With the holidays around the corner, many of us will be hosting a few (or maybe a lot) of house guests. We all want them to feel comfortable and at home, and with a few little touches, their stay will be memorable and touching. And the best part, it’s easy to do!
Fresh and Clean
It goes without saying that your guests need a clean room to sleep in, but nothing says clean like the smell of a fresh scented sheets and towels. Mix a little bit of fabric softener with water in a spray bottle and spritz your guests’ sheets and towels before they arrive. They will smell like they are fresh out of the dryer! You want it to be a nice surprise when they get into bed or out of the shower, not a smell that hits them as they walk in the door, so go easy on the fragrant fabric softener. My favorites are Seventh Generation’s Natural Fabric Softener in Blue Eucalyptus and Lavender and Method’s Lavender Lilac Dryer Activated Fabric Softener
Amenities
The little things go a long way… especially little shampoo bottles! I love to collect the mini bottles that hotels provide and store them in our guest bathroom. Whenever guests stay with us, I put out a new set so that they don’t get into the shower thinking they have shampoo only to find an empty bottle. It’s also a nice touch to give your guests a fresh bar of soap. You can also create a small collection of Q-Tips, cotton balls, toothpaste, mouthwash and hand soap next to the sink. I like to gather these from hotels and trips to the dentist!
Photo: loveitsomuch.com
Fresh Flowers
Who doesn’t love fresh flowers!!! A small bouquet of flowers by the bed is the perfect way to welcome house guests. Adding a little fragrance like lavender into the mix is even better, but make sure you don’t go overboard because just like with the fabric softener, some people may be more sensitive to smells that others. You can also add a small nosegay in the bathroom if there’s room. Flowers brighten up any room.
Photo: Brit.com
Making the Bed
The first impression is very impactful, so make sure that the first thing your guests see is a well pulled together space. Even if the room is squeaky clean, if it is missing these final touches, it won’t feel as welcoming (even if this pulled together look doesn’t last any longer than the first impression). My favorite way to create that first good impression is by creating a layered look on the bed. Have your sheet folded back just past the sleeping pillows, then fold the duvet cover about half way down the bed, and finally layer a folded blanket at the foot of the bed. This not only creates a stylish bed, but it also makes the bed look more inviting…as if they had hotel turn down service! Also, giving the guests multiple pillow options is usually a welcomed gesture. I like to have two Euro sized pillows standing up at the top of the bed, followed by two sleeping pillows, and then another sleeping pillow in front of those. I would limit throw pillows to one or two.
Photo: Apartment Therapy
A Tall Drink of Water
Everyone loves to take a glass of water with them to bed, even though we don’t always drink it. One of my favorite things to offer guests is this Cora Carafe from CB2. They can keep it by their bed and continue using it and refilling it for their whole stay.
Photo: CB2
After all this, your guests may never want to leave! See our post on how to get your house guests to leave…just kidding!
We desperately need to get our guest bedroom into shape! I love the fabric softener on the sheets idea. Another one to add (that’s a the top of my list) is a simple wall hanging to hold an extra house key and list the wifi password. It can be a simple DIY project. I want mine done with a chalk board so I can write a personal welcome message for each guest.
Great ideas! Everyone is always asking about the password and ours is long and confusing so they never get it. Definitely adding that to my guest bedroom checklist!