GET YOUR HOME READY FOR GUESTS
Here’s how to make sure family and friends have a memorable stay in your guest room
Create a restful retreat
When hosting, the main aim is for your guests to get a great night’s sleep. So, start with quality bedding – think a supportive mattress, plump pillows and a snuggly duvet. A neutral palette is a guaranteed crowd-pleaser, but a pop of colour courtesy of a Christmas-themed bedding set will instantly get them in the festive mood. Add in a cosy throw just in case your guests feel the cold and some scatter cushions for comfy reclining. If you have the space, add an occasional chair or bench at the bottom of the bed for guests to relax on after a day of festivities.
Add a few homely touches
To make your guests really feel welcome, create a little home away from home for them. This is easily achieved with a few accessories, such as artificial flowers or a potted plant and a seasonal room fragrance. Candles in decorative holders will set the scene for a relaxing night in and table lamps at the sides of the bed will not only prove convenient, but they’ll also make the room feel super cosy. Consider hanging a mirror that your guests can use to get ready, either a full-length style or a smaller piece thoughtfully positioned above a chest of drawers and make space in the wardrobe so they can hang their coat or party dress.
Think beyond the bedroom
When staying in someone else's home, asking your host for something can be awkward. Leave a pile of neatly folded towels in the room just for them and they won’t feel like they’re imposing. It can be worth going the extra mile with soft and fluffy Egyptian cotton and bamboo fibres to leave them with a luxury hotel feeling. And why not amp up the Christmassy vibes with towels in a festive design? Stock their nightstand or guest bathroom, if you have one, with any toiletries they may have forgotten such as haircare and bath and body products, perfect for use alongside a refreshing post-party shower.
Words: Laura Bradley
