Grey-blue tones create a serene colour palette.

In designer and HGTV personality Sarah Richardson’s holiday house, the guest bedroom was decorated with care. Her playful approach to fabric is evident in the mix of the drapes, headboard, bedskirt and throw pillows — which are different yet cohesive.

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Create comfortable elegance with a moody palette and mirrored accessories.

A bounty of pillows and layered bedding allow guests to tailor the bed to their specific needs. Horizontal blinds are paired with dark drapes providing privacy and customized lighting. Asian sculptures, artwork and flowers prevent the room from feeling too formal and impersonal.

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Sunshine, clean white walls and exposed wood glow in this spa-like retreat.

With a staggering twelve guest suites, Joergen Bodum’s Swiss farmhouse is a breathtaking holiday home for family and friends. The guest rooms — each with their own ensuite bathroom — are minimally furnished to give visitors the impression they’re staying in a comfortable, intimate hotel.

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Set into an alcove, this daybed piled high with patterned pillows serves as both a sofa and sleeping nook.

The deep bench raises the sofa to comfortably reach the window, which is charmingly off-center. Reds and bottle greens pop against the walls, and gauzy drapes provide privacy while still allowing light to pour into the space.

Turn an oversized painting into a showstopping headboard.

A platform bed — designed by artist Bobbie Burgers' father — lends a casual vibe to this vibrant guest room. Bright yellow bedding imported from France adds a luxe feel that guests are sure to remember.

Give your guest room a quick makeover with a few small touches.

Take a headboard from tepid to toasty by tucking a soft blanket around the frame. Complement the makeover by placing a decorative runner down the center of bedside tables for added texture and pattern. Add a colourful tray to hold necessities, such as a water carafe and an alarm clock. Don’t forget to treat your guests with fresh flowers and a good book, too.

Get more decorating ideas in our Gorgeous Guest Bedrooms Photo Gallery.

A showstopping bed is the focal point in this beautiful room.

One of many guest rooms in the 2009 Princess Margaret Showhome, this cosy space was designed around House & Home’s Rustico bedding in soft tan, rust and cream. A stunning uphostered bed topped with plush linens and throw pillows makes guests feels like royalty.

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A small attic makes the perfect guest room.

Tucked into the top floor of the 2009 Princess Margaret showhome, this small room can easily accommodate a guest for a short stay. A low daybed was the right choice for this narrow space. A desk placed near the window is practical for guests who wish to unpack their luggage and can be used by family members as a home office when the room isn’t occupied.

Get more ideas in our Gorgeous Guest Bedrooms photo gallery, plus see more Double-Duty Offices.

A pale colour palette makes a basement guest room look bright and spacious.

In the 2009 Princess Margaret Showhome, the lower level was finished with style. A focal wall was covered in a textured wallpaper while the others were painted a creamy white to maximize light. A chandelier and table lamps allow guests to choose their preferred lighting.

See more Gorgeous Guest Bedrooms, plus learn more Budget Basement Decorating Tips.

Give a guest room a hotel-chic vibe with a restricted colour palette.

Plush elements like a padded headboard and stacks of pillows keep this room from feeling austere. The extra tall faux-suede headboard softens the room visually and acoustically. Simple bedside tables provide storage and a spot for illumination.

Vintage and antique items lend a lived-in feel.

The aesthetic of this bunkie guest room ties in with the main cottage so that visitors who stay here feel equally comfortable. Tongue-and-groove panelling, painted a soothing sage and a bright white, creates a cosy backdrop for an inviting mix of thrift store finds.

Get more decorating ideas in our Gorgeous Guest Bedrooms gallery. See more cottage photos in our Traditional Cottages gallery, Cottages & Country Houses, plus more cottage photos.

This upstairs sitting area doubles as a guest room.

Toronto interior designer Mazen El-Abdallah of Mazen Studio wanted to create a room that was meaningful, useful and beautiful. Wall-to-wall sisal carpet throughout the second floor is a cosy option that also dulls the sound of footsteps. A narrow daybed — a housewarming gift from friend Suzanne Dimma — is the perfect option for an overnight guest. Details such as the large mirror and credenza are practical pieces for a guest room, yet do not look out of place when the space functions as a den.

See video tours of El-Abdallah’s main floor, second floor and attic, plus more gorgeous guest bedrooms.

Double-duty furniture makes for a well-used room.

An old apothecary cabinet in designer Karen Cole’s guest bedroom opens up in several ways, including a drop-leaf desk. Antique twin beds loaded up with brightly patterned throw pillows offer an inviting spot to curl up and read, but can be made up as guest beds within minutes. Bold art and antique rugs contribute to a space that’s as cosy and useful for Karen as it is for her guests.

Watch a video tour of Karen’s house, plus see more Gorgeous Guest Rooms and Double-Duty Offices.

A nautical colour combination echoes this cottage’s seaside setting.

A classic spool bed is the perfect fit in this small space, where a caned-seat chair doubles as a bedside table. The framed illustration — a local antique market find — was an easy way for the owners to add art without expense.

Create a rustic headboard using antique doors.

Aqua and green accents, a cosy throw, delicate bedside table lamps, a pastel striped rug and pale blue hat boxes soften the rustic wood elements in this country chic bedroom. A wicker trunk placed at the foot of the bed is the perfect resting place for luggage.

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Wood wainscotting, painted a warm shade of white, adds a touch of country to this space.

A simple upholstered headboard and layers of white bedding punctuated with blue-grey pillows make for an inviting room to sleep in. Black slate tile creates an appealing and practical contrast.

Colour and pattern add a personal touch to a too-plain bedroom.

Wallpapering the ceiling is a great way to add character to a large room, and here the light ivory colour and understated gold stars keep the ceiling from looking too heavy. A block-print coverlet and paisley throw pillows are harmonious in shades of purple, but doesn’t make the room too feminine. Layering a striped cotton rug over an existing sisal rug adds even more pattern and punch to the colour scheme.

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Use functional, double-duty seating options.

Custom-made beds in this former schoolhouse-turned-cottage work as seating by day and as a sleeping area for guests at night. Simple hand-woven blankets add texture. The floors were once orange, but owner Carmen Dunjko layered on translucent white paint and then hand-brushed the boards with steel wool for a time-scarred patina. A worn desk and chair continue the schoolhouse theme.

See more Storybook Cottages and Double-Duty Offices.

Rich hues and contrasting fabric create a moody ambiance in a basement bedroom.

The lower-level bedroom of the 2010 Princess Margaret Showhome feels cosy thanks to a warm espresso colour scheme and layers of sumptuous bedding. Textured grasscloth on the walls adds dimension to the room.

See more of the 2010 Princess Margaret Showhome in our photo gallery. Also, watch Lynda Reeves tour the showhome.

Increase square footage by turning a garage into a guesthouse and studio.

In a three-week-long painting spree, the homeowner painted the entire space white (she even painted the floor) to transform this once-dingy building into a welcoming, functional space. An antique rope-bed with a tufted mattress serves as a makeshift sofa during the day. A pair of bergere-style chairs are an elegant touch.

See more photos in our White Cottages gallery, Traditional Cottages gallery, Cottages & Country Houses, plus more cottage photos.

Create an exotic escape for your guests with an Indian-themed room.

Yards of sumptuous silk, bedding and pillows were imported from India to create this alluring space. The temple-shaped tufted headboard and stenciled paisley walls were created by designer Holly Dyment. Accessories such as the silk gown, teapot and fresh roses are small touches that make guests feel welcome.

Get more decorating ideas in our Gorgeous Guest Bedrooms Photo Gallery.

Fresh blooms, books and charming collectibles create a welcoming atmosphere.

A pretty pendant light frees up table space and adds a dose of sparkle and shine to a bedroom. A mix of quilted, striped and printed bedding keeps the look fresh and casual.

Get more decorating ideas in our Gorgeous Guest Bedrooms Photo Gallery.