As the long, hot days of summer come to an end and we begin looking forward to the cooler weather of fall, our thoughts begin to turn toward the holidays. Each year, it seems that the holidays come quicker and I am less prepared for them. This year, we will be playing host to several friends and family as they travel through our hometown. Beginning in October, we will have someone visiting with us for a weekend or a few nights almost every other weekend. Because I need to strike at least one item off my to-do list and I also need to have the guest room ready for our first guests, I decided to tackle that holiday chore early.
To prepare your guest room for visitors, first write down what you would love to have in a guest room if you were staying in someone’s home. Then try to accommodate those desires, if possible, within your budget. The most important qualities of a guest room are comfort and cleanliness; however, great personal touches will be much appreciated by your guests.
Checklist for preparing the perfect guestroom
1. Clear the clutter. Our guestroom becomes the collection site for everything in our home that does not have a permanent place. It also is the place where we “dump” anything that we do not want to deal with or need to hide quickly. The first step is to clear out the clutter. Think of how wonderful it is to stay in a hotel suite or vacation condo – – part of the reason it is wonderful is there is no clutter. Your guestroom is not the place to line the walls with collectibles or fill every corner with your precious stuffed animals.
2. The bed. Even if you do not have the most expensive mattress, you can make sure that your bed is comfortable and welcoming. Add a nice mattress topper, 300-count Egyptian cotton sheets and a plush comforter. Make sure you have extra pillows and blankets in the closet so guests do not need to ask or hunt for them.
3. The closet. Speaking of the closet, make sure that the guestroom closet is completely cleaned out for your guests. Have several hangers for them to use and a travel iron and iron board in case they need a quick touch up.
4. Bedside table. Every guest room needs a beside table with a reading lamp, coasters and alarm clock. Guests may not want to roam through your home at night for a drink or ask for a “wake up” call from you. These small touches will make guests feel at home and comfortable.
5. Plan for electronics. Because our society is “mobile,” you need to plan for your guests to need outlets for recharging electronics. Make sure outlets are within easy reach and not blocked. For an added touch, put a power strip in the room in case guests need more than two outlets.
6. Bathroom. If your guestroom has an attached bathroom, prepare it the same way as the room – – remove the clutter and stock it with extra towels, toilet paper, etc. Added touches such as scented hand soaps, lotion, travel size toiletries, etc. are also appreciated. If the bathroom is down the hall, make sure you put nightlights in the hall to lead the way for your guests in the middle of the night.
7. The extras. For a special guestroom, add a few special touches and extras. Try to anticipate what your guest may want in his or her room to enjoy late at night, before everyone gets up or in the middle of the day for some quiet time.
A small basket filled with water, drinks, snacks, fresh fruit and candies A lap desk for reading in bed or using a laptop in bed A few books or magazines A station guide if you have a television in the room (I always hate trying to figure out where my favorite stations are located in another city) Notepad and pen Slipper socks – – especially for hardwood floors A small desk fan
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