How To: Make your guests feel at home over the holidays

Photo by: Caribb

With the holidays the most popular time for house guests, here are a few tips on how to make your guests feel more at-home in your home with room set up, other room choices and special touches.

Guest Room Set Up:

Budget is the number one thing to consider when setting up a guest room. Use the existing furniture to fit the theme of the room by re-arranging or even painting it. The suggested furniture for a guest room is 2 twin beds, chair, mirror, dresser, lamp for reading, alarm clock and spot for the guest’s luggage.  A TV, DVD player and CD player can also be added for entertainment at night.

Decorations for the guest room should be simple and almost sparse. Make sure to remove all of the extra stuff that was placed in there when used as a storage room. It can be decorated by theme or to go along with the rest of your house, but should be set up like a hotel room with a little bit more personal touches. Paint the walls, add plants, decorations, shelving and picture frames.

Other Room Choices:

A guest bedroom is a luxury many people do not have in their house. If you are one of the lucky ones, it is the perfect space for your out of town guests. However if you don’t have the extra space, you should choose a large room that can be easily turned into a private area.

The office and family room are the most popular rooms converted into a guest area. In the office, you can place a blow up mattress or a pull out couch with fresh linens, pillows and blankets. It is also helpful if the room is located near a guest bathroom. The living room can easily be turned into a private area by purchasing a folding screen or temporary curtain rod and curtain.

Special Touches:

If budget and time permits, add extra pillows and blankets in the closet so they are easily accessible. Wash the sheets and make the bed just before the guest arrives so they are fresh and add a piece of chocolate on the pillow for an extra touch.

Place a basket in the bathroom they will be using with extra towels and most commonly forgotten toiletries, such as hair spray, extra unopened tooth brush, soap, poof, body wash, hairdryer, other hair tools, razors, shaving cream, shampoo, conditioner, etc.

Clear out part of the closet that you will be giving them and add shelves and shoe racks so they are able to unpack. Also, clear out a few dresser drawers for the remainder of their clothes.

No matter what your house or budget permits, the most important thing to remember is to always make the guests feel like they are welcome and your home is their home. Whether it is for the holidays or just a short visit throughout the year, they should be made to feel that they are allowed anywhere in the house, that includes opening up your movie collection and refrigerator to them.