With the summer months quickly approaching and the school year coming to a close, we're finding ourselves approaching the season of vacations and visiting family and friends far away. For those of you who have family coming to stay with you this summer, I've put together a few tips and tricks to make your house feel like their home throughout their stay. Most of these tips are quick and fairly inexpensive or can even be done using items you already have, but following these little tips is sure to make you the hostess with the mostest whenever you're entertaining visitors!
Clean And De-Clutter Your Guest Space
This likely goes without saying, but before your guests arrive, it's important to de-clutter the space in which they'll be staying. There's nothing worse than feeling as if you're staying in someone's storage room...so if it's possible, remove all non-essential items that aren't serving the space or your guests! Give the room a good cleaning - be sure to dust in all the nooks and crannies so your guests feel at ease when they're staying with you and don't uncover any unsightly dust bunnies during their visit.
Consider Temperature Control
One thing that makes staying away from home a hassle is finding yourself too hot or too cold in the middle of the night with no way to fix the problem. To ensure that your guests are cozy and comfortable there are a few measures that you can take! Does your guest room have a separate thermostat or a ceiling fan? If so, great! But if not, a free-standing fan is a great solution. You can store it in the closet and let your guests know it's available to them should they need it. Another great solution is keeping extra blankets visible for chilly nights. Thoughtfully drape a throw blanket across the bed or on a chair in the guest room so that your visitors can bundle up when needed.
Bedding
On the topic of bedding, when choosing a set for your guest room, consider purchasing bedding that is comfortable, (cotton or linen is a great choice!) durable, and easy to clean. Dirty, stained, or discolored sheets aren't exactly the most welcoming sights for house guests! White may seem intimidating because …well…it's white, but did you know that white sheets are the standard in the hospitality industry? They look crisp and clean and you can simply bleach them between guests to keep them looking great.
Bedside Tables
To keep your guests comfortable, try to ensure that everything they need is within arm's reach. Most people use their phone as an alarm clock, so ensuring there are outlets near the bed and they can place their phone on the bedside table is a great solution to keep your visitors comfy. Add a lamp, and maybe a magazine or book they can flip through, all displayed in a thoughtful manner.
Decorate Your Space
You do not need to go all out to make your guest room feel stylish and inviting. By simply adding a few art prints to the space and a plant or two, your guest room will instantly feel elevated and your guests will appreciate the extra effort!
Include a Hamper
One thing that is so often overlooked in the guest room is a hamper. Give your guests a place to toss their dirty towels when they're finished and keep the guest area feeling clean and comfortable during their stay. **Bonus: This will make clean up even easier for you after their departure!
Snack + Toiletry Trays
It can be very uncomfortable tip-toeing through a house you're unfamiliar with in the middle of the night when you've got a case of the midnight munchies, so consider going the extra mile and putting together a snack tray or basket for your guests atop the dresser. You could include things such as bottled waters, crackers or chips, fresh fruit (that doesn't need to be refrigerated), nuts, and/or cookies. A simple collection of treats doesn't take long to put together but shows your guests how much you care and will help to hold them over until breakfast, should hunger strike.
On the same note, make sure that the bathroom your guests will be using is well stocked too. Having things like extra toilet paper, tissues, soaps, wash cloths, towels, and even feminine hygiene products displayed in a thoughtful and visible way can save your guests from any uncomfortable conversations and shows some added love. Some people aren't comfortable rummaging through the cabinets or linen closet to find what they need, so adding a small tray with these items to the back of the toilet or near the sink is all it takes!
Display The WiFi Network and Password
As your guests wind down for the night, they may want to scroll through Instagram or post about their trip on Facebook. Make it easy for them by displaying your WiFi network and password in a cute and functional way. I've created this free printable that you can frame and display in your guest room, making it easy for your guests to log in. Click here to get the free download!
Spend A Night As Your Own Guest
The best way to make sure that your guest room is comfortable and functional is to stay in it yourself. Consider spending a night in your guest room and testing it out...in doing so, you may realize that you need to switch out blinds for a better light-filtering variety, that you're in need of a mattress pad, or you may just find that your guest room is a cozy oasis perfect for hosting. Either way, putting yourself in your guest's shoes before they arrive is a great way to ensure that their visit goes off without a hitch!
I hope that these tips and tricks help you to bring your hosting skills to the next level this summer and keep your guests feeling at home every time they come to visit!