It's Time for a Guest Bedroom Refresh!

Whether you are preparing your guest bedroom for a special visitor or giving the extra space a much-needed decorating refresh,  Mattress Firm is here to make sure you don't go over budget while still making the best of your guest's space! Here are some questions to keep in mind, as well as some cheap guest bed ideas, to get you started when rejuvenating the guest bedroom in your home.

What to Consider When Buying a Guest Mattress

We talked to Michelle Stokely, Mattress Firm's national retail manager, to get an idea of how people shop for guest bedroom mattresses and what they ought to consider. “Honestly, this is my favorite time of year to be a sleep consultant," she said. “Most people know what they want in a bed but have no idea what someone else might want. It's like buying shoes for someone else."

So, how can you take some of the guesswork out of this purchase? Michelle says it is important to ask yourself the following questions in order to be confident with your decision.

1. Who will use this mattress? Keep in mind who will be using this mattress. Is it a mix of several different relatives or friends, or will it be the same person most of the time?
2. How long will your guest use this mattress? Consider the length of your guests' trips. Some guests, like parents who are retired and come to town to visit grandchildren, might stay for a week or more several times per season. People in other stages of life might find that their guests are usually only in town for a long weekend once or twice a year.
3. How else is your guest bedroom used? Think hard about how else your guest bedroom is used throughout the year. Do you or your spouse use it when you're sick or snoring? Do your children use the room for sleepovers or science fair projects? It might be worth investing in a higher quality mattress if it's regularly being used by other members of the household.
4. How large is your guest bedroom? What guest room bed size you choose will depend a lot on the size of the bedroom itself and what else you use the room for when visitors are not in town. If the room is smaller, a full-size guest bed might have to suffice, even if it's a bit less roomy then some couples are used to. If the room is large enough and you expect your guests to stay longer than a 3-day-weekend, it might make sense to select a king or queen-sized bed.
5. How old is your current guest mattress? It's important to replace a mattress every 8 years, even for guest mattresses. While a guest room bed may not be used as often, it still encounters wear that will lessen a guest's experience if not cared for properly. “Fabrics and textiles have a lifespan," says Michelle. “Be mindful of how your guest mattress is aging – you own the bed even if you don't sleep on it regularly. Check it out!"

Different Guests, Different Needs

Although it might be tempting to find a “temporary" solution or to move an older, used mattress into the guest room after upgrading someone else's bed, you owe it to your guests and yourself (assuming you also occasionally use this bed) to put as much effort into selecting a quality guest mattress as you did for your own bed.  Mattress Firm knows you don't want a dirty, lumpy or uncomfortable mattress contributing to a poor quality, even painful, night of sleep for your guests.

Michelle suggests using Mattress Firm's  “comfort by color" system to try out different kinds of beds. Even though you won't be the primary sleeper on the bed, you can still make a good choice by buying a bed that is comfortable for you.

Older Guests

If you're expecting guests who are older, Michelle says it's important to keep two bed features in mind:  height and  edge support. Elderly people may have a harder time getting in and out of a bed, so you want to avoid the potential for a dangerous fall by ensuring the bed you choose isn't too high off of the ground. Also, elderly people tend to sit on the edge of their beds more — especially in a guest room that might not have a chair – to read or put their shoes on. Mattress Firm recommends checking out ratings and reviews to find the best fit for your guests.

“Elderly people tend to prefer a firmer bed," says Michelle. “If you're going to have a mix of older and younger guests, you could choose to buy a firmer mattress and also a soft mattress topper to put on before the younger guests arrive."

Younger Guests

If you're expecting younger children who may be potty training, you don't necessarily have to invest in a toddler-sized bed. Michelle suggests investing in an add-on product like a mattress protector to easily prepare your normal guest room for smaller visitors.

While a guest bedroom may not be your primary room of use, creating a space where your guests will be comfortable and happy is a great way to show them just how much you care. And when decorating on a budget, you do not need to sacrifice quality in your spare room. Check out one of your local  Mattress Firm locations today to see how you can give your guest bedroom a much-needed refresh without going over budget!