Your guide to turning a spare room into a coastal retreat.

Kitchens are obsessed over. Primary suites get the plush treatment. But guest rooms often wind up as an afterthought: a place for last year’s mattress, hand-me-down nightstands, and that old set of mismatched bedding.

It’s time to call an audible on all that. In our opinion, every room should rise to the occasion, including those reserved for guests. Because a beautifully designed guest space does more than host. It creates a space where memories unfold and linger long after the weekend ends.

Guest spaces come in many different shapes and sizes. You might be outfitting a whole guest house, a spare room downstairs, or a special bunk room for the grandkids. Whichever it is, use these tips to create a getaway that invites guests to kick back and enjoy their stay. 

Start with a soft, coastal palette 

The best guest room design ideas start with restraint. Think salt-kissed whites, warm oaks, and misty shades of blue that echo the view from your back porch.

For our Edgartown Jewel Box guest house, we paired soft white walls with a navy built-ins and oak floors, letting the palette do the heavy lifting. The goal was to create a timeless base that feels fresh and breathable, without treading into “overly themed” coastal territory. 

And color doesn’t stop with paint. Layer it in through linen headboards, stonewashed quilts, woven window treatments, and tonal art. Intentional tone-on-tone color palettes lend well to a coastal interior design. 

Pro tip: Avoid anything too stark or saturated. Stick with sun-washed shades and hues that feel like they’ve been faded by time and tide.

Design for comfort, not just looks 

Style means nothing if your guests can’t sleep. A great guest room starts with the basics: a comfortable mattress, breathable bedding, and layered lighting. 

In the Village Retreat, we integrated an overhead flush mount, brass sconces above each bed, and a compact reading light by the accent chair. This is layered lighting at its best—providing zones to unpack, sip a cup of coffee, and wind down without bumping elbows.

If you’ve got the space, add a bench at the foot of the bed, an accent chair in the corner, or blackout linen drapes for slow, lazy mornings. Small touches like a carafe of water or a thoughtfully selected book say: “you’re welcome here.”

Make the most of small-space storage 

Most guests arrive with a carry-on or weekender bag. Even so, they need a place to tuck things away.

In our Seaview Avenue bunk room, we built in drawers below the bunks and used wall hooks instead of a bulky dresser. At the Edgartown Jewel Box, a low-profile bench and a vintage armoire made the small space feel complete, without feeling crowded.

Even a single drawer or a small luggage rack can go a long way. And don’t forget a small dish or tray to corral keys, jewelry, and sunscreen. 

Style with meaning, not motifs 

Skip the “Life’s Better at the Beach” signs. Your guest room doesn’t need to shout its theme. A simple callback to its coastal roots will do the trick without going overboard.

In the Village Retreat, one guest room features a muted abstract seascape above the bed, with neutral linen drapes and an antique oar tucked into a corner. At the Jewel Box, a framed black-and-white photo of the Edgartown harbor sets the tone. Think coastal without kitsch.

Consider adding a few small elements that reflect your location or story: a bowl of sea glass from nearby beaches, a handwritten welcome card, or a vintage book of coastal photography. 

Let the space feel curated, not cluttered. The best ideas for guest room decor always start with intention.

Related: Make your coastal home feel intentional with these five design details → 

Extend the getaway beyond the bunks 

If your guest space includes an en suite bathroom or sitting area, carry the same palette and materials throughout.

At Seaview Avenue, we designed a guest bath with classic white subway tile, bright chrome fixtures, and subtle illustrated sailboat wallpaper, mirroring the textures from the bedroom next door. The result is a connected (but not overly “matchy”) space.

In guest house designs, we often use rugs or lighting to define zones: a cozy reading nook here, a dining alcove there. The most inviting elements are the quiet luxuries. Think plush bedding and towels, a sea salt scented candle in, a beach bag to borrow, and a basket of toiletries in case your guests forgot something.

Create space for connection

A guest space is a container for memories. It’s where your oldest friend crashes after a beach bonfire. Where your mom reads to the grandkids before bed. And where your sister wakes up to the sound of gulls and the smell of fresh coffee.

Design the space to honor those moments. Keep it simple, but don’t hold back on the thoughtful details. When you treat your guest space like a retreat, it becomes something more than a place to crash. It becomes an experience your guests won’t soon forget.

When you’re ready to design a coastal home that feels like a getaway every day, we’re here to help.