When designing the small guest bedroom in our Palm Springs vacation home, I wanted to be bold—bringing rich colors, layered patterns and textured materials together so the compact space would feel warm, comfortable and inviting.
I began with a vivid pink chinoiserie wallpaper and built the palette around it, then chose luxe bedding from Tuft & Needle to anchor the scheme.
With the holidays approaching, we’re excited to host family and friends here and to offer them a truly cozy place to rest.
I pulled deep ochre and green tones into the bedding, added rust-colored velvet curtains and used cream accents in the rug and sheets to balance the dramatic pink wallpaper.
The centerpiece of the room is our favorite Mint Mattress from Tuft & Needle—comfortable, supportive and perfect for guests. Here’s how the design came together.
Before & After
Below you can see the transformation of this small bedroom from its original state to the finished scheme.
First, the before…
And the after:
A dramatic change—let’s walk through the steps and decisions that made it happen.
Choosing Colors From the Chinoiserie Wallpaper
When I decorate a room I like to start with a single strong element to pull colors from. The pink chinoiserie wallpaper served as my anchor. Its mural-like pattern includes lemon yellows and golds, warm browns, leafy greens, rust tones and small blue accents in the birds and details.
From that palette I selected the main textiles, finishes and accents. First and most important: the bed.
Tuft & Needle Mattress Review
After extensive research, we chose a Tuft & Needle Original Mattress for our son’s big kid room because it’s Greenguard certified and affordable—and we loved it. For this guest room we partnered with Tuft & Needle to try their Mint Mattress, and it did not disappoint.
Key features of the Mint Mattress include a removable, washable zip-off cover, T&N adaptive foam that contours to the body, and a ceramic cooling gel layer to help regulate temperature.
We appreciate the Mint Mattress for its comfort, easy delivery and setup, and the way the foam limits motion transfer so partners are less disturbed at night.
Cozy Sheets & Bedding
We also tried Tuft & Needle’s bedding in colors that complement the wallpaper and room finishes.
On top of the bed we used the Hemp duvet cover in a Honeycomb golden yellow. Hemp is lightweight, biodegradable and has a linen-like texture that looks lived-in and elegant.
To add a green option and layering, we included the reversible quilt in Oxford Moss, which provides an alternate look and extra warmth. The quilt’s reverse has a subtle stripe that reads classic and calm.
For sheets we chose 100% organic cotton jersey in an Oatmeal shade. These sheets are incredibly soft, low-maintenance and resist wrinkling—ideal for a guest room you want to make up quickly and keep looking tidy.
Wood and Brass Accents
Because the textiles are bold, I balanced the room with rich wood tones and warm brass accents. These materials add a grounded, timeless feel without competing with the wallpaper.
I found narrow vintage French wood nightstands to fit the scale and topped them with brass lamps. For extra personality and functionality in the small footprint, I used a 1920s wood chair and a matching stool sourced from flea markets to create a small vignette.
Simple accessories—stacks of books and a vase of dried branches—add visual interest without the upkeep required by live plants, which makes them perfect for guest spaces.
Rattan Closet Doors
Originally the room had mirrored closet doors. To introduce texture and warmth, I replaced them with stained walnut bifold doors and applied abaca cloth panels over the mirrors. The rattan-like surface complements the wallpaper and adds depth to the wall plane.
Source List
Below is a compiled source list for the major pieces and finishes used in the room.
Bed & Bedding
Mattress: Tuft & Needle Mint Mattress
Bedding: Tuft & Needle Hemp duvet in Honeycomb, Reversible quilt in Oxford Moss
Sheets: 100% organic cotton jersey in Oatmeal
Headboard: Secondhand
Throw pillow: vintage flea market find
Surfaces & Textiles
Wallpaper: Pink chinoiserie mural
Bifold doors: stained dark walnut with abaca cloth panels layered over the mirrors
Rug: low-pile neutral rug
Curtains: rust velvet
Furniture & Decor
Nightstands, chair & stool: vintage finds
Lamps: brass table lamps
Small accessories and decor: a mix of vintage and secondhand pieces
I’m thrilled with how this bedroom turned out. It reads bold in photos but feels comforting and restful in person—thanks in large part to a comfortable mattress and thoughtful layering. If you’re outfitting a guest room, consider a strong wallpaper as your starting point, then build in versatile bedding, warm woods and low-maintenance accents to create a welcoming space.
This post was created in partnership with Tuft & Needle. All content and opinions are my own. Thank you for supporting the sponsors that keep Studio DIY going.