Summer is finally here! Time for graduations, weddings and vacations. That means it’s also time to get ready for out of town guests. Here are some easy tips to help you prepare your home for relaxing, comfortable visits.
Entryway
Clear out the entryway to make room for luggage, extra shoes and jackets. Provide small baskets or trays for guests to hold keys and other loose items. Be sure to have some empty hangers for guest use in the hall closet. Check to make sure the light bulbs are working on the porch and entryway so guests can navigate unfamiliar surroundings in the dark.
Kitchen/Pantry
Clear out some shelf space in the refrigerator for your guests to use if they choose. Stock the pantry with a variety of quick snacks like crackers, nuts, sweets, and chips. Do you have plenty of bottled water, soda, wine and beer? Drinks can vanish quickly in the heat of summer. Have a variety of sweeteners, teas and coffees available too.
Guest Room
Whether you have a dedicated bedroom for guests or an air mattress in the den, some simple amenities can make the accommodations feel more luxurious. Use good quality, all cotton bed linens and add a light spritz of lavender to the sheets when you make the bed. Provide a few current books and magazines and a good reading light for downtime. A luggage rack or bench will make it more comfortable for guests to access suitcases while saving the bed some wear-and-tear.
Bathroom
Be ready for lots of bathroom traffic (and extra laundry!) with plenty of towels on hand. Color-coded towels can help guests keep track of which towel they used. Make sure you have some basic pain relievers and first aid items on hand. Providing a basket of mini toiletries and personal hygiene items can be a big help in case your guests forget to pack something.
Outdoors
One way to keep from trampling over one another in a crowded house is to make the outdoors inviting. Make sure you have the walkways free of slippery mildew and any steps well lit. Solar lights are a quick, inexpensive solution to keep guests safe on walkways at night. To keep down on in-and-out traffic, keep a cooler full of cold beverages outside. Comfortable cushions, citronella candles to keep the bugs at bay, and an umbrella for shade can help keep everyone happy outdoors. If you don’t have a beautiful garden, don’t worry. A few planters full of blooming flowers from your local garden center will add just the right touch.
Now it’s time to kick back and have fun with your friends and family! For more pictures of inviting entryways, welcoming guest rooms, and more, see our pinterest board.
