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

Many conversations about art seem to get tangled up with talk of ‘provenance�, ‘collections� and ‘curation�. To me, it’s much simpler. Art is whatever you want it to be. Whatever you look at and think is beautiful, arresting, intriguing or even just pretty.

Some of the things I consider as art in my own home include piles of pebbles from various beaches, a pair of Japanese matchboxes set within a deep box frame, and a tiny watercolour of a rainbow that my son did when he was about six years old. There are more conventional pieces too: a limited-edition print; a black and white etching of a seagull from a student show; and my prized possession, a laser-cut plywood relief of a portion of herringbone floor.

They’re all very different, but because I absolutely adore each one, they ‘work� together. I consider them the punctuation points of my taste. The visual pause points and full stops around my home that tell you something of my story. They’re memories in three dimensions that allow glimpses into corners of my personality.

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I think the walls in our homes are our biggest canvases on which to express ourselves. We can divide them with panelling, add depth with texture, adorn with colour, and play with pattern to create engaging planes on which to gaze. But adding art � whether pictures, prints or paintings, or curiosity shelves within an alcove to accommodate tchotchkes and sculpture � is the ultimate finishing touch. It should always be the final layer of your decorative journey; the emotional embroidery, if you will, on the characterful tapestry that is your home.

As such, let’s underline that, however you define it, art is essential. It’s a pivotal part of the interior design toolbox, as important as furniture, colour, or plants. Capable of elevating any space, whether rented or owned, from mundane to marvellous. Art is the fast-track to magical mood making � to surround yourself with the richness of creativity is to wrap yourself in wellbeing. In conclusion, I don’t have rules per se as to how and where to display what and why, only five suggestions that always work well for me.

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O N E

Hang by eye � where does a picture feel best in terms of height or relation to other things in the room? If doing a collage of pictures though, it works best to keep the gaps between each piece roughly the same.

T W O

Put art in unexpected places, like at the bottom of the stairs (or the top), in the loo, and opposite your shower. These are places to take a moment and be surprised.

T H R E E

Frames are as important as the pictures themselves. Mounts too. Take your time choosing both.

F O U R

Don’t be afraid to switch paintings around: it can give a room a whole new feel.

F I V E

Always choose with your heart. It doesn’t matter who a piece is by, or where it’s from, as long as you want to keep looking at it.

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King among kitchen tables is the Arundel refectory table. Solidly unfussy, its pure and simple lines combine form and function to create a timeless piece that can be passed down from generation to generation. With solid A-frame legs, visible dowel lock joins, optional extending leaves, the deep and chunky (45mm) tabletop, and a textured finish in solid oak, it fits seamlessly into both contemporary and traditional kitchens.

When it came to designing the Arundel, oak was always going to be the first choice of material. Our timber comes principally from the Appalachian Mountains, where trees are planted at a faster rate than they’re felled (currently at a replacement rate of 2.5 times) and the oak is prized for its durability, tactility and beauty. Oak also has a long history in British furniture making. And, the Arundel’s Natural Oak finish, which is wire-brushed to highlight the grain, adds a mellow warmth to the kitchen space.

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On a practical level, the design team were aware that kitchen tables see a lot of action and need protecting to prolong their lifetimes, but they were also keen not to lose the raw quality of the oak. Luckily, our ±õ²õ´Ç³Ò³Ü²¹°ù»å® sealant protects timber without detracting from its natural beauty. Unlike a traditional varnish or veneer, which leaves a layer sitting on top of the wood, ±õ²õ´Ç³Ò³Ü²¹°ù»å® works on a penetrative level, soaking into the wood andÌýbinding to the raw cellulose that it finds, coating it in a fine protective film, so leaving the wood surface looking and feeling naturally beautiful.Ìý

Historically, the un-hierarchical nature of the refectory table meant it was used in the dining halls of medieval monasteries where it fostered a mood of togetherness and belonging amongst the monks and their guests. And that sense of conviviality is continued today, where the informality of the tables suits busy family life and fits well into large or extended kitchens or acts as the central point in a kitchen layout where an island might otherwise sit.

Bench seating is the classic choice for a refectory table, and the Arundel solid oak bench is available as a two-, three- or four-seater, with the option of a comfy, non-slip cushion for those who prefer a softer touch. Equally, kitchen chairs work well with the Arundel, and you could consider the Wardley dining chair as a complementary piece or try combining the best of both worlds with benches running the length of the table and Wardley carver chairs at either end.

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Whatever iteration your kitchen table takes, it’s ultimately the spot where family life plays out, guests are hosted, and memories made. The table is a special piece of furniture that earns its place in our homes and hearts.

Shop Arundel Collection.