There's more to preparing a guest room than just making the bed. Welcome visitors with a practical space that's comfortable and anticipates their needs. First tip: While it's tempting to put infrequently used rooms to work as storage areas, clear away clutter and keep decor generic-but-beautiful when you're expecting guests.
In the end, there's only one way to be sure your guest room is grand: Pack an overnight bag and test it for yourself. Is the rarely used mattress comfortable? Are there enough unobstructed outlets available for chargers and laptops? Are there a couple of empty drawers? Space in the closet? Keep reading for clever tips and thoughtful, affordable upgrade ideas to help make your loved ones feel right at home this holiday season.
Sleep Tight
Guest room mattresses are either new and rarely used bargain
finds, or old and lumpy remnants from another bedroom's
upgrade. A good mattress pad is an affordable way to add comfort
and support. Take a page from the best inns and dress the bed with
two firm and two soft pillows. Have a synthetic-filled pillow on
standby for guests who may have allergies to feathers in
down-filled varieties. Also, make both light and heavy blankets
available so your overnighter can customize bedding to suit their
tastes.
Shown: Simmons BeautyRest 5-Zone BackCare Mattress
Pad; about $55
Intuitive lighting is important, especially for first-time
visitors to your abode. Include a lamp on or near the bedside
tables (for evening reading) and a nightlight (for late-night trips
to the bathroom). Guests will appreciate every available surface to
set out their things; installing a wall-mounted light will lift
your light source off the nightstand to free up space for
toiletries, medications, books, and other things they'd like to
have at hand.
Shown: Portfolio Brushed Nickel Transitional Arm
Sconce; about $40
Depending on your space, you'll want to make room for your
guests to hang coats, dresses, or other articles of clothing they
don't want to keep crammed in a suitcase. Leave a few empty
hangers—Velvet Wood Suit Hangers with Pant Clips (about $7/ pack)
from The Hanger Shop are our favorites—and a couple
of empty chest drawers. If space is limited, consider adding an
overdoor hook; it'll make use of dead space behind doors, and
may lead guests to keep wet towels off of your wood furniture and
floors.
Shown: Orbinni
Overdoor Chrome Valet Hook; about $7
For 8 more affordable and clever products, go to thisoldhouse.com
