Yours, by Design: How to Style Inviting Guest Spaces

Whether riding roller coasters at Six Flags, catching a Frisco RoughRiders baseball game, or enjoying the air-conditioned Mesquite Rodeo, Dallas-Fort Worth is a great vacation destination teeming with things to do. It makes sense, then, to create the perfect guest space for family and friends coming to Texas for a visit.

Normandy Homes, with neighborhoods in popular DFW suburbs, builds modern, functional floorplans with today’s families in mind, including new models with more bedrooms and bathrooms than before. With additional space to welcome loved ones, your out-of-town guests will love the personal added touches to enhance their stay.

Guest Bedroom Retreat

“Normandy floorplans offer great areas for dedicated guest suites, so when possible, do just that — let your guest space serve as an area dedicated just for them,” said Christina Wilcocks, Director of Design for Normandy Homes. Even if it serves a dual purpose, make it easy to remove or hide at-home office piles or other clutter. “It’s most important to keep the space clean and uncluttered.”

Whether you have a designated guest room or house guests in your child’s bedroom (while they have a slumber party in the movie room), you can create a private, well-appointed space for grown-up guests. Day beds or murphy beds in movie rooms or game rooms offer another guest option. 

Walking into a bedroom oasis with comfortable bedding and stylish pillows helps guests easily retreat after a day of travel. Start with a comfortable mattress, soft sheets with a quality thread count, and luxurious pillows. In addition to providing visual interest, thoughtfully lay out quilts or duvets in various weights for personal preferences, keeping in mind the guest who is always cold or who can’t cool down! A ceiling fan or bedside fan is also helpful. Don’t forget to consider allergies to things like down bedding or scented aromatics.

Out-of-towners love to sleep in on vacation, so consider blackout curtains or sleep masks. Other nice touches include a personal TV as they get ready in the morning (though phones and tablets can negate the necessity) or a comfortable chair for reading or catching up on social media.

Infuse your own personal style that matches the flow of the entire home. But don’t be afraid to get creative or play with color and patterns, while also making it intentional. 

Practical, Personal Touches

Beyond a cozy bed and inviting design, offer your guests at-home amenities that make it easier when they’re living out of their suitcases. Provide ample storage, including space in the closet with empty hangers and a luggage rack for easy access. If they’re a long-term guest, make drawer space available.

On the bedside stand, have a welcome sign with the Wi-Fi password and other pertinent guest information (like tricks to your shower head or breakfast options). Wilcocks also suggests a bedside lamp, a charging pad for electronics, and a night light for the guest to use if they need it. Placing a guest book in the room or entryway is also a nice way to remember their visits.

Guest Bathroom Ideas

You can truly go above and beyond in your guest bathroom, creating a hassle-free, hotel-like experience for loved ones. Normandy Homes’s bathrooms start with gorgeous design and elevated features, with some guest spaces including an en-suite bathroom (such as the Avignon floorplan). 

Start with oversized, fluffy towels and a luxurious robe. Light colors and matching linens add to the spa-like atmosphere, plus hidden storage keeps clutter at bay. Make sure guests have a place to hang their towels and a soft bath mat to step onto. Stock up on quality shampoo, conditioner, soaps, lotion, mouth wash, and more. 

Other tips include:

  • Providing an amenity kit in a stylish countertop basket with essentials like cotton balls and Q-tips readily available. 
  • Keeping practical items easy to find, such as extra toilet paper and a hair dryer.
  • Making a dedicated space on the shelf for toiletry bags and personal items. 
  • Ensuring ample lighting with natural light, working blinds, and no burned-out lightbulbs.

If your guest is using your children’s bathroom, clear out any clutter including bath toys, toothbrushes, and piles of hair accessories. For the privacy of your guests, consider having your kids use your master bathroom while visitors are in town.

Finally, make sure the guest bathroom is squeaky clean, including the shower, tub, floors, mirrors, counters, and toilet. Use flowers, a candle, or diffuser to make the bathroom smell fresh. Periodically check in on the guest bathroom for any mid-visit freshening up.

With a few special touches, you can create a comfortable, calming guest suite for your roller-coaster-riding visitors to retreat to each night. Your guests likely want a memorable visit with you, and an intentional guest room provides opportunities for relaxation and connection. 
To find your new home in DFW’s highly-desired cities such as Frisco, Celina, and Prosper, discover Normandy Homes communities available now and coming soon.