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November 15, 2009
Posted by: Cathy at 1:39 am
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It’s that time of year when guests appear and we want to make them feel warmly welcomed. If you’re lucky enough to have a full guest suite to pamper them, that’s wonderful (they may not leave), but many of us have guest rooms that serve many functions (office, nursery, exercise), or, no guest room at all, just space to open- up or blow-up a bed (love those ). Whatever you use as guest space, make it as beautiful and comfortable as you can. Your guests will 
appreciate all the effort you go to to make them feel welcomed.
I thought I’d make a “must have” list of some optimal guest room accoutrements. You can adjust these to your space and budget, but keep comfort and cleanliness first and foremost in mind. (click photos to enlarge)
- Good quality fresh smelling sheets
- New or immaculately clean pillows
- Extra blankets
Closet space/drawer space to unpack- Side table(s) for good lighting, clock, personal items
- Light control on windows
- Mirror in room (in case bathrooms are in use)
- Nightlight
- Fresh towel set(s)
- Hair dryer
- TV (optional)
- Internet access
A goody basket with…small toothpaste/brush, lotion, soap, pain reliever, bottled water, favorite magazine/book, sewing kit, snacks, paper and pen, tissues, disposable camera- Fresh flowers somewhere in the room
Did I miss anything? Please add to the list if I missed something you always want/need when visiting people.
Enjoy those wonderful visits with friends and family, and make their visits with you a memorable and enjoyable experience (but not too much, then they may not want to leave).
Happy Hospitality!
(model home pictures)
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1. Can’t wait to come and stay at your house!!!!!
by Julie — 11/15/09 at 10:17 pm #
2. In addition to a disposable camera, leave a small photo albumn/brag book (especially if you live in a place where it’s sunny… like Florida!).
by Lisa — 11/16/09 at 4:29 am #
3. For guests staying more than just a couple of nights, it’s great to include a map of the city, highlighting important or interesting locations: The nearest Starbucks, Target, A good restaurant, Park (especially for those w/ small children, or some local attractions.
by Robin — 11/16/09 at 12:18 pm #
4. Hey Julie,
Come on out! The blow-up bed’s ready to go. LOL. Actually, those beds are really quite nice and comfy too. A great space saver and packs in a small space when not in use.
Looking forward to your visit!!
by Cathy — 11/16/09 at 3:23 pm #
5. Love that idea Lisa!
Then all those great pictures of your trip will be close at hand to “brag” about your great trip to Florida, on the plane back home.
Thanks for sharing your “goody bag” idea with us.
by Cathy — 11/16/09 at 3:29 pm #
6. Hi Kathy,
Your timing is always right for the subjects you post! I have black furniture bedroom set and i just ordered a red quilt with a black and tan jacobean design and coordinating shams with black and white checkered euro shams to go behind them. You can view these on Linensource.com under the Sabrina quilt bedding. They didnt have coordinating window treatments and i have a sliding glass door on one wall and a long narrow window on each side of my bed. I am wondering if you suggest doing a white window treatment with the black band edging to coordinate? If so what kind of sheets did you use to make yours? Also my walls are yellow and I think the room may look more pulled together with a different color? I have red furniture in my living room which is right outside of my bedroom and I plan on bringing more of a white and black accents in there. I did my kitchen in a black and white them like yours but my walls are a mexican chili red orange as well as the same into my great room. I am trying to coordinate off of the wall color in the great room and kitchen into the other areas of my home what do you suggest?
by Dawn — 11/16/09 at 10:55 pm #
7. Hey Robin,
Great idea! I think adding a map of the area is super. Circle in red on the map, local attractions, places to eat, retail establishments and of course where you live so they can find their way back. You guys have the best ideas!!! This one goes in the “goody basket”!!!
by Cathy — 11/18/09 at 12:23 pm #
8. Hi Dawn,
What a darling house you have. Love those colors and patterns.
For your bedroom, instead of your yellow walls (which you questioned), you could use the tan color out of your quilt for the wall color. It would be a nice neutral with your strong color. I love your sheet drape idea with the black banding ( sounds like you read my post on that idea, http://openhouse.homegoods.com/index.php/2009/10/18/no-sew-drapes-on-a-dime/. )
You could make a patio panel, one-way draw with a king sized white sheet with black banding. Hang it from clip-on rings to function. Or hang two twin panels on the wall area on either side of the door, so you can access the door easily. For the small windows, split a queen sized sheet in half to make a pair for each window. Band them in black as well and hang from the same rods. I used regular cotton or cotton/poly sheets for mine. Whatever’s on sale!
As for the other wall color in your other areas, you could stay in that tan range of the bedroom, because your rooms are so close together and seen together. Keep some of your chili red walls as accent walls in your kitchen and family room but add the neutral to “relax” the strong color and unify all the spaces.
I hope that was helpful to you. Have fun decorating your darling home and thanks so much for your nice comments.
by Cathy — 11/18/09 at 12:59 pm #
9. Great Ideas ! I have tried the goody basket for my guest and they loved it. I store away guest pillows and pillow cases just for my quest. It works great. I don’t have to buy new pillows everytime I have guest but they are still like new and always smell fresh.
by rhonda — 11/20/09 at 1:06 pm #
10. Hi there Rhonda,
Thanks so much. I love that you store away linens for just your guests. Then they are always fresh and gently used. Also when you see things on sale for the guest room, pick it up to have on hand. Save them just for guests. I always seem to have to run out and buy a pillow or sheet in a hurry, so It’s great to have a little guest section in your closet especially for guest bedding.
Thanks for adding your great comments and ideas to the post.
by Cathy — 11/20/09 at 8:09 pm #
11. I love the large tropical plants for ambiance and oxygen!
by Teri — 11/20/09 at 9:36 pm #
12. I recently had a guest from Argentina visit. In a nice wicker basket I included Spanish magazines, local postcards and international stamps among other things. I also had the Spanish version of our local newspaper delivered for her three week visit.
by Rae — 11/22/09 at 9:00 am #
13. Hey Teri,
Plants are great in any room even guest rooms, and yes, they give of oxygen, clean the air and bring some nature inside. Thanks for noticing the details!!
by Cathy — 11/24/09 at 10:14 pm #
14. You are quite the hostess Rae,
I’m sure your guest from Argentina was thoroughly impressed with your attention to her comfort and making her feel at home. She will remember her visit with you fondly and more importantly how much you cared.
Thanks for your addition to the subject.
by Cathy — 11/24/09 at 10:26 pm #
15. Cathy, coming across your post today was perfect timing for me! I recently purchased a home and I’m in the process of creating a guest room. I want to give guests the feeling of being in a posh hotel. Thank you so much for your list.
by Marie — 12/9/09 at 12:08 pm #
16. Glad I could help Marie,
Guests deserve the best. It’s their time away from all the stresses in their lives, so it’s great we can add to their comfort and relaxation.
I bet your guest room will be wonderful!!! When can I come?
by Cathy — 12/9/09 at 3:35 pm #