If the idea of hosting family or guests this holiday season is making you nervous, don’t panic! Here at Decorsify, we’ve got you covered with twenty quick and easy ideas for your guest room that are guaranteed to make you the best host your guests have ever had.

The Gift of a Good Night's Sleep

It is a given that a good night’s sleep is the best gift one can offer to their overnight guests. The three easiest ways to accomplish this are with a comfortable mattress, pillow, and covers.

1. A comfortable mattress goes a long way when it comes to nightly comfort – but if you’ve got a less-than-comfortable mattress that you don’t want to replace, don’t worry! A simple mattress pad makes a dramatic difference and will help you stay on your holiday budget.

2. When it comes to pillows, providing your guests with plenty of options is the way to go. Offer a firm pillow, a softer pillow, or a set of multiple pillows in case your guests like to prop up in bed. That way, you can be sure they have access to what helps them get the bet rest.

3. Similarly to pillows, ensure your guests have plenty of options when it comes to wrapping up at night. Some guests might only need the sheets while others might need extra layers, so it is important to provide them with different options so they can adjust accordingly.

4. Bonus – if your guests are known light sleepers, adding an eye mask or ear plugs to the bedside table can be a lifesaver, especially if your home is in a busy city or close to any bus routes or train tracks.

The Gift of Storage

Having somewhere for your guests to put their things during their stay is nearly as important as the room itself!

5. Make sure you have a location in your guest room that can serve as a luggage stand. A bench or ottoman at the end of the bed or a simple luggage rack will do the trick. A shoe rack placed somewhere in the room, or a small bookcase for their items would also be a nice addition.

6. Be sure to empty any drawers and clear space in the closet for your guest’s belongings. Let your guests know which areas are available to them, to keep them from feeling as though they are invading your space.

7. An accessory tray can be useful, whether placed on the bathroom counter, nightstand, or dresser. That way any smaller items belonging to your guests – such as jewelry, keys, and air pods – aren't in danger of being lost.

The Gift of Convenience

Now that we’ve covered the basics, here are some additional ideas that are not as fully necessary, but will make your guests’ stay easier, and more comfortable.

8. A reading lamp by the bed that is easily accessible is always a plus, especially if your guest is known to be a bookworm.

9. Make sure your guest has accessible refreshments within the room, whether that be in the form of a water pitcher and cup, or water bottles kept nearby (because no guests should be left to their own devices, wandering the kitchen to try and figure out where your cups are in the middle of the night).

10. Give your guest the Wi-Fi password, typed on a note or even framed for easy access.

11. Speaking of notes, leaving your guest a notepad and a pen wouldn’t hurt, especially if you know your guest will be doing anything work-related during their stay with you.

12. Arrange the guest room so that outlets are easily accessible, either directly or using extension cords if they are in harder-to-reach places. Don’t forget to provide plug adaptors if necessary!

13. Basic toiletries should be provided, even if your guest is supplying their own (think hotel rooms with their shampoo/conditioner/body wash/toothpaste/extra toilet paper). Even better, you can provide a drawer in the bathroom stocked with new toothbrushes, dental floss, wet wipes, feminine products, face wash, brush, comb, etc.

14. In the spirit of being a hotel wannabe, providing both a hair dryer and an iron for your guests to use when getting ready is thoughtful.

15. If you (or your guests) have pets, a lint roller is a must have.

16. Make fresh towels easily accessible to your guests, along with hooks for drying purposes.

17. A full body mirror is something often forgotten when setting up a guestroom but can be convenient for guests while they are getting ready, especially if they will be leaving your home for any other holiday activities.

The Gift of Thoughtfulness

The tips below are additive, earning you extra points with your guests for your thoughtfulness and the effort that you put into preparing for their stay.

18. Leaving your guest a set of slippers and a robe is a nice touch for your guestroom and is sure to make your guests feel taken care of, even spoiled.

19. There is nothing more elegant than leaving a luxury candle on the nightstand for your guest (matches included).

20. Lastly, and perhaps most importantly, spruce up your space. Put down a beautiful rug, include an extra chair in the corner, update the curtains, and hang a few pieces of homey wall art to complete the room and make it both inviting, and more memorable. Look through Decorsify’s affordable and stylish rug options, as well as furniture solutions for your guestroom that won’t break the bank. 

It takes some effort to make sure your holiday guests are given a memorable experience while staying in your home, but the effort is worth it. With tips like these, you’ll have your guestroom in tip-top just in time for the holidays!