9 Simple Steps to Creating a Home That’s Always Ready for Guests
From stocking up on toiletries to buying fresh flowers, make sure your home is always prepped for last-minute visitors
Sally Smith
14 December 2016
A few simple adjustments to your décor can ensure your home is always ready to welcome friends and family who drop in or stay over at short notice. Check out these ideas to create a guest-ready home.
Be clever with space
Not many of us are lucky enough to have a guest room, or, if we do, it’s often used as a study. Think laterally and look around your home for potential spots that would fit an extra bed. Sofa beds are the obvious solution, or trundle beds tucked away beneath existing ones.
The owners of this study have cleverly hidden a double guest bed in this made-to-measure cupboard.
Not many of us are lucky enough to have a guest room, or, if we do, it’s often used as a study. Think laterally and look around your home for potential spots that would fit an extra bed. Sofa beds are the obvious solution, or trundle beds tucked away beneath existing ones.
The owners of this study have cleverly hidden a double guest bed in this made-to-measure cupboard.
Eliminate bad odours
Make sure your home always smells fresh enough for potential guests. It’s best to focus first on any bad smells, so check that all rooms are well ventilated and there are no sources of damp around.
Freshen up musty-smelling carpets or rugs by using bicarbonate of soda. Sprinkle it over a pre-vacuumed carpet, leave it for several hours, then vacuum again.
To get rid of lingering food smells in the microwave, pop in a chopped-up lemon and zap for a few seconds. Finally, invest in a couple of reed diffusers for the living room and kitchen to add an exotic scent to the air.
Discover how to make your home smell amazing
Make sure your home always smells fresh enough for potential guests. It’s best to focus first on any bad smells, so check that all rooms are well ventilated and there are no sources of damp around.
Freshen up musty-smelling carpets or rugs by using bicarbonate of soda. Sprinkle it over a pre-vacuumed carpet, leave it for several hours, then vacuum again.
To get rid of lingering food smells in the microwave, pop in a chopped-up lemon and zap for a few seconds. Finally, invest in a couple of reed diffusers for the living room and kitchen to add an exotic scent to the air.
Discover how to make your home smell amazing
Don’t forget hooks
It’s not always possible to clear out wardrobes in order to make some extra hanging space, so think about alternatives instead. Hang stylish hooks around the house, particularly in guest bedrooms and bathrooms. The pretty hanging rail in this country cottage bedroom provides enough storage for a few outfits.
Find more country-style guest bedrooms on Houzz
It’s not always possible to clear out wardrobes in order to make some extra hanging space, so think about alternatives instead. Hang stylish hooks around the house, particularly in guest bedrooms and bathrooms. The pretty hanging rail in this country cottage bedroom provides enough storage for a few outfits.
Find more country-style guest bedrooms on Houzz
Declutter work surfaces
When there are extra bodies in the home, things can get pretty untidy. A helpful strategy is to provide areas where your guests can offload their things. Keep surfaces as clear as possible, especially those spots that are a magnet for mess, such as the kitchen island and hallway console.
If you keep your home clutter-free and organised all year round, you’ll be able to provide guests with somewhere to put their belongings and a calm space in which to unwind. The island in this kitchen looks like the perfect place to sit and relax.
When there are extra bodies in the home, things can get pretty untidy. A helpful strategy is to provide areas where your guests can offload their things. Keep surfaces as clear as possible, especially those spots that are a magnet for mess, such as the kitchen island and hallway console.
If you keep your home clutter-free and organised all year round, you’ll be able to provide guests with somewhere to put their belongings and a calm space in which to unwind. The island in this kitchen looks like the perfect place to sit and relax.
Ramp up your hallway
Don’t forget about the hall – it can easily become a dumping ground for boots, shoes and bags. Try to be clever with your storage and make the most of every inch. Even in this small space, the owners have incorporated a multi-functional seat that makes a handy place to stash hallway clutter. Use attractive baskets and boxes to store scarves and hats in the winter.
Don’t forget about the hall – it can easily become a dumping ground for boots, shoes and bags. Try to be clever with your storage and make the most of every inch. Even in this small space, the owners have incorporated a multi-functional seat that makes a handy place to stash hallway clutter. Use attractive baskets and boxes to store scarves and hats in the winter.
Add some bathroom luxury
Make sure your bathroom is always guest-ready by stowing away a few spare accessories and towels. Keep the colour scheme simple, so it’s easy to buy extras to match. Have a few nice toiletries at the back of the bathroom cupboard to pull out when visitors arrive.
This white bathroom has been cleared of clutter to give a relaxing feel, and the fresh towels and toiletries complete the look.
Make sure your bathroom is always guest-ready by stowing away a few spare accessories and towels. Keep the colour scheme simple, so it’s easy to buy extras to match. Have a few nice toiletries at the back of the bathroom cupboard to pull out when visitors arrive.
This white bathroom has been cleared of clutter to give a relaxing feel, and the fresh towels and toiletries complete the look.
Boost your tableware
Make sure you always have enough tableware for guests by stocking up on a few extra glasses and items of crockery. If you’re concerned about lack of cupboard space, put them on display instead. This will turn your collection into a stylish feature and give you a chance to enjoy them all year round.
Make sure you always have enough tableware for guests by stocking up on a few extra glasses and items of crockery. If you’re concerned about lack of cupboard space, put them on display instead. This will turn your collection into a stylish feature and give you a chance to enjoy them all year round.
Plump for neutral bedding
Cater for all tastes by keeping bedding simple and neutral. The white sheets here look stylish and provide a blank canvas for adding different shades of cushions and throws.
Cater for all tastes by keeping bedding simple and neutral. The white sheets here look stylish and provide a blank canvas for adding different shades of cushions and throws.
Give a quick fix with flowers
If you’ve been caught on the hop by last-minute guests, an instant way to refresh your home is to buy some cut flowers. A colourful bunch of tulips makes this simple dining area a more inviting space.
How do you prepare your home for guests? Share your ideas in the Comments below.
If you’ve been caught on the hop by last-minute guests, an instant way to refresh your home is to buy some cut flowers. A colourful bunch of tulips makes this simple dining area a more inviting space.
How do you prepare your home for guests? Share your ideas in the Comments below.
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I seem to have regular guests staying over; fortunately we tend to be quite tidy. I have sets of 'guest bedding' which I always iron & then fold the sheet, pillow cases etc into the folded duvet cover so that it is ready for unexpected guests. This saves rummaging around looking for the matching linen. I also have guest towels that are a different colour to our normal ones which makes it easier to keep them separate. A cosy fleece is also useful in case guests feel cold. I like to put an extension in to the guest room because most people now have several things which need charging, I also make sure the lamp is close by because there is nothing worse than stumbling about in the dark. A spare toothbrushes in the bathroom helps for those who forget theirs, along with a selection of earbuds, mini toiletries etc help too.
However, guests should also remember that they are staying in a home not a hotel so they should not expect to be waited on or entertained constantly.
Gee, some of you really do like pampering guests. I offer them food and a bed.. i don't mind sudden stopovers.