Guest Room Makeover Ideas

Creating a beautiful guest room doesn’t have to mean a complete renovation or spending a fortune. Sometimes the simplest changes can completely transform a space and make your guests feel truly welcome. Whether you have a dedicated guest bedroom or a small spare room that rarely gets used, a few thoughtful updates can turn it into a cozy retreat your family and friends will love staying in.

When we started updating this guest room, the goal was to create a calm and welcoming space that felt warm, comfortable and practical, while still fitting with the style of the rest of our home. These are the simple changes that made the biggest impact.

Table of Contents

• Clear the Space
• Choose DIY Projects That Add Character
• Board and Batten Wall Panelling
• Adding Wallpaper
• Window Coverings
• Updating Vinyl Wardrobe Doors
• Updating the Bed
• Revamping Furniture
• Lighting Ideas for a Guest Room
• Invest in Comfortable Bedding
• Add Personal Touches

Clear the Space First

Before starting any guest room makeover, begin by decluttering and cleaning the space properly. Removing unnecessary furniture and excess decor instantly makes a room feel calmer and more inviting.

A clean slate also helps you work out what the room actually needs. Think about comfort, storage, lighting and practicality before adding decorative details.

Choose DIY Projects That Add Character

One of the easiest ways to transform a guest room is with simple DIY projects that add personality and warmth. A guest room should feel welcoming rather than overly styled or impersonal.

You might consider:

• Painting an accent wall
• Adding wall panelling
• Creating a gallery wall
• Updating furniture with paint
• Adding wallpaper for texture and interest

For this guest room makeover, we chose board and batten wall panelling topped with wallpaper to create a cozy and elegant feel without overwhelming the space.

Board and Batten Wall Panelling

Board and batten is one of my favourite ways to add character to a room without spending a fortune. It instantly gives a plain room a more custom and elevated feel.

The beauty of this DIY project is that it works in almost any style of home — from modern farmhouse to classic cottage interiors. It’s also surprisingly beginner-friendly.

We loved the warmth and texture it added to this guest bedroom, especially paired with wallpaper above the panelling.

We also have a full step-by-step tutorial showing exactly how we added board and batten to our master bedroom.

Adding Wallpaper

Wallpaper is such an easy way to make a guest room feel cozy and layered. Combined with board and batten, it creates a timeless and sophisticated look.

Whether you choose florals, subtle stripes or a soft textured pattern, wallpaper can completely transform the atmosphere of a room. We wanted this guest bedroom to feel calm, soft and welcoming, and the wallpaper helped tie everything together beautifully.

Window Coverings

One of the biggest changes in this guest room makeover was updating the window coverings. Curtains and roman blinds instantly make a room feel softer, warmer and more luxurious.

We chose a linen roman blind from Blinds Online and selected the remote-control option. I absolutely love this system because there are no hanging cords, which keeps everything looking neat and tidy while also being safer.

For curtains, we worked with Two Pages Curtains and chose the Stefana Silber Print. The pattern paired beautifully with the linen blind and gave the room a warm and cozy feel.

If you’d like to see some of my favourite curtain and blind options, you can browse them on my Shop My Favourites page.

We also upgraded the trim around the window with wider moulding and added a small decorative shelf underneath to create a more custom look.

Updating Vinyl Wardrobe Doors

Old vinyl wardrobe doors can really date a room, but replacing them completely isn’t always necessary.

Instead, we updated ours with a simple DIY shaker-style makeover using MDF trim. This gave the wardrobe doors a much more custom and timeless appearance without the cost of replacing them.

If you’re looking for an affordable DIY wardrobe door makeover, this project makes a huge impact for very little cost.

Updating the Bed

The bed is naturally the focal point of any guest bedroom, so updating it can completely change the feel of the space.

We transformed an old vintage bed with paint to lighten the room and create a softer feel. Rather than choosing a stark white, we selected a warmer tone that complemented the roman blind and wallpaper.

The bed sat quite low, so we also added timber feet to give it more height and presence in the room.

Revamping Furniture

Before buying new furniture, consider what existing pieces you could refresh instead. Sanding back and repainting furniture is a great way to save money while creating a more collected and personal space.

For this room, I’ll be updating a side table along with an old desk and chair rather than replacing them completely. I love the character older furniture brings to a room, especially when mixed with newer pieces.

Lighting Ideas for a Guest Room

Lighting can completely change the atmosphere of a guest bedroom. A layered lighting approach helps create a cozy and relaxing environment for overnight guests.

For this space we added:

• Wall-mounted remote-control sconces
• A desk lamp
• Rechargeable light bulbs for flexibility

One of the best parts about rechargeable lighting is that we didn’t need an electrician or additional power points.

Soft lighting instantly makes a guest room feel more welcoming and comfortable.

Invest in Comfortable Bedding

If there’s one thing worth investing in for a guest room makeover, it’s quality bedding.

Comfortable sheets, soft pillows and layered blankets make such a difference when guests stay overnight. I always like to include:

• Soft, breathable sheets
• A cozy duvet
• Multiple pillow options
• Extra blankets for colder nights

Guests may forget your decor, but they’ll always remember how comfortable the bed was.

Add Personal Touches

The final step in creating a welcoming guest room is adding thoughtful personal touches.

Simple additions can make guests feel instantly at home:

• Books and magazines
• Fresh flowers
• Decorative cushions and throws
• A small bowl of snacks
• Local guides or recommendations
• A handwritten welcome note

These little details help create a space that feels warm, thoughtful and inviting rather than just somewhere to sleep.

Final Thoughts on Creating a Cozy Guest Room

A guest room makeover doesn’t need to happen all at once. Start with the basics that will make your guests feel most comfortable — good bedding, soft lighting and practical storage — then slowly layer in character and personality over time.

By combining simple DIY projects, cozy textures and thoughtful details, you can create a guest bedroom that feels calm, welcoming and truly special for anyone who stays there.

You’ll find all the products, curtains, blinds and decor pieces featured in this guest room makeover linked on my Shop My Favourites Page to make recreating the look a little easier.