Guest Room Makeover: Turn Your Space Into a Boutique Hotel
A guest room makeover is about making the space cozy, functional, and luxurious. The best part? You can transform an unused room into a high-end, stylish retreat without breaking the bank.
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Whether you’re getting ready to host friends, family, or even out-of-town visitors, a well-designed guest room can make all the difference. From repurposing furniture to layering thoughtful design touches, this makeover breaks down exactly how to achieve a boutique hotel vibe on a budget.
It’s about more than just aesthetics—it’s about creating a welcoming environment that guests will love and remember. If you’ve been thinking about upgrading your guest space or breathing new life into an underused room, this guide is here to inspire and help you every step of the way. Let’s get started!
This post is all about a cozy guest room makeover on a budget!
READ MORE>>> Room Inspiration On Inspired Design Talk 2024
The Starting Point
Before we dive into the makeover, here’s a quick backstory. We transformed this space into a guest bedroom in 2019, at the peak of Airbnb.
At the time, we were becoming empty nesters, and with our last child heading off to college, we had more room than we needed. The home office with a separate entrance was a perfect space for the change.
We used it as an Airbnb, but that chapter has ended, and now it’s only a guest room for friends and family. I thought documenting the process and sharing how it looks today would be helpful for anyone planning a guest room makeover of their own.
Bedroom Inspiration & Planning
For me, the first step in any design project is figuring out the look and feel I’m going for. Since this was going to be a guest room and an Airbnb, I wanted it to feel like a boutique hotel experience—something cozy but still elevated.
The main inspiration for this room came from Hotel White Lisboa, in Portugal. I just fell in love with its contemporary style, neutral color palette, crisp white bedding, and soft gray accents. It had such a clean, sophisticated vibe with this open, expansive feel that I knew would be perfect for our guest room.
The neutral palette wasn’t just stylish; it was super practical too. It’s the kind of look that appeals to a wide range of people, which was key for making our listing stand out when guests are scrolling through the app. So, that was the jumping-off point for the whole design to create that boutique hotel vibe while keeping it fresh and inviting.
Mood Board and Sourcing
From there, I created a mood board and started pulling together the actual pieces for the design. Since we were on a tight budget, the plan was to repurpose items we already had to get a similar look for less.
Planning the Layout
Next, I moved on to the floor plan to create the layout for the bedroom design. I decided to use two full-size beds that we already had in my kids’ rooms—they’d moved out, so the beds were just sitting there.
The idea was to create a double-bed Airbnb listing. We only hosted two people at a time so this setup was perfect because friends could travel together and each have a separate bed. That was a selling point and made the listing more appealing.
Creating a Perspective Drawing
To bring the vision to life, I created a perspective drawing to visualize how the space would come together. I highly recommend you don’t skip this step—it’s such a game-changer for planning your design to make sure everything looks good together.
Setting the Foundation
Once the design was finalized, it was time to set the stage.
Fresh Paint
We emptied the room and painted the walls Classic Grey and the trim Simply White. These colors created a calm, neutral backdrop that instantly elevated the space.
Flooring
Our home has hardwood floors, but we added carpet tiles for warmth and noise control. They were a budget-friendly solution that also gave the space a custom look.
Beds & Bedding
Creating a welcoming and comfortable bed setup is a must in any guest room.
The Setup
Two full-size mattresses and box springs from previous bedrooms were repurposed. New grey headboards and white bed skirts gave the beds a polished, cohesive look.
Headboard Only // Fully Upholstered Bed
Looking back, though, I wish I had spent a little more on an upholstered headboard and frame because it gives a much more elevated look. The bed skirts, unfortunately, haven’t held up well over time—they’ve torn, which has been frustrating to fix.
Luxe Layers
Here’s how we achieved a boutique hotel look:
- Mattress Protection: Fully encased protectors keep everything clean and fresh.
- Bedding: Crisp white sheets, duvets, and only four pillows per bed (no extra decorative ones).
- Throws: Originally, I used faux fur throws but ditched them to simplify laundry.
White Duvet // Comforter Insert // Mattress Cover // Sheets // Pillows // Pillow Cover // Quilted Pillow Cover // Bed Skirt
Practical Details
We wanted to make sure the room was as functional as it was stylish for our guests. One of the essential items I added was a luggage rack.
It’s a small detail that makes a big difference so guests have a place to unpack their suitcase other than the floor. It keeps everything organized and also off the bed, so the duvet stays clean. It’s an easy, space-saving solution that helps create that hotel vibe we were after.
Furniture & Decor
Now for the fun part—decorating!
Furniture on a Budget
Instead of buying all new furniture, I repurposed what we already had:
- Painted old side tables black to serve as nightstands.
- Reused my daughter’s black desk and paired it with a lucite chair and soft faux fur throw for texture and style.
Layered Lighting
Layered lighting created a cozy and functional atmosphere. We included:
- Overhead LED ceiling fans: For comfort and air circulation.
- Capiz floor lamp: Adds soft, mood lighting.
- Table lamps: Perfect for bedside reading or task lighting.
Window Treatments
Curtains can make or break a room. For this makeover, I combined:
- Roller blinds for privacy and light control.
- Floor-to-ceiling curtain panels for drama and height.
This was an affordable IKEA curtain hack where I added grosgrain ribbon trim for a custom, high-end look.
Pro Tip: Install curtain rods close to the ceiling to draw the eye upward and create the illusion of height.
Affordable Black Out Shades
One challenge we faced was a neighbor’s sensor light that stayed on all night. A guest brought it up, so we added paper blackout shades behind the roller blinds.
This simple peel-and-stick solution made the room much more functional for guests who need total darkness to sleep. It’s such an easy, budget-friendly fix for privacy and light control.
Entertainment & Amenities
A guest room isn’t just about looks; it’s about function. Instead of cable TV, we added a Firestick with Netflix. It’s budget-friendly and encourages guests to spend more time enjoying the area, instead of being cooped up inside.
Guest Essentials
We added a mini-fridge, microwave, and Keurig coffee maker for extra convenience. A three-drawer storage table holds coffee pods, tea bags, utensils, and other essentials.
Keurig Coffee Maker // Tea Kettle // Assorted Tea Set // Mini Fridge // Microwave
For comfort and convenience, we also included:
- A freestanding clothes rack.
- An over-the-door full-length mirror.
- Laundry baskets for beach towels (since we’re near the beach).
Personalized Artwork
Now, let’s talk about the decor which is the finishing touch to complete your guest room. To add personality and set the tone for the room, I added this ‘inhale-exhale’ vinyl decal right above the bed. It’s a little reminder for guests to take a deep breath and trust the process.
Next, I created a gallery wall full of inspirational quotes, positive messages, and images that reflect the local area, like this NYC skyline print. It’s all about creating a vibe that feels welcoming and inviting.
The Wi-Fi password artwork at HomeGoods is perfect for Airbnb guests because they don’t have to ask you for the password when they arrive. It’s one of those little details that make a difference in the overall design and help set the right tone for the space.
Little reminders like turning off the fan or being mindful of noise add a personal touch while keeping the space well-maintained.
Final Thoughts
And that’s a wrap! This guest room makeover shows how you can transform an unused space into a stylish, functional retreat on a budget. From repurposed furniture to thoughtful design details, we created a high-end look that’s inviting and practical.
Whether you’re hosting family, friends, or Airbnb guests, this space shows it’s possible to achieve a luxurious feel without breaking the bank. I hope this inspires your own guest room makeover!
This post is all about a cozy guest room makeover on a budget!
Last Updated on December 2, 2024 by Nicole DelaCruz
