When it comes to home design, the guest room is often the forgotten space until the holidays roll around. Most of the year, guest rooms are filled with storage boxes, an ironing board, and left over craft supplies. Until you decide to move into Home Design 101 mode, the room lacks excitement.

Home Design Updates: The Guest Room

The good news is that redecorating a guest room can be a fun and easy home improvement project. You might be able to do it yourself or hire a contractor for odds and ends, like building bookshelves or adding decorative trim. The key to guest room home improvement is to understand the audience.

Is it an elderly aunt? You might want a contractor to install new bathroom floor tile with added texture to prevent slipping, for example.

Or, will there be young kids in the room? Try a bin full of toys and stuffed animals.

Home Improvement Musts

Here are some common home design must haves for a guest room:

• Comfy bedding, pillows and rugs–you want guests to think they are in a fine hotel
• Reading material–whether it’s for a 4-year-old or a 45-year-old
• Good lighting–the proper lighting can make a room feel welcoming and inviting

If you’ve got a connecting bathroom focus on some quick home improvements–new tile, mirrors, faucet and towels can help transform a room.

Home Design Fit For a King

In the end, you should have a guest room that takes your home design to new levels without taking it too far off course. Stick with the same style and color palette found in the rest of the house. A few quick home improvement projects–plus the robe and slippers–and your guests can know they’re on vacation.