Interiors: Dressing up the spare room for Christmas

‘Tis the season to get your guest room ready, says Sam Wylie-Harris.

When it comes to dressing the home for Christmas, it’s only natural our living rooms steal the limelight and become the focus of attention.

After all, this is where the fir tree grabs the spotlight in all its twinkly glory – central to family gatherings and festive get-togethers.

But spare a thought for sleepovers, namely the spare room.

Indeed, according to a recent survey by David Wilson Homes, more than four in ten respondents with a spare bedroom (42%) wouldn’t be prepared for a guest to stay.

To pave the way for hosting over the holidays, David Wilson Homes has teamed up with interior design expert, Rebekah Earls from Show Business Interiors, to help you get guest-ready.

Declutter

“Before you begin adding festive touches, make sure your spare bedroom is clean, tidy, and ready for visitors,” highlights Earls.

“Decluttering can be easier said than done, especially if your spare room isn’t often stayed in – and has become a storage room.”

Ottomans and underbed storage can hide unwanted clutter, suggests Earls, and think about stylish units for organising bits and pieces.

Warm bedding

Having fresh bedding is a must, notes Earls. But as she points out, think about those little things to add that extra festive touch.

“Using rich cotton bedding will make guests feel especially cosy, and additional blankets are always welcome for cold winter nights.”

Fairy lights

A spare set of fairy lights might be just what you need to add a festive touch.

“Fairy lights create a beautiful ambience if used tastefully, but there are three things to watch out for when deciding if fairy lights are right in a bedroom,” warns Earls.

Personal touches

“Christmas is a time of coming together, and you can show loved ones you care by adding personal creative touches.

“While you’ll want to save your big gifts for Christmas Day, providing a few new toiletries for them to use can be a simple show. To make it even more special, ditch the cardboard packaging for a festive wicker basket.”

Sound is also important.

“A lot of people have trouble sleeping in an unfamiliar bed, regardless of how comfortable they are in your home.”

She says one way to make them feel more comfy is to provide a speaker, so they can play their music quietly at night.

If your spare room has a TV, think of a few festive films to watch before they go to sleep.