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10 Simple Steps to Creating a Boutique Hotel Style Guest Room

A wooden tray with a croissant and flowers on top of a bed

Give your Christmas guests a stay they won’t forget by transforming your spare room into a boutique hotel bedroom with all the luxurious touches they could need. But be warned, they might not want to leave…

What your spare room needs to become a room with the hotel feel:

1. The bed

A good night’s sleep is never to be underestimated. As well as a sumptuous, comfy mattress and a stylish wooden double bed, bed linen is important too. From a super soft duvet to beautiful linen duvet covers and high-quality sheets and pillowcases, a warm bed to snuggle in after a long day is a must.

2. Bedside table

Second on the list is about adding style but also convenience for your guests. Bedside tables should have everything they need from a table lamp to an easily accessible plug to charge phones and tablets. They also add symmetry to a room, a detail that won’t go unnoticed.

3. Wardrobe or chest of drawers

You want your guests to feel at home so make sure they have all that they need including somewhere to store their clothes. Reclaimed wood furniture, especially wardrobes and a large chest of drawers, add all that a guest would need.

4. Dressing table

A dressing table with drawers is simply perfect. It gives your guests somewhere to sit to finish getting ready and, if necessary, can double as a work desk too.

5. Lighting options

Walk into any boutique hotel bedroom and you’ll notice the many lighting choices in the room. Easy and quick to add, as well as bedside lamps, consider a floor lamp too, perfect for casting light into a shadowy corner.

6. Mirror

There are two reasons to add a mirror (or two). One, they are an essential – who doesn’t need a mirror in the morning or as they dress? And secondly, as well as being decorative, they also reflect light in the room, something that every spare room should have plenty of.

7. Candles and diffusers

A room that appeals to all the senses is the one that guests will fall in love. Surround them with the opulence of oak bedroom furniture or rustic furniture, along with stylish attention to details, including the gentle scent from candles and diffusers. They will instantly relax and unwind, feeling better than they do at home.

8. Bedroom seating

Often forgotten or left out due to space constraints, a chair in the bedroom is perfect for draping clothes at the end of the day, for sitting on to pull on shoes or to relax and read…

9. Rugs

A rug is perfect for adding texture. You could opt for a large oversized rug under the bed or, for an extra hint of luxury, add two smaller rugs, one on either side of the bed to give feet an extra treat as they get up in the morning.

10. The small extras

And finally, the little extras are always welcomed by guests. Tissues, a water jug with glasses, a clock, towels… all these small things add the finishing touches that let your guests know you are looking forward to their stay.

Dining Rooms with Standout Style

Luxe dining room with light grey button back dining chairs

The dining room is a versatile, functional space and with these stylish ideas, will be the standout room in your home.

Make a statement with lighting

Layers of light add so much to a room, yet we so often ignore the various tiers of light we need, that the room can lack ambience. As well as functional lighting – that is, the light you need to see when cleaning and so on – you need warm, background lighting. This means opting for a statement pendant, which the eye is attracted to and is a detail that can be discovered as your eyes roam the room. As well as large lights, consider smaller, quirkier, stylish pendant lights for the dining room.

Knockout seating

Upholstered dining chairs add an instant hint of luxury to any dining room. Leather dining chairs have their place but if you really want knockout appeal, consider adding velvet, jewel-coloured velvet dining chairs. The use of texture adds luxury and elegance no matter what style of reclaimed wood dining table you have opted for.

Go large with the dining table

There is something about an expanse of tabletop that signifies the luxury of space and style in the room.

Creating a standout dining room probably means you enjoy entertaining, whether that’s informal nibbles at a drinks party or a sit-down dinner party. Space for people to sit and enjoy their meals and each other’s company is best done around a spacious dining table. A 6-seater dining table ticks many boxes but if you have the space – you need a clear metre between the back of the chair and the wall or furniture when someone is sitting at the dinner table – why not opt for an 8-seater dining table? If you struggle for space between dinner parties, consider an extendable dining table.

Shoutout sideboards

Every dining room needs storage, but there is no reason why wooden sideboards can’t be standout elegant pieces. A standout sideboard can be the combination of materials, such as the polished finish of the metal against rustic reclaimed wood as in the Luxe Kensington wood sideboard. Or, it can be a notable piece as a result of the exquisite detailing. The detailing of the Pimlico elm sideboard is not to be ignored, and neither is the quality of the build and craftsmanship from every grain and join.

Divide and conquer

Open plan living is popular. Perfect for seamless living and uninterrupted flow between zones and ‘rooms’, smaller ‘barriers’ between sections are not uncommon, however. Use furniture that doesn’t completely block the view from one area to another, and pieces that create a statement is also valuable too. For example, a large open display unit can add both a stylish confidence and help divide the room, as can a slim, tall bookcase to create a ‘doorway’ effect.

Wonder walls

And last, but by no means least are the walls. Creating a statement with large pieces of artwork is easy to do. As well as artwork, be as quirky as you like by considering adding mirrors, especially above the sideboard for an elegant detail that will never fail to attract attention. Clustering smaller frames of photos and artwork too, for extra detail that never fails to impress.

Give your home a cruelty-free makeover

The message that the environment and our planet can no longer sustain our current choices is being heard by a growing number of people. There are many drivers, one of which is opting for a vegan lifestyle. Choosing products and items for your home that are cruelty-free and made from sustainable, environmentally-friendly sources is key. But how do you know you are making cruelty-free choices for your home? Just what do you look for?

1 Opt for ‘faux’ materials rather than animal skins

Leather is a superior material, hardwearing and robust but when the source of the leather cannot be verified – and that’s quite often the case – choosing faux leather is a better option. Just as hard-wearing and robust, it is hard to tell the difference between one and the other and so faux leather dining chairs will offer the same style and finish for your dining room with no harm to animals.

2 Choose reclaimed wood furniture for your home

Choosing furniture from sustainable sources makes sense at a time when the world’s natural resources are under pressure. Reclaimed wood furniture is made from hardwoods that have served a different purpose. Using skilled craftspeople, what looks like large chunks of wood and beams can be made into beautiful, stylish pieces from bedframes to reclaimed wood dining tables.

3 Use eco-friendly paint

The technology behind paint and the dying of paint is one that has developed enormously in recent years. Traditional paints, both gloss and emulsion, however, have tended to not only swallow a lot of natural resources but also a lot of energy too. Removing chemicals from paints has, in the past, meant the quality was not what we expected – until now, that is. Eco-friendly paints are low fumes but of the high quality that we expect, the perfect partner for reclaimed wood furniture.

4 Use natural materials from sustainable sources

We mentioned cruelty-free materials, but natural materials are also an ideal option. You need to be confident that they are from sustainable sources, however, and the people who grow, farm and process them are paid a fair wage. Rattan and bamboo are two materials that tick all the boxes. Fast growing, they can be harvested quickly and once dried in the sun, become incredibly strong. Their strength is magnified when woven together. With different colour options too and plenty of choices including rattan dining chairs and bamboo pendant lights. And don’t forget to dress the table with natural fabrics too, such as beautiful linen napkins and tablecloths.

5 Choose recycled glass items

Glass is a material that can be easily recycled and so opting for recycled glass wear in your home is also a great move towards sustainability. Who knows what life this recycled glass table lamp had previously, but isn’t it wonderful to think about?

Using cruelty-free and reclaimed materials in your home doesn’t limit your choice but enhances it. How will you make a start?

Go vegan with fabulous faux leather dining chairs

Dark brown faux leather chairs around a reclaimed wooden dining table with decor

November is World Vegan Month, a chance to raise awareness about not just eating vegan but opting for a vegan lifestyle. Some people still think of veganism as being extreme but it could hold the answer to the growing environmental crisis we are all facing. Incorporating vegan or cruelty-free aspects into interior design and décor is growing at a fast pace but what does this actually mean?

Sustainable, cruelty-free furniture and products in the modern dining room (and across the home)

The dining room is a wonderful space for family and friends to gather which is why you want it to be stylish. Reclaimed wood furniture, as well as other sustainable, natural materials, are ideal for the modern dining room. And with cruelty-free also on your mind, you’ll be pleased to know that no animal (or the environment) were harmed in the styling of your dining room.

Reclaimed wood dining table

With your dining room walls daubed with your favourite shade of eco-friendly paint, you can start to dress the room with the must-have furniture and items. Start with a reclaimed wood dining table.

Made using reclaimed hardwood such as English oak beams, reclaimed wood tables come in a range of finishes and styles so no matter what final look you are opting for, there is a table that will fit with your rustic style, the industrial look as well as a contemporary finish or Scandinavian appeal.

Pair with faux leather dining chairs

Leather is a soft, supple material that is the by-product of the beef industry. Whether you are a meat-eater or not, we are all becoming more aware of how animals are treated. Unless leather is certified as cruelty-free, you are unlikely to ever really know where the leather came from.

Faux leather is the synthetic equivalent and boasts all the same properties as its natural counterpart. Faux leather dining chairs are the perfect accompaniment to a reclaimed wood dining table. With so many choices of faux leather dining chair, just how will you decide?

Fabric dining chairs can be cruelty-free too

When opting for natural materials, choose ones that are grown and farmed organically, and from a source that is both fair to workers and sustainable. Cotton can be organic and sustainable, as too can other materials, used in upholstered dining chairs. Cotton or linen fabric dining chairs are a great choice, with many being at the cutting edge of stylish, modern dining chairs.

Choose a style that embraces the sustainable, cruelty-free choices

Of course, opting for an interior design style that embraces and welcomes sustainable, cruelty-free materials and products will help in your final choices. The rustic style has long been embedded in using reclaimed and repurposed materials, as has the farmhouse style. The industrial edgy look was born from living in partly-converted buildings that embraced their industrial past. And the Scandinavian style is one passionate about the use of natural materials that bring the spirit of the natural world inside.

Clever style tips for a welcoming home office

The home office is not always a place you work in isolation. At some point, you may welcome clients into your home office space and that means giving it a facelift so it looks appealing, stylish and professional. You can’t get away with a stark home office desk with not much décor – and why would you want to – even if it is only you that will see it!

Add texture with soft furnishings and office rugs

You may not have thought to add an abundance of soft furnishings such as scatter cushions or a large grey rug to the sofa or small armchair in your office, but, trust us, it will instantly lift the space by adding texture. There is a sumptuous luxury associated with fabrics, especially in a productive and creative space such as the home office.

Don’t forget scent

Another factor that lifts the room and makes it a welcoming, inviting space is the scent. From fresh flowers for a visually appealing addition to the gentle perfume of diffusers and premium, luxury candles, adding an understated scent to a space will add an instant welcoming note.

Make the most of the space with informal seating

If you can’t fit an upholstered sofa into your home office, take a look at adding two small armchairs and a reclaimed wood coffee table opposite your reclaimed wood desk to make an informal meeting space. If you don’t want to add swathes of colour, opt for the neutral but warm tones of a leather armchair or two. If there is one material that oozes sophistication it is leather.

Place sculptural forms on reclaimed wood furniture

Storage in the home office is essential because it means you have on display only the things you want people to see and admire. Reclaimed wood furniture is beautiful in any room and in the home office, it brings the perfect stylistic notes that you are looking for. Crown this glory with beautiful sculptural objects that emphasise your good taste to your clients.

Create a statement art wall

There is nothing more understated than an expanse of clear, painted wall but if you are not overly keen on being too minimal, then creating a ‘wall of art’ is the ideal solution. Choose pieces of artwork that have connections either in style or colour. Using different sizes of frame and mixing and matching artwork, create a wall of art that your clients will enjoy looking at and admiring.

Be organised & deal with clutter!

It may be that for the majority of the time, you work alone in your home office with client meetings being only an occasional occurrence – or it could be the opposite. Either way, clients will form an impression as soon as they enter your home office, so you need to be sure that it is sending the right signals. And that means being organised. Deal with clutter and make sure there are plenty of storage solutions that keep the office tidy.

Frame office furniture in the room

Just like in other rooms in your home, for the office to look balanced and symmetrical, reclaimed wood office furniture needs to be framed. At its simplest, this means grouping items together in a way that makes sense. For example, a rug, two small armchairs, a coffee table or side table with a lamp will instantly appeal to your client, as will a tidy desk and a stylish focal point in the room.

Are dark colours best for sofas?

What would be your choice – a statement colour or the pleasing elegance of light coloured seating? We took to Houzz to ask our followers what they thought and the results were clear…

We Asked, You Answered

We asked which was your preference, light coloured sofas or dark coloured seating. The answer was unequivocal – it was darker coloured sofas. And no wonder, in many ways, because a darker coloured sofa is more practical for a busy household, especially those with children, grandchildren and/or pets running around.

Dark coloured sofas

Darker shades can hide a myriad of sins as well as being a focal point of the room. with the style and size decided, know all you need to do is to choose a colour.

PRACTICAL

In terms of practicality, a combination of a darker shade with a wipeable material is a must for many customers. Thus the brown leather Chesterfield sofa is a fantastic choice. As well as the colour making a style statement, the classic style and shaping of the Chesterfield along with the button detailing also makes it the stand out piece. Whether you choose this piece or the grey Chesterfield sofa, it’s sure to be a stand out piece.

COLOUR OPTION

If you want colour, then deciding on light or dark shading of your colour choice is a big step and critical to the success of the sofa in your home. The Grayson lounge sofa comes in velvet or a bespoke finish, and in a colour of your choice. The beautiful orange shade it a sheer delight but be careful with colour on such a long-term item because a strong colour is difficult to manage when you want to change to colour of walls or flooring.

However, we can’t deny the beauty of this on-trend colour, especially with a tan or brown leather armchair framing it.

HINT – if you want colour but not too sure that a huge three-seater sofa in mustard yellow will be on trend for years to come, why not opt for a coloured armchair or two instead? Much easier to re-use in other rooms – such as a bedroom chair – a coloured fabric armchair is not so much a compromise but a great stylistic choice.

Lighter coloured sofas

In our eyes, there really is something incredibly elegant and dare we say, a brave stylistic choice when it comes to incorporating a light-coloured sofa in the home. It is the epitome of luxury and although neutral in shade and colour, will be the item that draws the most attention.

Combining colour and style is always a winning combination. Very much like the leather Chesterfield sofa mentioned earlier, the cream sofa with the button back detailing and the beautiful dark wood feet is a statement, if ever there was one. Add yet more glamour with the gold coloured trim on the Hanbury cream sofa.

If cream is too light and too neutral for your taste, you can always welcome a grey Chesterfield sofa into your living room. On the border between a dark colour and a neutral shade, this sofa also makes the perfect choice when you want to remain undecided or unsure of which shade to opt for. You can always switch up the look of the room with modern rugs in a variety of colours.

But don’t forget, no matter whether you choose a light or dark coloured sofa, you need to frame it in all its elegance. And that means a reclaimed wood coffee table that is just the right size, maybe a pretty side table or nest of tables and, of course, an armchair that compliments the entire look.

The luxurious four poster bed and how to make the most of it

There are many trends tipped for next year but the one that caught our eye was the four-poster bed trend. What is it about this beautiful bed style that catches our eye, and oozes opulence and luxury? Is it a trend you’ll opt for?

Interior design trends come and ago but there are some that hang around for a long time and when they do, their style is updated and changed to reflect our modern tastes.

Alongside minimalist bedrooms and natural materials, the four-poster bed is expected to make a comeback. But if you are thinking of the grand four-poster with ornate columns and yards of drapery, you need to take a fresh look.

The modern four-poster bed

Like the rest of our reclaimed furniture items, the 4-poster bed is the epitome of style and grace but why do we fall in love with the iconic shape time after time?

Imposing – typically, the four-poster bed makes a huge statement in the bedroom in its size. It tends to be larger – that is, taller – and more imposing on the eyeline than other shapes and styles of bed. From chunky columns to ornately carved wood, beds of this ilk are imposing but the modern version is streamlined without losing impact.
Style – there are various styles available from the huge and very imposing dark wood, carved style to the minimalist style such as our beautiful Bahamas four-poster bed. With four columns extending upright, the connecting with the side panels gives it a true four-poster quality but without swallowing the room.

Will a four-poster bed work in a small room?

It’s tempting to assume that the four-poster should only grace a boudoir with acres of space but we think this beautiful style of reclaimed wood bed can suit the smaller bedroom.

In the case of the Bahamas four-poster bed, for example, the streamlined beauty of the columns and crossbar give the overall style but without shutting down the room too much.

Likewise, the absence of heavy drapes common to 4-poster beds means that the eye is allowed to wander around the small space, with nothing cluttering it or sucking at the light.

The supporting bedroom furniture items are also important choices in the smaller master bedroom with a four-poster bed in situ. For example, opting for taller, statuesque items such as a tall chest of drawers helps to balance the symmetry. A well-placed wooden blanket box along with matching bedside tables helps to pull the room together too, ideal for a cohesive style that isn’t overbearing.

Not convinced…?

You may love the idea of a four poster bed but are unsure that it will work in your bedroom. Maybe ceiling height won’t allow it, or the dimensions or shape of the room dictate a different approach.

As well as the four-poster with a streamlined, modern edge, the interior design trends for the bedroom in 2019 suggest that the bed should be simple, with clean, elegant lines to match the uncluttered appeal of the room – just like the Standford reclaimed wood bed. Dress the room carefully and similar to the suggestion with the four-poster bed – opt for a versatile wooden blanket box and matching bedside tables with a rug of our choice to bring it all together.

What changes will you make to your bedroom décor this year?

Adding festive style to the living room

The festive season is the time to add yet more style and aplomb to your living room, whether you have a small one with a 2 seater leather sofa or a large one with numerous comfy armchairs and like most other things, trends come and go when it comes to festive decorations and accessories. We’ve taken a look at what some designers predict will be making their way into the living room this Christmas.

Ring the changes with the tree

We know there is better smell or look than a real Christmas tree but if you’ve had enough of battling the dropping pines on the floor, then opt for an artificial tree. Ring the changes with a coloured tree.

In the Modish Living studio this year, we are working with silver and white, opting for a lush silver tree to add decadence and festive cheer this year. We’ve also opted for classic white decorations, sticking with wooden items when we can to sit with our penchant for reclaimed wood furniture.

Silver may be our metallic of choice this year but we still have a hankering for gold and brass finishes too. The gold coloured trim and the dramatic black oak combination of the Blackbone Collection is new in and is already proving a popular collection – and no wonder with its festive tones and finish.

Go miniature

The minimalist style is popular. Uncluttered with stylish lines and a crisp white backdrop, the minimalist style you may think, won’t sit easily with the festive cheer of Christmas decorations.

But you’d be wrong. We love the idea of a tiny potted tree, perfect for the minimalist look as well as for those of us enjoying a bijou living room in our home. Sit it on the mantelpiece and use delicate fairy lightings in its tiny branches to add a pleasant detail.

You could also tie a pretty bow or two and opt for small baubles, sticking with one colour to maintain the link between the minimalist style and festive cheer. Add texture and warmth to a room with a neutral tone rug too, such as our salt and pepper rug.

Stick with recycled Christmas decorations

As well as attempting to use less single-use plastic, many of us are very conscious of things like glitter and tinsel being environmentally problematic.

Of course, the sparkle is now synonymous with Christmas so if you must have glitter, opt for the environmentally friendly stuff. Take a peek online and you are sure to find a provider.

If you love our reclaimed wood furniture, you will love the idea of recycled Christmas decorations too. From ornaments carved out of reclaimed wood to Christmas decs that have been upcycled from other materials, anything made from recycled material will look fabulous on your large sideboard or your reclaimed wood coffee table.

Buy local

We all know the pressure the high street is under – now magnify those difficult trading conditions tenfold and you have some idea of what local small businesses face. Buying local means supporting your local high street, whether that is a small village shop or a cluster of shops in your local town.

Artisans crafters create truly stunning and unique pieces, Christmas decorations that will last for years to come. Small Business Saturday at the beginning of December will hopefully remind many people to buy local, buy small and support local craftspeople.

Grey rugs, the perfect partner for almost any style

Grey is a fantastic colour to use and works well in every style from rustic to industrial and contemporary, just at home with an oak table with metal legs as with a reclaimed wood bed. You can just about get away with grey in the Scandinavian style too, although to stay true to its roots, keeps the addition of grey minimal. Introducing this neutral colour in the form of a grey rug also adds texture to space. Even better, a grey rug works in any room.

The dining room

A grey rug in the dining room provides a platform around which the entire room can be styled – no matter what room you are styling, always start with the rug and build around it.

What we love about grey rugs is their versatility and for the texture, they add to a room. In the dining room, you want to create a style that lends itself equally to occasional formal dinner parties as well as acting as an informal family dining room.

This patchwork patterned grey rug is a superb base, fitting well with both the formal and informal look we need.

It is a divine partner to the industrial dining table, complementing the grey dining chairs, ideal for adding cohesion. An open shelved, slim console table is the final piece that complements the industrial style dining room.

In the living room

You may want to opt for neutral colours in the living room but in a home with pets or a family home, neutral shades of beige, cream and white are simply not functional. Grey offers more leeway in terms of neutrality with the warmth of dark grey rug with a traditional pattern a sheer delight.

Add the ‘glamour look’ with the use of high shine metallic surfaces such as the Hanbury sofa, available in a two and three seater option.

Against the backdrop of cream and grey, this golden yellow velvet armchair is a sheer delight. In fact, if you are looking for a pop of colour against grey, golden or mustard yellow with deeper, earthier tones is ideal.

The golden frame of the industrial coffee table, from our new-in Blackbone Collection, makes the ideal addition too.

In the bedroom

Grey is a beautiful colour in the bedroom. We’ve opted for a blue-based grey in this lighter grey rug from the Lois de Poortere collection. Cooler and lighter in shade is a refreshing backdrop for the bedroom. Married with the warmth of a reclaimed wood bed, the appearance is not too cold or harsh.

We’ve opted from the solid wood sleigh bed from the Winchester range, a superior example of the beauty of reclaimed wood furniture. Sitting atop the grey rug, you have the perfect backdrop for moving your style in any direction – opt for warmer shades for the Scandinavian look, or pastels to bring a hint of the farmhouse, for example.

We’ve aimed this look towards the rustic adding a wooden blanket box for storage as well as this light oak small shelf ladder. Unassuming, it is an exquisite piece and one that is proving popular.

Is grey rug something you have considered? Which room do you think it works best in?