Make Your Holiday Guests Feel Right at Home

It’s almost that wonderful time again, when our homes will be filled with loved ones visiting for the holidays. Many of us preparing for overnight guests will be struggling with how to provide the perfect haven of hotel-like comfort when we have limited guest room space. No need to panic. Just remember these basics and your guests will feel right at home:

A comfortable place to sleep is the number one priority. If you can provide a good quality mattress with a variety of pillow and blanket choices for your tired guests, you will be a champion hostess to most overnight guests.

guest-room-options

Multi-purpose furniture and a little creativity will allow you to provide more guestroom amenities in small spaces. A small table and chair against the wall near the bed with a mirror hung at the proper height becomes a nightstand, a vanity, and a desk all in one. A wall-mounted swing-arm lamp can serve as nightstand lamp, desk lamp and vanity lighting for your multi-tasking table. A chest at the end of the bed can serve as bedding storage, a place for excess pillows to be tossed at night, a place to sit, and a luggage rack.

Keep extra throws available in your living room and if you don’t have enough seating, it’s a good time to add a couple poufs or ottomans so everyone can snuggle in for a cozy visit.

Make room in your entryway for guests to offload their bulky outerwear so they don’t have to pile them up in small guest quarters. Temporarily move some of your less often used items to other corners of the house to free up space if your coat closet is packed full.

Make sure your outdoor lights are working and replace any burned out bulbs so your guests can easily find their way after dark. You might even string up some twinkle lights for illumination. Searching for the door of an unfamiliar home after dark can make even seasoned travelers feel unsafe. Provide plenty of light and you will create welcoming atmosphere right from the start.

If you cover those basics, your guests will feel relaxed and at home. For more ideas on preparing for holiday guests, check out our pinterest boards on Great Guest Room Ideas and Preparing Your Home for the Holidays. We wish you a fun-filled, family-filled Thanksgiving!

Get Ready for Summer Guests

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.

Pottery Barn

Pottery Barn

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.

Amazon

Amazon

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.

Fox Hollow Cottage

Fox Hollow Cottage

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.

Life Rearranged

Life Rearranged

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.

All Garden Ideas

All Garden Ideas

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.