Taking the Guesswork out of Guest Rooms...
by Sandy Dixon, Interior Arrangements, Inc. ©2004
There are many things you can do to make guests feel welcome, even if
you have only a small amount of space to offer. The ultimate goal is to
make your houseguests feel comfortable, welcome and to be able to
discover their own little place for privacy.
When appointing your guest room, think about those things that made your
stay at someone’s home or at a hotel especially pleasant or memorable.
And think about what particular needs your guests might have in order to
avoid having them ask you for something. Most guests don’t want to
burden their hosts by having to ask for things such as alarm clocks or
towels. It’s also a good idea to try and keep your guest room free of
your family belongings so that they feel completely welcome and not like
an intruder.
Try incorporating some of these hospitality touches to make your guest
room a visitor’s ‘home away from home’:
Place extra blankets, towels and pillows in the room or within easy
access.
Use crisp, pretty linens on the bed.
Provide drawer and closet space (with ample hangars). If your guests
prefer to live out of their suitcase too, have a luggage stand or
surface space for them to easily access their belongings.
Place an empty decorative tray on the dresser top so your guests have a
visible place for keys, jewelry and other easy to misplace items.
Have a mirror in the room for your guests to check their appearance.
Make a bathroom ‘guestworthy’ by placing a toothbrush and toothpaste,
bottle of shampoo, comb and hand lotion in a basket in the guest
bathroom.
Extra bath and facial tissue, as well as additional bars of soap should
be stored in the guest bathroom. If sharing a bathroom, liquid soap is
preferable, otherwise provide guests with a bar of packaged soap (travel
size works well).
Electronically equip the room (or sleeping area) with an alarm clock,
reading light, radio and nightlight. If there is a television in the
room, provide a current TV listing for them.
Have books and magazines, as well as information about your town and
state available for both information and entertainment.
Add a small fresh flower arrangement or have live plants in the room to
make it more inviting.
Bottled water or a carafe of water with a glass in the guest bath or
next to the bed is a comforting addition to the room.
A simple, welcome note accompanied by a couple of wrapped mints on their
pillow or next to the bed is a charming touch.
Hang a plush, clean robe on a hook in the guest closet or bathroom.
Providing a cozy chair in the room allows guests to relax without having
to sit on the bed.
Have stationary or notepad, pens and a wastebasket close by.
If your guests are staying awhile, give them a house key (and share the
alarm code, if applicable).
Show your guests where you keep your coffee, tea, breakfast and snack
items in case they are early risers or have a midnight craving.
The next time you are entertaining overnight guests, be creative and
incorporate some (or all!) of these ideas and your guests will remember
their stay with gratitude and fondness. Remember, it doesn’t matter
whether you dedicate an entire room to guests or simply adapt a sofa in
a family room…it’s not the amount of space that counts, it’s the
imaginative details that matter most. Happy hosting!
Sandy Dixon, owner of Interior Arrangements, Inc. is a Professional Real
Estate Stager and former Realtor. In addition to her redesign services,
she offers training workshops, business coaching and speaking
engagements nationwide. WB2 Television recently did a 2-part series on
one of Sandy’s Staging projects and she is frequently featured in
industry and real estate publications. Sandy can be reached at toll free
1.877.674.8667 or visit her website at
www.interiorarrangements.com
Read another article on interior decorating...
Secrets to a Sensational Room
... using what you already have - Are you confused as to how to ‘pull a
room together’? Do you want your home to feel more spacious, warm and
inviting? You might be tempted to add another chair, piece of artwork or
accessory hoping it will magically transform the room.
