Is your home ready for company? It’s that time of year where we have visitors in from out of town. With a little thoughtful preparation, you can be prepared to make your guests feel at home in yours! Preparing for house guests is easier than you think.
We’ve created a a little checklist for you! Download here:
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Bedrooms are simple, really. A bed, cozy & quality bedding, lighting and few niceties are all it takes. Don’t your guests deserve the same?
Is your guest room the dumping ground? Unless you WANT your guests to feel like an afterthought, take the bags of give-away to the goodwill, move the boxes of storage to the garage, and find a new home for the yet-to-be-wrapped Christmas gifts.
Don’t know where to start? Let’s Begin
Next, give the room a thorough cleaning. Start from the top down (read: light fixtures). Wash the glass, dust the fan blades, clear the cobwebs from the corners. Launder or dry clean the drapery. What??? No drapery? Keep reading! Dust the flat surfaces & wash the bedding. The closet is quite possibly being used for overflow coat storage and old prom dresses. Clear out about a three foot wide section and add a matched set of wooden hangers. Empty closets? Show off!
Fresh sheets and fluffy towels and pillows, oh my!
It should go without saying that fresh sheets, fluffy towels and a drinking glass next to the bed are a pretty basic starting point, but it is a nice touch to have a few essentials on hand for your guests to select from. I don’t know about you, but I am forever forgetting something! By having these readily available, your guests won’t have to feel like they are imposing on you when they forget some basics. The next time you hit Target (or your favorite discount store), grab these basics, pick up a pretty little box, fill it up and set in your guest room.
How to Prepare for House Guests
- Toothbrush & Travel Toothpaste (this, at the very least!)
- Small Luxury Shampoo/Conditioner/Lotion (yes, just like that ritzy hotel!)
- Mini Mouthwash, Hair Spray, Hand Sanitizer
- A small pouch with Q-Tips & Cotton Swabs
- Breath Mints & A couple little snacks. (peanuts, special chocolate, dried fruit)
- If you think they’re so inclined, a single serve bottle of wine
- Will they be on their own with a vehicle? Include a city map, with one or two of your favorite spots highlighted.
- Digital rescue! Wifi password and extra charge cables and plug.
Check out the Design Starting Point
Invest in a luggage rack. Yes, like the ones they have at hotels. This one is from Amazon (zoom to the bottom of the page for more shopping!) and I liked it as it looked a little more special than a wooden or metal but really? Anything will work. There is a reason fine hotels use these. Who wants to stub their toes on a suitcase nightly?
Now onto the décor:
The ratty down quilt, exposed box springs and mis-matched sheet set needs to go away! Invest in a new bedding set…a bed-in-a-bag set is a nice, quick option to pull the look together quickly. Perhaps not the most creative of all décor items, but in a pinch? A great solution.
Just make sure the components are a high enough thread count to be soft and comfortable and pre-wash the sheets!!
Have a little more time and energy? Have some fun coordinating and coming with a unique and beautiful design! Getting ready for those guests takes just a little preparation.
Window Coverings – Not just for privacy anymore :).
Draperies, blinds, shades – whatever you use at the windows do a variety of things. They’ll of course keep the place private, block out early morning light. Additionally, they add a certain softness and luxury to the space. While custom drapery is beautiful and the epitome of luxury, you can get some great looks at the retail level by purchasing pre-made draperies. Here’s a link to an article with a few more details but you can also check on Amazon, Wayfair or my favorite – Half-Priced Drapes for great looking window coverings.
Remember, while your guests are there to see you, most people view any opportunity away from home as a mini vacation. Make them feel welcome!
