediction when he is asked to give he benediction. It is such a special blessing.
I don’t have much room for art in my home with open concept but I will find a place for it.
Thanks
I love this sign! Here you go:https://rstyle.me/+Y4GHpSHWBYj0ZnZpmbEWEw
Love the bed coverings in the guest room!
This is such a gorgeous guest room. So restful. I would feel perfectly comfortable in this lovely room. Great tips as well.
Blessings to you.
Such great advice, Yvonne. I am working towards a whole house color palette.
Simply beautiful as always. ?
Such great ideas as always. I just had a house full for my son’s graduation and used several of your ideas. You’re so right about keeping it simple it makes cleaning up that much easier too. Ready for the next guests. Thanks Yvonne.
You are so welcome. Congratulations to your son and you!
Can you tell me why you put the blanket on top of the comforter? It’s normally the other way around. This way your summer guests have to take the blanket off to take the comforter off if they only want to sleep with the top sheet and blanket on a summer’s night.
I’m heading into my guest room shortly to take a few pieces off the bureau. While the vignette is pretty there isn’t much room for their things. Thank you for that reminder.
I put the blanket on top of the comforter for a couple of reasons, Joanna. The comforter and the blanket are both lightweight so it really does not make a difference what layer is taken off first. And the blanket is so pretty so why shouldn’t it be on top. And finally, with air conditioning the room is cool, even in the summer. Hope this helps.
Lovely! One thing I always display for guests is a photo of them. For long-time friends and family, I frame a snapshot from years ago – they always love this personal touch!
Yes this is such a lovely idea!
Can you recommend a soft white paint for two small bathrooms? Our house is eight years old. As much as I dread it, I think it is time to start painting over the builders grade paint. I will start with the bathrooms and move on to the two bedrooms, leaving the great room for last. I hate having the house in disarray but I have put it off long enough. Thank you.
Hi Lin, It’s hard to recommend the right paint for your bathroom. I need to know the undertones of your flooring and anything else in it. We painted our whole home Simply White by Benjamin Moore. It’s a soft white with just the hint of a yellow undertone. Check it out.
Yvonne, you have the most beautiful home and such a great taste for style. I enjoyed seeing your blog until my computer was hacked and I haven’t gotten it fully recovered. Anyway, I wanted to ask about a few things here. The Bible verse above the bed is so lovely, did you make that yourself or could you share with me where you purchased it? I also love the brass light fixtures and would love more info about those as well. One last thing, it seems you posted something about knitting a coverlet for a bedroom in your house. You said it was a very easy pattern, I’m a new knitter and would love to try making that if you remember what pattern you used.
Thank you,
Marsha
Hi Marsha, I did not make the bible scripture verse. You can find it here: https://rstyle.me/+y8ssvSRV5q5j3q8RHiV8qQ
The light fixtures are no longer available but here is one that is similar: https://rstyle.me/+a6_KMjMm93r5dsIcrAxLmw
As for the knitted coverlet, I just used a knit stitch and made the coverlet. I did not have a pattern.
Thanks so much for your kind comments!
Where did you get the lovely nightstnd? I am looking for a small table like that for my living room and that would be perfect?
Hi Diane, here you go; https://rstyle.me/+WPvX0sZeLsTW3WimG4YOOg
These are terrific ideas! My sis and husband always like to sleep with a fan on and do appreciate black shades.
Thank you for sharing your experience with us. God is blessing us through your sharing.
Hi Fran, I’m so glad you like the ideas.
So beautiful
I would love to share some of my decorating ideas. I’ve been decorating for many many years. I have some beautiful guest bedroom pics !!
thank you kindly Kathy.
Love your bed linens. Where did you get your white cover & chevron blanket?
Hi Suze, I’m sorry, I had the cover for so long I forget.
Your guestroom is beautiful! So light and airy! Where is your nightstand and dresser from? I love the stain color.
Good monring,
I love the potted daisies. Can this be purchased somewhere? Thank you.
I do stack my bed pillows. Sorry I did not include it in the images.
The we perfect timing. Lots of guests coming in succession next month. You mentioned to stack the bed pillow and skip decorative pillows yet your room has no bed pillows… where do you keep them? This is such a calm and comfortable room. I love it every time you share photo’s.
Beautiful golf guest room. I love your style. Do you have links to the bedding?
Sorry, the bedding on the that bed are all out of stock.
Did I miss any info on your blackout blinds? I have beautifuly trimmed out windows and don’t want to hide it with drapes. The blinds I have on my guest room windows do not provide complete darkness in the early morning light so I’m in the market for new replacements.
I found my blackout blinds. HERE:https://rstyle.me/+ikAgj9Ugs2wvwhU9jJxFug
We love them! They are on sale now.
Love these ideas! Can you share where the top layer bed blanket is from (the white and wheat colored sort of chevron style blanket)? Thank you for the great ideas!
Hi Lorie, I found it on Amazon, but it is no longer in stock. Sorry I can’t help more.
I’m looking for a small bedside table similar to the one you have in this bedroom.
Would you have a suggestion where I can find one?
You can usually find a good variety of bedside tables on Wayfair. Check there first.
No such dust ruffle on Soft Surroundings. Any other possibilities? Thank you
They must have discontinued it. I did a search for you, but I can’t find this anywhere on the web. Sorry.
what a beautiful guest room! It’s so relaxing. I know your guests love it! Can you tell me where you found your headboard? I enjoy your blog!
I found the headboard on Wayfair. It’s out of stock, unfortunately. Here is one that is similar:https://rstyle.me/+aWoHq-pvh_jGcbIZodFIyg
I add a phone charger with multiple adapters should they leave their charger at home. Also, I have a small sign that inclues our WiFi password. My guest love this touch!
Great ideas, Lynette! Thanks for sharing.
All very thoughtful suggestions, Yvonne. I love the framed scripture for a guest room. I’m going to add it when I redo our guestroom. Thank you.
Where did you get the lamps for the guest bedroom?
I found it on Pottery Barn. It’s no longer in stock. But I think this is the exact one or a close match. See it here:https://rstyle.me/+gTOzLvO8n2aHWpnlfLg7Rg
Absolutely love the simpler yet elegant styles and fewer decor items around. We are going to renovate the outside flat to double up as a guest cottage and start our own bed and breakfast. Your ideas and guest room is the perfect example for us to be able to do something similar. It is going to be some time before we get there but your information and advice is much appreciated. We live in South Africa and appreciate you sharing with us.
How lovely! Safe travels, Marina.
Where did your drapery panels come from in your article about guest room ideas?
Hi Terry, the curtains came from Ballard Designs. Sorry, they are no longer in stock.