How to Prepare the Perfect Guest Room

The holidays are in full swing. Christmas decorations are up, holiday cards have been ordered or sent, and we’re eagerly awaiting family visiting from out of town. I was reminded a few weeks ago when I saw the Best Man Holiday that I need to freshen up our guest room to get it ready for our guests. I loved so many things about that movie including the set. The house, the guest rooms, the decor — amazing! Although not everyone can leave expensive bottles of champagne with Crystal flutes for our guests, there are certainly a few things we can do to prepare our guests rooms and spaces to help make our guests comfortable and their stay a little more special.

Here are a few tips and must have items to get your guest room ready to welcome your guests.

Quality bed sheets and towels. Many people don’t put enough thought into quality bath towels or sheets for their own use or guest use. Call me a domestic snob but let me tell you, I always notice. You can buy discounted high end towels on-line for a fraction of the department store costs. I have a set of plush towels and high thread count sheets reserved only for guests. (Side note: I once had a friend call me weeks after leaving our house asking me what towels we used because she loved them so much.) The best cotton to get for sheets or towels are Egyptian cotton. For sheets get anything higher than 500, but 800 or more if you can.

Add new plush pillows and decorative touches. Help your guests sleep comfortably with new pillows. Since pillows should be replaced at least every 12 months, the holidays are a good time to swap them out.

Extra hangers for your closet. Try to always keep a section of your guest room closet clear so that you have one less thing to worry about when guests arrive.

Bottled water on night stands with a few local magazines.

Small basket of toiletry items like toothpaste, deodorant, mouth wash, and hand/body lotions. If you can, try to include items from local businesses that make these products. It’s a great way to support small business and shop local.

A working alarm clock unplugged. Remember, your guests are on holiday. It would be no fun to wake up accidentally by an alarm clock that was still set. The glow of the light from most alarm clocks is distracting. I usually turn a clock around when I’m at a hotel or someone’s clock. You can let your guests know the alarm clock works and see if they’re interested in using it.