Knock, Knock! How To Prepare For Houseguests

Hosting family over the holidays, dear friends coming to visit, surprise stays from relatives – having a guest-ready guest room is a must for planned and impromptu visitors. Don’t have an actual guest room in your home? Fear not, I have tips for you too! 

Before we get started, here are some stunning guest rooms to inspire you...

Original image from Decorpad.com

Original image from Legacylinens.com

Original image from Nurserynotations.com

Original image from Betweentheboxwoods.com

If You Have a Guest Room…

First and foremost, make sure your guest room features the essentials – a bed fitted with clean linens, fluffy pillows, and a warm duvet or blanket – so they will be snug as a bug in a rug! You want your guest(s) to feel at ease in your residence, so having these basic creature comforts will help them settle in. Also, don't forget to clear the dresser and closet, and fill it with hangers so they can unpack. A thoughtful touch: place a lavender sachet in the dresser or closet and your guest(s) will enjoy the relaxing aroma!

Original image from Veranda.com

Leave magazines and books (tailor the selection to your guest(s), as your big bro won't be nearly as tickled to read "Something Borrowed" or "Confessions of a Shopaholic") on the nightstand in case they’d like to do some light reading, and place the remote in the drawer if they want to watch television. This may seem small, but double check that all of the lights in the guest room work – you don’t want your guest(s) to live by the light of the moon!

To add an extra personal touch, fill the house – including the guest room – with vases of fresh flowers.
Fresh flowers, even a small bud vase filled with roses or tulips, make their room and the house smell divine, and will make your guest(s) feel truly special. Also, leave a deliciously scented candle - I love Diptyque - on their nightstand. This too will make the room smell lovely, and will be the perfect guest room accessory that friends and family will appreciate. 

Stock your guest bathroom with plenty of clean towels, soaps, bubble bath, shampoo and conditioner, disposable razors, shaving cream, toothbrushes, toothpaste, cotton balls, and q-tips. I also like to leave some nice lotion in the drawer, as well as a hair dryer and brush. Sounds like the Four Seasons, right? Make sure guests have easy access to the iron and steamer in case they need to refresh any clothes after their day of travel. Also, let them know where you keep the medicine cabinet, should they develop an ailment. 

Finally, equip your kitchen with the basics: bottled water, juice, milk, fruit, bread, cheese, crackers, and any snacks or drinks that you know they fancy.

If You Don’t Have a Guest Room…

Since you don’t have an actual guest room, kindly provide your guest(s) with the options of staying at a hotel or your home, and let them know the choice is theirs – some people even if you have a guest room prefer to have their own space. If they opt to stay in a hotel, graciously offer a selection of nearby properties that they can choose from. If they‘d like to stay with you, follow these tips:

Your sofa doubles wonderfully as bed, so once the sun sets and your guest(s) need their beauty rest, place a mattress pad on top of the sofa cushions, followed by clean linens, fluffy pillows, and a warm duvet or blanket. 

Just as listed above, lay appropriate magazines and books on the end table or coffee table, and leave the remote out if they want to watch television.

If you only have one bathroom, ensure that it’s sparkling clean and well-stocked with the following supplies: clean towels, bubble bath, soaps, shampoo and conditioner, disposable razors, shaving cream, toothbrushes, toothpaste, cotton balls, q-tips, hand lotion, hair dryer and a brush.

Follow the above tips on giving guests access to the iron and steamer, as well as the medicine cabinet. 

Fresh flowers, scented candles, and plenty of savory snacks and libations still apply, so don’t forget to practice your floral arranging skills and stop by the market before your guests arrive!

Good luck guest-proofing your homes, and with fabulous guest-friendly accommodations like these, people will be knock-knocking at your door!