By Ellen Gefen
Family and friends are what the holidays are all about. As the holiday season approaches, you might be preparing for an influx of visiting family members and out of town guests. Although you may have thought of all the trimmings when it comes to your guests’ favorite foods, you might not have given much thought to their actual accommodations. That’s where thinking about your guest room becomes an important part of the holiday planning.
Sometimes, the guest room becomes an afterthought. Which makes sense, since other areas of the house, such as the kitchen and the family room, tend to take center stage. Giving your loved ones a warm and welcoming place to stay will make for even greater memories. So spruce up your space with these guest room makeover ideas that won’t break the bank.
1. Be Mindful
Your guests will need a place to plug in. Make sure that there’s a power outlet where your guest can charge their electronic devices. It’s always nice to leave an extra charger in case your guests left theirs behind, as well. Offer a nightlight so that guests who need to get up in the middle of the night can move around without tripping. Also, an alarm clock can be an added touch if your guest needs to get up early.
2. Invest in Sleep
If you had to sleep on your guest bed’s mattress, would you be comfortable after a night or two? If you don’t have the budget for a higher end mattress, invest in a quality mattress topper. These can be purchased at most department stores, and can make a world of difference in the quality of sleep your guests get each night. Make the bed more inviting by dressing it with a higher thread count sheet set and plush, fluffy bedding and pillows.
3. Boost The Bathroom
Make your bathroom go beyond a toilet, sink, and tub by outfitting it with everything that your guest might need. Start by putting a new toothbrush and toothpaste in your guest bathroom, as well as added perks like air freshener, a spare comb or brush, and of course, extra plush towels and wash cloths. Don’t forget to ask your guests what their favorite shampoos or soaps are, and stock accordingly!
4. Offer Entertainment
Some people like to watch a little TV to unwind before bedtime. Be sure to provide a television in your guest room, if possible. Don’t forget to leave the WIFI password in their room, as well. If your guest likes a little light reading before bed, be sure to provide a reading light. Buy a few used copies of your favorite books as well, so if your guests get hooked while reading, you can easily part with them.
5. Eliminate Annoyances
Go through your guest room and find things that could possibly prevent your guest from feeling comfortable. For example, take out that ticking clock and replace it with a digital one instead. Oil any squeaky door hinges, and fix the dripping faucet in the guest’s bathroom. Make sure you have drapes or blinds over the windows both for privacy and to prevent that early morning light from filtering in on your sleeping guests
6. Make Space
Of course, you don’t want your guest to be living out of their suitcase. Be sure to have plenty of empty hangers in the closet, so that they can hang up their clothes. You might even want to offer an empty drawer or two in a chest of drawers for smaller items.
Your guest room should be comfortable, accommodating, and offer entertainment for friends and family while they stay in your home. Follow these tips, and your guests will never want to leave—which may or may not be a good thing!
Do you have some tips for guest rooms? If so, share your insight with us!
