In our Lakeview Landing homes, guest rooms are often a point of interest, therefore, we’d like to share some tips on how you can make guests feel extra welcome with a comfy guest room.
Whether you have a devoted room for guests or you clear out a room for their stay, eliminate as much clutter as you can so that guests have places to hang clothes (and make sure there are extra hangers), stow away shoes and put their jewelry for the night. A foldable luggage rack (like the ones you see in hotels) is extra-useful, too.
Look at a thorough cleaning of the room as an opportunity to emphasize how welcome your guests are. Wipe off all surfaces, clean windows, vacuum, and don’t forget to check the ceiling corners for any dust accumulation.
In addition to fresh linens on the bed, be sure guests have extra pillows and blankets, so that they can choose the combination that works best for them to get a good night’s rest. An alarm clock or clock radio (set to a local news or soothing music station) is a nice touch, as is a vase of unscented flowers and a box of tissues on the bedside table. Bottles of water on that table will be especially well received.
For safety, have some nightlights on hand that you can plug into open outlets – your guest will not be familiar with the furniture layout in the guest room; a nightlight on the path to the bathroom is another smart addition.
Welcome your guests by, if possible, devoting one bathroom to them alone. Be sure to stock it with freshly laundered towels, extra toilet paper, shampoo and conditioner; you may want to add some toiletry items your houseguests may have forgotten in a small basket on the counter: sample-size toothpaste, a disposable razor and shaving foam, a toothbrush, a comb, hand lotion and a shower cap are all great ideas.
Finally, some extras are helpful to warm your guests' hearts: local maps and travel guides, your wireless network key written on a small card, phone chargers, a set of spare house keys, a conveniently placed power strip, and a few current magazines all help to make your houseguest happy, self-sufficient and independent.
Do you have other ideas to share? Jot them below for others to read!