The winter and summer holidays are the two seasons we tend to get the most overnight visitors, with the former decidedly the busiest. Before you know it, the gang will be descending on you so take some time now to ready the guest room.
Be A Guest In Your Own Home
No, we’re not suggesting you pack any bags, just that you pad down the hallway and spend a night or two in the guest bedroom. Only by actually using the room the way your guests will can you know what needs to be changed.
Sleep in the bed (are there enough blankets? Has the mattress seen better days?), lounge in the chairs, watch TV and use the guest bathroom (and check out our bathroom tips, here). Use the lights – try to read by them.
The Bed
Depending on how busy you plan on keeping your guests during their stay, they may spend little time in the room. The bed, however, is the centerpiece, so let’s get it looking and feeling like something out of a five-star resort.
Start with the linens – crisp sheets and pillow cases, both a heavy and a light blanket and the bedspread. Throw pillows are a nice accent, but Euro pillows (26” by 26”) should serve as the backdrop for them. Alhough they can be quite pricey, you can find less expensive versions at Target and Walmart. You’ll find an example of how to use them, here.
Lighting
That overhead light, although a necessity, shouldn’t be the only source of light in the room. Consider adding a bedside reading lamp and wall sconces on either side of the bed.
Professional decorators suggest that the light sources should be in scale to the room. For example, in a large room, the overhead light fixture should be large as well.
It’s The Little Things
Don’t count on your guests remembering to bring the small essentials because they will invariably forget something. It’s why hotels supply them for their guests. Look for trial or travel-sized items at the local grocery store.
Pack a basket or bin with the following:
- Toothpaste and toothbrushes
- Hair spray
- Shampoo and conditioner
- Band-Aids
- Shower cap
- Disposable razors
- Pain medications, such as aspirin and acetaminophen
- Feminine hygiene products
- A small flashlight (for power outages)
- A notepad and pen
- And, if there will be children along, an assortment of small toys, crayons and coloring books.
Cleaning
Unlike other rooms you’ll tackle to get holiday-ready, a deep clean of the bedroom should occur a few days before guests arrive. Especially if you shampoo the carpets, the room will smell extra fresh when they arrive.
Your Home’s Particulars
Leave a note in the room in which you’ve outlined anything your guests may need to know about the home, such as the Wi-Fi password, the alarm code and details about smart home devices.
If you need inspiration on how to get your guest room ready for the holidays, you’ll find plenty online. Pinterest has lots of brilliant ideas as does Elle Décor and HGTV.
