8 Steps to Turn Your Bedroom Into a 5-Star Hotel Room

Sure, everyone wishes they could settle into a five-star hotel permanently and never look back, but there are plenty of ways to replicate the ambiance of a luxe guest room back home, too. We spoke with experts who offered insights on how to design a sleep space so that it feels as comforting and sophisticated as possible. Read on for eight tips that you can begin to implement in your home today.

The Spruce / Sanja Kostic

Meet the Expert

• Charles Almonte is an architect and interior design consultant with his own company.
• Candace Plotz is the founder and principal designer of Candace Plotz Design.
• Doris Roberts is the owner and principal interior decorator at Doris Roberts Interiors. She has multiple professional certifications.

1. Don't Skimp on Bedding

Many people look forward to snoozing in a cushy hotel bed when traveling, swearing it helps them sleep better. Whether you require a solid nine hours per evening or can squeak by on just six, you'll want to maximize your sleep time at home by making your bed ultra comfortable and soothing. "Purchase the best bed linens you can afford," designer Charles Almonte urges. "Beddings should be soft and feel luxurious as it touches your skin. It should make you feel like you are being embraced in a soft cocoon." Linen bedding is a popular choice at the moment, and there's a good reason as to why. "Linen bedding creates a refined yet lived-in-look that never goes out of style and is temperature regulating so it’s perfect for year round use," designer Candace Plotz explains.  

Silk pillowcases are also becoming more and more mainstream (and are said to have a number of hair and skin benefits, too!). Talk about putting the beauty in beauty sleep—what's more luxurious?

The Spruce / Sanja Kostic

2. Address Lighting

Think about the atmosphere you'd like to create in your sleep space. Notes Almonte, "Lighting should be moody and soft and can sometimes be sexy, too!" Not sure where to begin? "Indirect lighting such as lamps with soft fabric shades or cove lighting are great options," he explains.

The Spruce / Christopher Lee Foto

3. Streamline Accessories

High-end hotel rooms are never filled to the brim with accessories and knick-knacks; rather, they're thoughtfully curated with just the right amount of decor, so you'll want to take this approach with your own bedroom, too. "Minimize visual clutter," Almonte states. "A personal touch, such as a small vase of flowers, an elegant clock, or a sterling silver jewelry dish on the bedside table is sometimes enough." Choose items that you'll be happy to admire as you wake up each day, and toss or donate anything that doesn't make your space feel more zen.

4. Be Your Own Housekeeper

One of the best parts about staying in a luxe hotel? Not having to worry about making your bed each morning and returning to a pristine room after a long day of eating, drinking, and exploring a new city. But, Almonte says, you should certainly make every effort to tackle this chore as soon as you wake up each day. Not only will it get you up and moving, it will make your evening routine feel a bit more special. "Come bedtime, you’ll feel like you just walked in to a five-star hotel bedroom that offered a turndown service," he adds.  

The Spruce / Sanja Kostic

5. Hang Mirrors

Hotel rooms don't have to be large in size to feel beautiful and inviting, and neither does your bedroom. But if you do want to make your space feel more expansive, consider this tip from designer Doris Roberts. "Strategically place mirrors in the space to help reflect light and to make the room feel larger," she offers. We suggest leaning one atop a desk to create a makeshift vanity—this will also help make your bedroom feel like it belongs in a boutique hotel—or hanging mirrors above each bedside table.

The Spruce / Sanja Kostic

6. Display Art

Artwork is what gives a bedroom extra personality and is a key component of luxury hotel rooms, too. Here, take the opportunity to display a large canvas or framed piece. Gallery walls, while a favorite for other rooms of the home, don't look quite as luxe in the bedroom. If you're drawn to a modern aesthetic, a large abstract piece is an excellent choice. If your style leans more traditional, consider hanging a framed landscape. Black and white figure drawings are also quite chic; lean a few atop a dresser for a casual, Parisian vibe.

7. Add a Rug

Roberts encourages placing "a comfortable, plush rug" in the bedroom. Why not set a soft sheepskin (faux is fine, too!) by your bedside? Your feet will get the royal treatment as you emerge from your cocoon each morning. Moroccan rugs are also extremely cozy; choose one in a black and white hue if you don't wish to overwhelm your space with color.

The Spruce / Sanja Kostic

8. Don't Forget About the Bathroom

Everyone appreciates a spacious, spotless hotel bathroom. Finish the hotel vibe by making your own loo as sleek and streamlined as possible. Tuck beauty products away into drawers or bins to keep the sink area free of clutter. Display just a few everyday essentials in a petite basket and set it atop a marble tray. Ensure your space is well-stocked with everything you or a guest might need: washcloths, extra toilet paper, plenty of hand soap, and the like. Just add a candle or a chic bottle of perfume and you're all set.

The Spruce / Sanja Kostic

Summer brings us suntans, cookouts, fresh watermelon recipes, and—fingers crossed—beach vacations, and winter gives us Christmas celebrations galore. However, if you know your home will become a revolving door of family reunions with each new season, it's never a bad time to elevate your guest room from #WFH office to boutique hotel room.

Home decor blogger, Wendy Lau from The Kwendy Home (@TheKwendyHome), has stayed in her fair share of hotel rooms from her time as a flight attendant—the most memorable ones considered all five of her senses. Keep reading to learn how to curate a guest room that even your mother-in-law will love by including taste, smell, sight, hearing, and touch with little touches and simple techniques.

Marta Xochilt Perez; Styling: Page Mullins

Stock the Room with Snacks

While you aren't advertising yourself as a Bed & Breakfast, it is a huge mood boost for your guests to find a thoughtful snack after a long day of travel. Wendy suggests using a small basket to hold the snacks. "It doesn't have to be fully stocked—even a carafe on the nightstand or a chocolate on the pillow is a lovely touch." Using a vessel to hold the snacks—like a basket, pillow or otherwise—makes the gift feel purposeful. It elevates it from last-minute addition to thoughtful decor.

Sooth with Essential Oil

Aromatherapy is a therapeutic technique for a reason. Essential oils help regulate any high strung emotions that come with the stress of travel. According to Mayo Clinic, some studies have shown it reduces anxiety and improves sleep through the smell receptors in your nose. Let the pleasant scent soothe your guests' nervous system by setting up a diffuser in their bedroom. Wendy's favorite? "Citrus! It's a universally pleasant scent!" According to Healthline, it's also known to lift your mood and relieve an upset stomach (which might come in handy if family dinner doesn't go as planned).

Listen to Your Guests' Needs

Whether you live next to a construction zone or at risk of a rooster wake-up call, offer earbuds. When Wendy was a flight attendant she always appreciated these thoughtful amenities during overnight trips—a tip she decided to bring home with her after years of travel. If goodie bags aren't your thing, try a welcome playlist. Wendy said, "I remember the hotel lobbies always had soothing music playing in the background, which helped set a calming tone to my stay. Music has a way of dictating our mood, so you can influence the desired ambience by playing something energetic and upbeat or soft and relaxing." Eye masks are another great amenity to offer your guests, especially if you don't have blackout curtains. The better your guests sleep, the happier they will be at breakfast.

Remove Visual Clutter

Eye sores like a desk overflowing with busy paperwork is the last thing you want your visitors to experience. While you're Marie-Kondoing through old tax files piled on the office chair, don't forget to designate a space for guests to unpack their clothes—this could be a set of drawers, a few hooks behind the door, or a mobile clothing rack that can be folded and stored when it's not needed.

Consider a Full Refresh

If you're up for a challenge, consider doing a full refresh by painting the guest room before your next visitor arrives. However, be careful with the colors you choose. Bright and bold colors are perfect for a statement wall but won't exactly feel like a peaceful escape. If you are renting, removable wallpaper is also a great way to add visual stimulation to a drab space without losing your deposit.

Add an Extra Touch to Your Sheets

Wendy's top tip to freshen up a guest room? "Put a few dabs of essential oil on a couple of dryer balls before you put your bed sheets in the dryer. When they come out they'll be all fluffy and smell wonderful." Wendy said she thinks fresh sheets are the most important thing to remember when someone stays with you. "It makes me so happy when guests wake up and remark on how comfortable and soft the sheets are."