HOW TO: STYLE YOUR GUEST ROOM

Hosting your friends and family can be stressful! The pressure to provide a relaxing space while also anticipating your guests needs and preferences can be overwhelming. Plus, you want to create a stylish and comfortable space to impress your visitors but also make them feel at home.

I think we all know the basics but below are some of my favorite tips to help make your guest room, well guest ready!

TIP #1 SPEND THE NIGHT

If you haven’t done this already, the absolute best way to know if your space is guest ready is to stay in the room yourself. We had to do this while our master shower was being repaired but it gave me great insight. This will help you to quickly eliminate any issues like temperature control (do you need an extra blanket on the bed?) or poor lighting (is a light bulb out in the bedside lamp?) as well as help you realize what may be lacking in the space (like where do I plug in my phone charger?). You know, the important stuff.

TIP #2 TAKE A LOAD OFF

Upon arrival, your guests may want to immediately unpack and unwind! You want to be sure to have plenty of space for them to put their things (even if your guest room-like mine-is used for storage day to day). Set up a folding luggage rack so they can properly open their suitcase. But not on the bed-because let’s take a minute and think about where that suitcase has been during your guests travels (plane, train, taxi, etc.)! Eww. Right?!? That luggage rack will keep it off of your nice and clean bedding! Also be sure to have plenty of empty hangers in the closet and a drawer or two in the dresser so their clothes don’t get wrinkled. And I like to go a step further by adding hooks on the back of the door for your guest’s bags.

TIP #3 MAKE IT PERSONAL

The best guest rooms are comfortable and feel like home. I like to think about the entire experience from the guest’s perspective, so I swap out a few personal photos based on the who is staying there. For instance, if my brother is coming to visit I’ll add a few photos of him and I when we were kids or of my nephews (his children). I think it immediately makes him feel welcome and relaxed in our home.

#4 STOCK UP ON SUPPLIES

Whether its linens or bath towels, always give your guests more than what they will need. This might seem obvious but I included this on my list because I have stayed places where it has been an issue! I provide a welcome basket that is fully stocked with new, travel sized toiletry basics like toothpaste, body wash, and shampoos as well as other potentially necessary items like nail clippers, a sewing kit, and Tylenol. Let’s get real folks, it can be super awkward asking for more toilet paper or a plunger in the middle of the night! Oof. But if there is a stocked linen closet then your guests will not feel like they are imposing.

#5 CRACK THE CODES

You know when you stay in a hotel and they give you a print out of all the codes, rules, checkout times and various amenities? Well I like to do the same thing for my guests! Well, not the check out time but that isn’t a bad idea! haha In the nightstand drawer next to the TV remote and universal phone charger and extra phone cords (more things to note!), is a laminated printout. On this printout are the steps for the TV remote and channel guides. It also includes wifi instructions, house alarm code and our cell phone numbers (JIC!).

BONUS: Leave a copy of your house key next to some fresh flowers with a handwritten welcome note so your guests feel comfortable coming and going as they please.

HOW TO: STYLE YOUR GUEST ROOM

SHOP SIDNEY’S STYLE