That extra bedroom at the end of the hall doesn't always get a lot of decor attention. It's often purely functional, with a bed, a night stand, maybe a dresser or chair. It's not the Ritz.

But it could be.

SARA HOPKINS / Special (ENLARGE)

The Azalea, which is the name for the color scheme in each of the single rooms, is designed in bolder, fresh colors including greens, peaches and yellows.

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Who knows more about putting people to bed in style than the staff at the Ritz-Carlton? For years, this posh hotel chain has specialized in luxury overnights that pamper while providing a bit of that home-away-from-home feeling.

Guests at Atlanta's two Ritz-Carltons, in Buckhead and downtown, are discovering a new level of comfort in their favorite hotels. The facilities recently underwent multi-million dollar renovations that touched just about every surface of the existing bedrooms and baths. Wallpaper was stripped, flooring replaced, new draperies added, baths updated, furniture replaced.

Taking those same guidelines, New York-based interior designer Dianna Facci offered a few tips for turning your own guest room into a space people won't want to leave. Facci's firm, BBG-BBGM, worked on the Ritz re-do and offered her techniques to try at home.

FURNITURE

At the Ritz: End tables, though made of the same light wood, aren't identical. Rectangular pieces are paired with oval shapes. The radio and alarm features a CD player and an iPod docking station. Armoires are out. Cabinets with stone tops now hold the 37-inch, high definition flat screen TVs as well as CD and DVD players. Guests also may hook their computers into the TVs, or work at the desk with built-in power and data connections.

At home: Update an old dresser with a stone top to give it a contemporary flair. Bedside tables don't need to match. In fact, opposing shapes add visual variety. Re-upholster a favorite chair with a contrasting welt or covered buttons in a different fabric. "Those sort of details make old pieces come alive," said Facci.

COLOR SCHEMES

At the Ritz: Designers worked with three color palettes — peach, cream and soft blue. The focus was always to lighten the look, said Facci. "We wanted a fresh, clean feeling," she said. "I felt that the rooms needed to be bright and light, with feeling of light coming from them." Windows were lightened by removing the heavy swags and extending the white crown molding over the tops of the glass. Dark, heavy curtains were replaced with soft patterned sheers and lighter drapes with delicate stripes and soft colors that accent the neutral beiges and creams on the walls. Color also shows up in the patterned carpets and accent pillows in rose, golds and greens.

At home: "It's important to come up with a concept," said Facci. "It could start with anything — a color, a favorite piece of artwork, a carpet. Make that your main focus, then go from there."

Soft creams and beiges are soothing on walls. For color, add lightweight draperies, pillows and throws. "We really want to get away from the browns and grays," said Facci. "Even with cream or beige, you can incorporate color with a contrasting fabric on the edge of the drapery."

LIGHTING

At the Ritz: End tables are topped by modern lamps with clear crystal bases, replacing the hotel's collection of ginger-jar designs. "We went with very sculptural lamps, so it's more like a piece of art than just a lamp base," said Facci.

At home: Replace old lamps with something eye-catching, or update a favorite with a new shade in a bright color.

ROOM ACCENTS

At the Ritz: Artworks are framed in silver, not heavy carved wood. Door hardware is brushed bronze.

At home: New doorknobs and a few pieces of art can give a lift to a dull space.

BEDDING

At the Ritz: About the only thing that remained after the makeover was the Ritz's tuxedo-striped, white luxury linens made of 400-thread Egyptian cotton. Each bed is made up with a featherbed and topped with a feather comforter in a cotton duvet. New silk-blend coverlets and dust ruffles give a dash of color.

At home: Update the linens with a new duvet or spread. Add extra pillows, including a few in contrasting colors. A featherbed gives a dash of softness to a hard mattress. And if you're really going for the Ritz style, the hotel's collection of sheets and shams is available in the gift shop or online (http://www/ritzcarlton/com/cq/). Queen sheet sets are $550.

BATHS

At the Ritz: The spacious baths were refitted with walk-in showers as well as deep soaking tubs. Most showers have benches, hand-held nozzles and rainshowers overhead. Both were surrounded with white Italian marble. New vanities have shelves for towels and accessories. Lighting is softer now that the bulb-surrounded mirrors are gone. Makeup mirrors pull out from the wall for closeups. New faucets in brushed silver match the soap dish, tissue box and lotion bottles on the counters.

At home: Freshen up with new soft nickel faucets and handles. Clear the clutter off the counter and replace it with a new soap dish, lotion bottle and tissue holder. Set out plush white bath and hand towels. Add a hand-held or overhead rain shower in the bath.

THAT RITZY TOUCH

At the Ritz: Rooms are equipped with a minibar, coffee maker and ice bucket; some have an espresso machine. Fresh flowers in glass vases appear in several spots around the room. Plush robes hang in the closet. And there's room service.

At home: Though you may not go for the espresso machine, guests may appreciate having their own coffee maker if there's a convenient corner for it. Small vases of fresh flowers on a night stand or bathroom counter add color as well as scent. Guests also may appreciate terrycloth robes; it will keep them from having to pack their own but still give them something soft to wear when they wander down to the kitchen for the help-yourself breakfast.