The holidays are here and your guest room is in need.  Are you ready?  In my childhood days, having an overnight guest was a very special occasion indeed. But not everyone has a room designated just for guests. With a little bit of planning and creativity, you can carve out a space for guests almost anywhere.  One of my favourite guest room spaces was created for my Old Mill client. A serene nature inspired decor with a window overlooking the Humber River offered a getaway anyone would be lucky to escape to.

Guest Room Essentials for the Holidays

cozy bedroom, breakfast tray on bed

The Room

Ideally the room you choose for your guests will have a door for privacy.  This will allow your company to have a place they can call their own.  Consider the office or bonus room, or a bedroom that is currently used by one of your children.  You can group several children into one room to free up bedrooms, and the kids will enjoy the change. Temporarily move out any items – such as your child’s stuffed animal collection – or furniture that won’t add to the comfort of your guests stay.

The Bed

A full or queen size bed is great for single guests and for couples.  If the room you are using doesn’t have a bed, consider a room with a sofa bed.  If you have enough space, prepare the bed for company and leave it throughout the visit.

The Bedding

A welcoming bed is the most important element of your guest room whether you are dressing an actual bed or an air mattress.  Use high quality sheets in 100% cotton with a high thread count.  Try to have comfy pillows available in both down and foam, to accommodate the preferences of any of your guests.  A few extra blankets available at the foot of the bed will keep you guests from having to ask, or from having to search through your closets to find them on their own.

cozy white bedroom, white bedding

Guest Room Necessities

Be sure the guest room has a wastebasket, an alarm clock, a box of tissues, and a night light. Bathroom time may be at a premium if there are a lot of people to accommodate, a mirror in the room or space where your guests are would give them more flexibility in preparing for their day. Try leaning a full length mirror up against a wall or set out a handheld mirror.

Also, keep plenty of towels and washcloths ready and waiting. Who enjoys going through closets to find an extra towel?

A goody basket of fruit, water bottles, crackers, and breath mints would be a nice added touch for the midnight snacker – or for those who just like to eat every four hours! And throw in a small bottle of aspirin or ibuprofen just in case.

If your guests aren’t familiar with the area, be sure to have some regional magazines available – even a current magazine or bestseller – really hitting home that this room is a place to relax and get away.  A television with Netflix is also a nice added bonus – this guest room get away is sounding better and better!

If the room isn’t typically used as a guestroom, add blinds for privacy or for light control for the morning hours.

bathroom countertop, glass decor, flowers

 

Guest Room Gifts

We’ve picked out a few favourites sure to make your guest feel welcome. There’s even a couple of great novels and a coffee maker. You may or may not see your guests 😉

If you were a guest at my grandparent’s Georgian home, you always received a breakfast tray. A carafe of coffee, hot and freshly brewed (the smell would arrive ahead to pique your senses and wake you up), a couple of buttered slices of freshly baked German coffee cake, some fruit, and, of course, a dewy bud from the rose garden. This lovely hosting touch is one your guests will never forget.

Though intended as a get away for your guests, once you have turned a room in your home into this luxury retreat, it may just become the ultimate get away for you!

If you are finding yourself pressed for time or just not sure where to start, give me a call – I’d be happy to help!

…Pssst! You can keep this checklist handy by saving this pin:

*** My standard disclaimer: Please note, some of these items may be offered through affiliate links which means I could get a small commission if you order. That will never influence what I find lovely and want to share with you. I always offer suggestions I would buy for my home or recommend to a client. Also, rest assured it won’t affect the price you would otherwise pay.