The guest room is quickly going to become one of the most important rooms in the home if you’re the sociable type who always seems to be inviting people over. But what are you inviting them over for? When a guest room is done wrong, it can actually make guests feel uncomfortable and even make it hard for them to get to sleep. A little extra thought needs to go into the room, so we’re going to take a look at how you can make the most relaxing, welcoming room your guests could hope for.
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[ctt template=”4″ link=”00m7Z” via=”yes” ]When a guest room is done wrong, it can actually make guests feel uncomfortable and even make it hard for them to get to sleep. A little extra thought needs to go into the room, so we’re going to take a look at how you can make the most relaxing, welcoming room your guests could hope for.[/ctt]
The nose knows
One of the single most unwelcoming things about staying over in a guest room is when the owner hasn’t quite thought about the house smells. It can be anything, from the scent of curry wafting in from a nearby kitchen to a pet wandering through. First of all, keep your guest room off-limits to all furry friends, but most importantly, take the time to deodorize the room, too. An essential oil diffuser can do wonders for the room in a short amount of time but keeping a fragrant houseplant in there in the long-term can make sure it always smells fresh and natural.
Sleep is the goal
Regardless of whether you follow any of the other tips below, there’s no denying that sleep should come first and foremost. So, first amongst your priorities should be preparing the comfiest sleep possible. That begins with choosing the best mattress and bedding. You can learn more at bestbedsboutique.com about different kinds of mattresses, but most people tend to choose an innerspring mattress, so that might be the most widely comforting type. As for the bedding, good quality, high-thread-count linens are the way to go. Even if they haven’t been used, replace old sheets with fresh ones before they arrive. Otherwise, the covers can feel a little stiff and uncomfortable to try to sleep in.
Keep it simple, keep it welcoming
As a general rule, try not to inject too much of your own personal style into the guest room. It shouldn’t be devoid of personality, of course, a little wall art and even a personal framed photo or two can go a long way to livening up a boring room up. But don’t overload it with décor details that not everyone is going to appreciate. Don’t fall into the trap of loading the bed with cushions, first of all. While some people love the look, others hate it and it will be little more than an annoyance between them and the bed. Keep décor simple, keep it warm, and keep it welcoming. Most guests are going to be more concerned with the practical side of staying in it, anyway.
Little touches make you the hostess with the mostess
So, practically, what should you be thinking about? If there’s one thing that most people can associate with bad guest room experiences, it’s feeling like they were somehow going without. The rooms missed a few features that made the whole thing feel more unwelcome. So, a few little touches represented perfectly by this welcome basket at maddiebutterfield.com, can go a long way. They can be as simple as having an extra phone charger in the room, a card printed with the WiFi details, a kettle, even an invite down to make themselves breakfast if they wake before you. Your guest won’t want to trouble you for too much once you’re in bed, so think about what they might need and prepare it ahead of time. It will make them feel so much more at ease.
Don’t let them be bored
This point kind of fits into the last, but a nice little extra to provide them with is some entertainment. Normally, you might not want a TV in the bedroom if you’re conscious about getting your sleep, but they can be a good fit for the guest room. Or, you can choose to leave them a selection of books and magazines, instead. Even if you give them permission, many guests won’t be willing to leave the bedroom in the morning until they know you’re up. For those mornings, or if they end up staying up a little later, leaving them some entertainment can make the hours go by a little easier.
Somewhere to put that face on
The bedroom isn’t just somewhere to sleep, it’s somewhere to get ready for the day ahead, too. With that in mind, think about providing them with a place that they can take their time getting ready. Organize a dressing space for them as shown at housefull.com. A decent table is necessary, as it a chair to sit on while they apply makeup, and a mirror so they can actually see what they’re doing. The room might be private enough, but to make them feel a little more comfortable, think about adding a privacy screen so they’re not afraid of the idea of you suddenly barging in on them even if you would clearly never do such a thing.
Let’s not forget the bathroom
When it’s an en-suite or it’s just down the hall, the bathroom has to be as ready for your guests as the guest room itself. This means it needs a good deep clean, first of all, so put in that elbow grease. Some people can feel awkward about using someone else’s bathroom for the first time, so a little welcome basket in there can do a whole lot of good. Fill it with all the usual goodies, soap, body wash, shampoo, even bubble bath if you want to give them a treat. A spare toothbrush is always handy, as someone will inevitably forget theirs and feel super self-conscious about it.
Of course, alongside the guest room, you have to play the part of the welcoming host yourself, too. Remember that some people can feel a little awkward about spending the night in someone else’s home for the first time, so just play it cool, be warm, and make clear that your place is their place when they stay over.
This is a contributed post.
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