If you are fortunate enough to have a spare room in your home that may be turned into a guest bedroom then you'll have to think about how to decorate and furnish it. Although it is in your home, the picked d?cor and design should be appropriate for other people, particularly if a variety of visitors - with a large array of age, gender, personality and taste - are likely to stay there.

So what should be considered when furnishing a guest bedroom?

Decorating - General and simple is the way to go

As the guest bedroom may have to suit out-of-town friends, family and other guests, it is best to remember to keep the d?cor simple and general - i.e. suitable for everybody. Neutral colours including white and creams make sense, as a lilac bedroom might put off your more manly visitors. In addition to the ceiling, walls and carpet, make sure that the guest bedroom furniture goes with the neutral colours as well.

The bed - Get a double (if space allows)

When choosing the bed, go for a double if the bedroom is large enough. A single bed might possibly limit couples from being guests, whilst bunk beds should be avoided as a result of their association with kids' bedrooms. If there's even more space available, consider a king-size or queen-size double bed, to make your guests feel additionally welcome and comfortable. Do not purchase a cheap mattress or bedding: remember that you would not like it if you were a guest somewhere else and staying in their guest bedroom. Also, as visitors' preferences on pillows might vary, provide people with the choice of 1 or 2 pillows, plus different types (such as orthopaedic, memory foam, etc.), if you happen to know people's preferences and have the space available to store them.

Bedside tables - A must!

While your visitors are in bed, bedside tables are useful, so they're a nice touch in a guest bedroom. They will permit the guest to have everything they require at arm's length, whether it is access to a book, an alarm clock, a drink or a lamp. The alternative is not great: either guests have to leave those types of things on the floor, or have to walk across the room to get them.

Wardrobes - Ensure that there's space for guests' clothes

Arguably the most essential part of guest bedroom furniture are the wardrobes. Some visitors may prefer to keep all of their things inside their suitcases, but for those staying for quite some time it is handy to hang stuff away. As enticing as it may be for the hard-core shopper and fashion addict, try to avoid using the guest bedroom's wardrobes as secondary storage for your own clothes, but if you need to, make sure there's room for your guests to store their garments too.

Chairs and a table - A nice touch for the early bird

Another nice thing to have included in the guest bedroom furniture is a chair and table set. For the guest who likes to wake up early, but who also does not wish to risk disturbing other people by exiting the room, they have a place out of their bed where they can relax and allow them to get ready and prepared for the day ahead.

Curtains - Consider privacy and light

When purchasing curtains for the guest bedroom, the two most important things to consider are light and privacy. If it is a bedroom that gets the sun hitting it early in the day then try to get thick curtains, as there is nothing worse than being woken up really early or finding it difficult to get to bed late at night during the summer thanks to the natural light creeping in. Consider people's privacy too - try to steer clear of getting anything that's so thin that it is virtually see-through; otherwise those visiting might feel too uncomfortable getting changed in there.