10 Essentials for a Gracious Guest Room
Make overnight visitors comfortable by stocking their room with these basic items
Laura Gaskill
30 January 2019
Houzz Contributor. I cover decorating ideas, Houzz tours & the monthly home maintenance checklist. My favorite pieces to write center around the emotional aspects of home and savoring life's simple pleasures. Decluttering course + discount for Houzzers: https://www.lauragaskill.com/welcome-houzzers
Houzz Contributor. I cover decorating ideas, Houzz tours & the monthly home maintenance... More
Getting ready to host overnight guests? Let’s assume you have a bed (or air mattress) and coverings on all the windows. That’s a great start! This list will help fill in all the little things your guests will want to have on hand for a comfortable night’s sleep. What you won’t find here: season-specific decor, extra charging cords, books and other optional extras that your guests might enjoy but can live without. Instead the focus is on versatile, key pieces to get your guest space up and running so you’re ready for visitors, no matter when they arrive.
1. Water carafe
Needing a glass of water but not knowing where to get one can be frustrating and uncomfortable for guests. And after traveling by car or plane, they probably need to hydrate. Be prepared with a glass carafe filled with water, and add an extra glass if you’ll be hosting a couple.
Needing a glass of water but not knowing where to get one can be frustrating and uncomfortable for guests. And after traveling by car or plane, they probably need to hydrate. Be prepared with a glass carafe filled with water, and add an extra glass if you’ll be hosting a couple.
2. Coordinated set of bedding
Since your guest bed is probably used far less often than the master bed, there’s no need to go all-out with top-of-the-line bedding (unless you want to). But a good-quality set of percale or sateen sheets and a quilt or duvet in a coordinating hue will make your guests feel well cared for. A neutral palette, such as the shades of grey and cream shown here, will look appropriate year-round.
The great guide to buying bed sheets
Since your guest bed is probably used far less often than the master bed, there’s no need to go all-out with top-of-the-line bedding (unless you want to). But a good-quality set of percale or sateen sheets and a quilt or duvet in a coordinating hue will make your guests feel well cared for. A neutral palette, such as the shades of grey and cream shown here, will look appropriate year-round.
The great guide to buying bed sheets
3. Bedside lighting
Good lighting is key to making your guest room feel welcoming. At minimum, place a lamp on each bedside table – lamps with three settings are ideal, so guests can adjust the light levels to suit their preference.
Browse lamps on Houzz
Good lighting is key to making your guest room feel welcoming. At minimum, place a lamp on each bedside table – lamps with three settings are ideal, so guests can adjust the light levels to suit their preference.
Browse lamps on Houzz
4. Full-length mirror
Your guests will appreciate having a simple full-length mirror propped against the wall or attached to the back of the door. If the mirror is in a dark corner of the room, draping a strand of white twinkle lights on it is a quick and inexpensive way to add a warm glow.
Your guests will appreciate having a simple full-length mirror propped against the wall or attached to the back of the door. If the mirror is in a dark corner of the room, draping a strand of white twinkle lights on it is a quick and inexpensive way to add a warm glow.
5. Extra blankets and pillows
Help your guests out by providing a few extra blankets and pillows so they can get comfortable.
Help your guests out by providing a few extra blankets and pillows so they can get comfortable.
6. Wastebasket
This is a small but important detail that will help your guests keep their room neat without making frequent trips to search out garbage cans in other parts of the house. Whether you opt for brass, mirrored or woven, choose an attractive wastebasket that enhances your guest room style.
This is a small but important detail that will help your guests keep their room neat without making frequent trips to search out garbage cans in other parts of the house. Whether you opt for brass, mirrored or woven, choose an attractive wastebasket that enhances your guest room style.
7. Extra toiletries
Have a few spare sample-size toiletries in a drawer? Gather them together in a pretty bowl or basket and add a new toothbrush so guests won’t stress if they forgot something.
8. Bath towels
A stack of fluffy white bath towels on the bed is a welcoming touch. Be sure to include a wash cloth, hand towel and bath towel for each person.
Have a few spare sample-size toiletries in a drawer? Gather them together in a pretty bowl or basket and add a new toothbrush so guests won’t stress if they forgot something.
8. Bath towels
A stack of fluffy white bath towels on the bed is a welcoming touch. Be sure to include a wash cloth, hand towel and bath towel for each person.
9. Wall hooks
Unless your guests are staying for a week or more, they probably don’t need an empty dresser to unpack their clothes into. A few sturdy wall hooks will do for hanging damp towels and (with the addition of a hanger or two) wrinkle-prone outfits.
Unless your guests are staying for a week or more, they probably don’t need an empty dresser to unpack their clothes into. A few sturdy wall hooks will do for hanging damp towels and (with the addition of a hanger or two) wrinkle-prone outfits.
10. Coffee and tea makings
Considerate guests won’t want to bother you if they get up before you do. Including a little tray with everything they need to make a morning cuppa makes it clear they are welcome to help themselves.
TELL US
What do you consider essential when it comes to hosting overnight guests? Please tell us in the Comments.
Considerate guests won’t want to bother you if they get up before you do. Including a little tray with everything they need to make a morning cuppa makes it clear they are welcome to help themselves.
TELL US
What do you consider essential when it comes to hosting overnight guests? Please tell us in the Comments.
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I have started using washable pillows for my guest room. I also have several, small, washable bath mats that are folded, indicating that they are freshly washed. From experience, I have found that a tan or brown set of washcloths wrapped with a ribbon and a tag, indicating that they are for washing a lady's face. Base makeup and mascara can stain. I've had no luck bleaching these products out of my white washcloths. Apothecary jars with Q-tips, cotton balls, cotton makeup remover pads, and disposable dental floss/picks are appreciated.
If you ever have two people sharing a guest bed (whether regular or fold-out), please make sure it is at least queen size. A double/full bed with two people insures neither will sleep well.
We are fortunate to have a dedicated guest space, including a bathroom, on our lower floor. For maximum flexibility I use twin beds, which can be pushed together to create a “ short but wide” king when couples are staying. Adjustable blinds and a blackout roman shade create whatever level of light our guests prefer. The bathroom is fully stocked with towels and toiletries, and guests know that everything in there is for their exclusive use.
There is a nightlight in the bathroom and the bedroom, along with a flashlight in case of power failure. As well as a spare charging cord, it’s a good idea to provide a short extension cord. A small fan is also appreciated by many, for air flow and sometimes for the “ white noise” effect.