One of the best parts of the upcoming holidays is having friends and family gather from around the country to visit. I love knowing that I’ll be spending time with family and close friends between Thanksgiving and New Year’s. Just thinking about it makes me want those holidays to hurry up and get here already!

This is also the time when I start to think about how ready my guest rooms are for visitors. This year I have brand new spaces for my guests, but there are always a few touches to add that will make your guests feel extra special. Let’s take a look!

1. Flowers

One of the “musts” when preparing for guests is have fresh cut flowers in the guest room and guest bath. Just casual bouquets, nothing too fancy, to bring life and cheer to the room. Guest rooms are often used so infrequently they can have an “aura” of a forgotten room. Live, blooming flowers clear that lonely aura right up!

2. Candles

Also, always incorporate scented candles in the guest room and bath as well (if you look carefully, you can spot the candle in this bright and cheery guest room on the dresser). Everyone loves the relaxation and lovely glow of a scented candle. And if your guest remarks on how pretty the scent is, well, then you have the perfect hostess gift to take the next time you see them!

3. A Welcoming Bed

Too often, the guest rooms get the leftovers - an older mattress, the pillows you don’t want anymore, and those threadbare sheets. But this room needs to have a welcoming and comfortable bed, too! I am a firm believer in a soft pillow, so I also like to make sure my guest bed is slightly overdressed with pillows. Some people like to sleep with a lot of pillows, and some people just need one, but I like my guests to have options. Same with blankets and throws - better to have too many, than not enough!

4. Fabulous Towels

You know how when you are at a hotel, you always use more towels than when at home? Like it or not, your guest room is their hotel room while they visit, so don’t skimp - be sure there are extra towels in the bath. And make them the fluffiest and most luxe towels you can. Your guests will appreciate this touch, I promise.

5. Thougtful Extras

The guest bunk above is at a coastal retreat, so it has to be sophisticated enough for adults to use, as well as kids. And here are where the extras come in - notice the comfy chair next to the bunks. The fact is, adults need a chair or ottoman in their room. Somewhere to sit while putting on shoes, or somewhere to lay out an outfit for dinner. And don’t think I’m crazy here, but go to Horchow, or Frontgate and buy a folding luggage rack for your guest room closet. Grown adults shouldn’t have to dig through a bag on the floor. A rack for a suitcase will make your guests love you forever. Really, they will.

My last “extra” tip is for all guests, but especially guests who are coming from a different time zone, and might not be on the same schedule as you. I like to leave a bowl of fruit and and some protein bars in the guest room. It saves a guest from having to fumble around in the dark in your kitchen if they wake hungry at 3 am, something no one but your closest family would feel comfortable with, so it’s a nice touch.

Warmly,

Beth

PS - One more note! Leave your WiFi password on a card on the nightstand. In 2019, we all need to check our phones, tablets, and laptops before bed. It’s just modern living!