Ask Veronica: What can I do to make the guest bedroom in my home more pleasant and comfortable?

Sometimes, the guest bedroom is relegated to after-thought status. “To me, a guest bedroom should be a haven in your home,” says interior designer Meghan Heeter of Castle Design. Think of it as a place where you can stretch your artistic flair. “Remember that wallpaper you absolutely loved but ultimately decided was too busy to live with every day? Try it in the guest bedroom,” she says. At Four Seasons Hotel St. Louis, treating others as one wishes to be treated is woven into all aspects of the company’s culture. “It guides all of our interactions with our guests and the entire team is encouraged to serve with a genuine heart,” says General Manager Alper Oztok. “That means guests experience intuitive, unscripted acts of love and kindness, whether it’s hunting down a favorite food or creating a special moment.” That same spirit of generosity can be brought into the home by making guests feel welcomed and appreciated. Before their arrival, ask about their favorite foods and make them readily available. Are they celebrating a special occasion during their stay with you? If so, acknowledge it with flowers or another personal touch. Light sleepers will appreciate having a noise machine, eye shades, or a pillow mist in the room, says Oztok. “Recently, one of our young guests fell and her mom requested ice. When room service delivered the ice, they brought along cookies from the pastry team in the shape of a Band-Aid. That small act of love will be remembered,” he says. While the majority of us can’t summon a private chef to whip up gourmet treats, we can all think about how a house guest will experience their stay in our home. “I like to imagine how my guests will use the space,” says Heeter. “I incorporate good lighting for late night reading and blackout shades for sleeping in. From a practicality perspective, make sure your guest bedroom is stocked with all the comforts of home—extra towels, a water glass, and a charging station—so that your guests don’t have to ask you for anything.”