Downstairs rooms always take up the biggest chunk in our minds at Christmastime, but giving our guests a room to call their own shouldn’t be overlooked. Far from it. While we all love the togetherness at this time of year, it’s nice to know you’ve got a space somewhere to have a moment to yourself, to unpack and settle in, to sleep soundly and to hopefully enjoy a long lie in. From the furniture to the thoughtful touchesÌýthat shows your guests just how much you care about them,Ìýthis is how to take it from spare room to a home from home.Ìý

Start with the big stuff: furniture

A beautifully crafted bedÌýwill stand the test of time so it’s a worthy investment. The same goes for theÌýmattress,Ìýwhich will help friends and family to sleep soundly.Ìý(If you’re looking to spend a bit less, aÌýluxury mattress topper is a happy middle ground).

Just like with your bedroom, aÌýwardrobe or chest of drawersÌýand a pair ofÌýbedside tables will make your guests feel like they’re very much at home. Anything that encourages them to unpack and settle in rather than living out of their suitcase. Even if they’re only stopping for one night. And don’t forget, you can use this storage all year round for giving the clothes that are getting squashed in your own bedroom’s wardrobe a bit of breathing space.Ìý

The perfect bedspread

We love feather and down bedding because it’s a sumptuous combination that looks as lofty as it feels. There’s little better in a bedroom than walking in and seeing a bed that you just can’t wait to dive into. But, if you’ve stopped at a hotel and found the pillows cloud-like in comfort and the duvet like a marshmallow, have a peek at the label to see what they’re using and then hunt down your own.

Whatever filling you choose though, we always recommend going a size up with the duvet (so a king-size duvet on a double bed, and so on). It’ll drape better over the sides that way, and there’s less chance of fighting over the covers. And not only are super-king pillows best for these largest of beds, but they also fit perfectly on single beds too and are a more luxurious option if it’s an adult rather than a child that’ll be sleeping here.

When it comes to theÌýlinen, high thread count Egyptian cotton or pure Belgian linen feel both crisp and cool against your skin, but soft and smooth too. And be sure to include a blanket or quilt for extra warmth, as well as a couple of cushions for comfortable reading in bed.

And the perfect bedside

On each bedside table place a little basketÌýor trinket tray filled with considerate bits and bobs like an aromatherapy pillow spray (we love anything fromÌý) or a pouch of garden-grown lavender. A spare phone charger, cotton pads, and a small stash of magazines are nice to have too, especially if you pick magazines that you know they love.

A getting-ready mirror

Don’t you always find it helpful when there’s aÌýmirrorÌýin the bedroom? It saves you from having to nip to the bathroom to do your make-up or fix your hair. And if you choose a full-length mirror, it means you can make sure you’re happy with your outfit before heading downstairs.

Bits for the bathroom

A fluffy towelling robe on the back of the door is a lovely find. Not only does it means you’ve got an extra layer to hand, but it avoids the awkward sprint from bathroom to bedroom or the annoyance of carting all your clothes into the steamiest spot in the house. Go one step further by putting matching towelling slippers at the foot of the bed and a richÌýhand cream. Small things that are going to make them feel a bit pampered.Ìý

Rugs for underfoot

RugsÌýare one of those easy additions that make a bedroom feel far more homely. If you can, try putting the bed over one so that when your guests step out of bed in the morning, their feet land on something warm. Or, if you don’t think you have the space for the rug you like, remember thatÌýsheepskinsÌýare your friend too. They look just as nice on a roomy window ledge to encourage your guests to treat it as an extra seat. To find the right rug for your room, take a look at our rug buying guide to help you choose the right material and size.

A carafe to hand

Christmas is a classic time to be struck with middle of the night thirst or to wake up a little thirstier than usual. So fill a ³¦²¹°ù²¹´Ú±ðÌý´Ç°ùÌýÂá³Ü²µÌýwith fresh water, and place a fewÌýtumblers on the nightstand.

Shop the guest bedroom edit and get your spare room ready for welcoming loved ones this Christmas.Ìý

Real or life-like

The thing is, you probably already have a pretty firm opinion about this. Much like Marmite, there’s generally a clear divide between those who go for faux and those who would never be without real.

The greatest advantage of life-like trees is that they are, of course, less messy. With no dropping needles and no need to water, this is a good option if you’re not inclined to sweep up and top up every day or if you have crawling little ones to worry about. Life-like trees should be viewed as an investment though. A good one (and it is well worth getting a good one) will set you back more than a real tree, but you should have it for many, many more years. Our collection, named Whitmoor, takes after the Grandis fir, a classic full-bodied evergreen that's native to Western parts of North America and Canada. Traditional in style, each of the three available sizes have realistically textured branches and a not completely perfect shape that evokes the beauty of nature.

Those who sit in the real tree camp will tell you a large part of the appeal is the scent. There’s nothing like the fragrance of the tree � especially when you come downstairs in the morning � to remind you of childhood Christmases. Real trees also have a great deal of character, each an individual personality. And then there’s the thrill of the hunt, which can become a yearly family tradition.

Spruce, fir or pine

So you’ve decided to get a real tree. The next question is what type. In the UK, you’ll most often find Norway spruces and Nordmann firs.

The Norway spruce was the Victorian tree of choice, is especially aromatic and has upward-pointing branches. It’s also the tree that stands in Trafalgar Square each year. However, it drops its needles easily and dislikes the warm, so either buy it late or stand it outside.

The Nordmann fir is increasingly the most popular because it keeps it needles much better. Nordmann firs are fairly symmetrical, well-scented, bushy and have pleasingly plump bottoms. They also have softer needles than Norway spruces, so are more child friendly.

There are, of course, many more varieties of Christmas trees than this if you can find them. The blue spruce is beloved in Germany and has, as you’d expect, a lovely silvery blue tinge to it. The Serbian spruce often has cones hanging from its branches and, being tall and slim, is a good choice for townhouse apartments. While the Scots pine is our only native ‘Christmas� tree and has bright green needles that, even when dry, will stay on the branches.

Big or small

Before you choose a tree, have a clear picture of where you want to put it. That way, you can measure the space in advance (height and width) to make sure it’ll look right and won’t be too bulky in the room. Ideally, the top of your tree should be at least six inches below the ceiling.

But bigger isn’t always better � in a small or narrow room, a huge tree can look out of proportion, even if the ceiling is high. And don’t forget that the taller the tree, the wider it’ll be too, especially if you opt for the bottom-heavy Nordmann fir. A small tree that you then sit on top of a table might be a better choice � and, indeed, is a good option if you have a dog who’s eager to sniff out the foodie presents under its branches.

Lastly, remember to take into account the height created by the tree stand and the tree topper. There’s nothing so sad as a star on top of the tree that’s bent over by the ceiling.

Find our Whitmoor Christmas trees, lights and skirts online here.

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