There is a room in our little cottage that has had the life of a chameleon. It is ever changing to suit the needs of our family. It has been a little girl's room, a boy's room and a storage area for the soon-to-be-married daughter. It has been home to a foreign exchange student and most recently the dumping ground labelled as 'moving to college'. Our son is now off to college and the room is now getting a fresh make-over as a guest room.
Allow me to share a few thoughts banging around in my head as I set up the new and improved space for guests to hang out. A few photos are included from Google and Pinterest to inspire and encourage you to pick-a-point and improve your own guest room.
Dress the Bed
I typically include three pillows per guest: One firm and one soft, for sleeping, plus another (decorative Euro pillow) for leaning against while reading. I make up the bed with the highest quality cotton or linen sheets that we can afford. The higher the thread count... the better the quality. We choose 400 count or higher. I love the feel of freshly starched and ironed sheets for luxurious crispness. Lastly, we provide a light weight and a heavy weight blanket/comforter for sleeping and a super-soft throw for napping.
More is not better... it is just 'more'. Comfort and space go hand-in-hand for well appointed guest rooms. Cluttering the room with too many unfamiliar things is not soothing nor peaceful for guests. Keep decor to a minimum rather than cramming the space with unnecessary furniture. I like to include black-out shades underneath our choice of window treatments to offer the best sleeping conditions for our honored guests.
Bedside Service
We provide a small bedside table, a reading lamp and a small vase of flowers (or a single bloom), a radio alarm clock, water bottles or carafe and tumbler for water.
Sitting Area
When space permits, I enjoy setting out a chair or two as a place to sit and dress or rest awhile. A small table, lamp, radio, CD player or ipod speaker system are thoughtful additions. It is always appreciated when we stack a few magazines, a local paper or a few books that might be of interest to our guests.
Dressers, Drawers and Closets
Adequate hanging and drawer space is a necessity. Sometimes it requires a bit of improvisation. We try to provide a dresser or bedside table with drawers. Oh yes, and make sure drawers are empty for guests' to use. To the dresser top, we add a few wrapped chocolates and a small tray or plate to use as a drop for keys and valuables.
If there is not a closet in the room, an armoire works just as well. Sometimes when space is limited we will hang a set of hooks on the wall. A clothes basket for dirty laundry with an invitation to use the washer/dryer is a homey touch.
Fans and White Noise
Many people are accustomed to white noise in the bedroom. For comfort, provide a tabletop or tower fan during warm months and an air purifier as white noise for the rest of the seasons. Fans and purifiers come in a variety of shapes, colors and sizes. Whatever you choose to purchase, be sure and keep fan blades and purifier filters clean!
Technology
Ensure there are at least two outlets visible and available for guests to plug into and recharge their computer and hand held devices. If wireless internet is available; provide the name & password.
Towels and Toiletries
Sets of guest towels are kept in the guest bedroom or bathroom. All white is hotel style and easy to clean but also just as easy to get mixed up. So we like to mix it up! A variety of colors and patterns that work well together help guests distinguish their towel from everyone else's. That comes in handy when a large family comes to stay! Again, the towels should be the newest, thickest, most luxurious, all-cotton towels that one can afford. Wash and dry them several times to remove 'ballies' of fluff that stick to beards and stubble.
It is rather fun to keep a basket or tray of 'sample' toiletries for use exclusively by guests. I am currently borrowing from the garden a pedestal style, terra cotta flower pot to hold the items. We have included sample shampoos, conditioners, unscented and fun-scented lotions, face lotion, eye make-up remover, cotton balls, Q-tips, shaving cream, disposable razors, toothpaste, toothbrushes, dental floss, combs, lint roller, shower cap, liquid and bar soaps. We want to be ready for anything because we know how easy it is to forget your toothbrush or razor at home!
Bathroom Necessities
We store a bulk of toilet paper, plus kleenex and feminine products in the guest bathroom. As a guest, it is terribly awkward be stranded and have to request more of something essential! Be sure to include a toilet plunger as well... because you just never know!
Test Run!
This is the most important step. Spend the night in your guest room. A trial run gives you first hand knowledge of what is good and what is lacking. You may find a memory foam mattress topper makes a firm bed feel more luxurious or a board to support a sagging mattress is needed. Maybe a down filled comforter or fluffier pillows are required as finishing touches. The ultimate goal is to have a space ready to rock&roll. Anticipating needs before the busy holidays arrive means I get to check it off the To-Do list. And being ready guarantees that even the unexpected guest will feel welcome.
Have fun & rock on!