Guest Room Essentials to Create a Home Away From Home

With fall here and the holidays around the corner, people are traveling to reunite with family and friends. You may be planning to host company from out of town at your home in the coming weeks. Now is the time to begin getting your home ready, and a big part of that is making sure that your guest room is as comfortable as possible. The right guest room essentials help to create a home away from home for your visiting loved ones.

Try these 10 thoughtful details to make your guests feel welcome as they enjoy their stay.

Guest Room Essentials:

Cozy Comforts

Whether you have a bed or a pull-out sofa bed in your guest room, soft, fresh sheets and a beautiful bedspread signal warmth and feel luxurious. Greet guests with a beautifully made-up bed and some extras to make them as comfortable as possible, including additional pillows and blankets, just in case.

Fab Furnishings

Once the basic furnishings are in place (including a good quality mattress and a nightstand with a good reading lamp), consider a few extra pieces. A desk or small table with a chair allows guests to work or check their email during their stay. A luggage rack or a bench gives guests an easily accessible place to store a suitcase. A comfortable upholstered chair provides a spot to read or relax. Light-blocking curtains will help ensure your guests get a good night’s sleep.

Technology Touches

Another item on your list of must-haves for guests is a charging station for devices. They will likely have their own charging cords, but providing a USB charging cube is a nice touch. A wireless charger might save the day if a guest forgot their charging cord. Many people travel with multiple devices, so for plenty of available outlets for guests. A surge-protecting power strip with a built-in USB port can serve both purposes. Share your Wi-Fi password in a small, decorative frame on the nightstand so that guests can stay connected.

Personal Items

Place a basket with personal care items that your visitors might need. A pocket-sized hand sanitizer, a simple first aid kit, extra disposable face masks, cotton swabs and a travel-sized bottle of lotion are thoughtful touches. Earplugs and an eye mask can also be helpful. Remember to keep a box of tissues available! A humidifier can add to the room’s comfort, especially with the dry air of the winter months.

Toiletries

Offer a few basic toiletries both in the guest room and the bathroom for guests to enjoy. Extra toothbrushes, toothpaste, floss, a small bottle of mouthwash, shampoo, conditioner, body wash, disposable razors and hand cream are a good place to start. Make sure guests have access to an ample supply of washcloths (dark for makeup removal) and bath towels for their stay. Include a wastebasket in both the guest bedroom and bathroom. Pro tip: if your guests will use a dedicated guest bathroom, use the facilities yourself before their arrival. Check that water pressure and drainage are good in the sinks and showers, especially if it’s a bathroom that doesn’t get much use.

Simple Storage

You’ll want to leave room in the closet for visitors to hang their clothes and coats and add a few spare hangers. If there’s a dresser in the room, allot at least one or two empty drawers and add a fresh smelling sachet. Hooks are one of the easiest ways to help guests stay organized; an over-the-door hook rack can be installed in seconds with no hardware required, making it easy for guests to hang clothing, bath towels, garment bags or other items.

Hydration Station

A guest room essential that will eliminate middle-of-the-night trips to the kitchen: keeping a few water bottles on hand. This is even better in a tiny mini-fridge; ones that hold a few cans or bottles come in a variety of fun styles and are surprisingly affordable. A pretty tray with an automatic kettle for water, some tea bags and packets of honey is also a nice touch.

Light the Way

Being in an unfamiliar place can make middle-of-the-night bathroom trips a challenge. Put a nightlight in the guest room, the hallway and guest bathroom to avoid tumbles or accidents. A fun but not necessary feature is to sync an Alexa smart plug to a lamp in their room, letting guests know they can turn the light on or off with a simple command. Thanks to the search feature, they can also check the local weather and inquire about local attractions and restaurants.

A Well Lit Mirror

If your guest room is usually an office or serves some other purpose, you may not be properly set up for company. Add a wall mirror or a full-length mirror inside a closet door, and if your budget allows, invest in a makeup mirror so your guests can easily get ready for the day. A stylish framed mirror is also a nice addition to the décor.

Reading Material

A few general interest magazines or a small bookshelf with some of your favorite novels, coffee table books or short stories is a welcome addition to any guest room. A guest room essential that will come in handy: visitor guides for your area. Local history books may be of particular interest as well.

These few, attentive details will ensure your guests feel welcome, comfortable and right at home. You may also find inspiration on my Guest Room Essentials Pinterest board. Let me know if there’s anything you’d add to the list above; my social links are below.

For more information, check out The Protocol School of Texas. Another article that may interest you: Holiday Houseguest Etiquette. For more of Diane’s etiquette tips, read her posts on Inc., subscribe to her articles on The Huffington Post, “like” The Protocol School of Texas on Facebook, and follow her on Pinterest, Instagram and Twitter.