Having friends and family over to visit can be a really enjoyable and rewarding experience. You can make your guest feel more welcome and comfortable by making a few subtle changes and additions. Here are 11 quick and affordable ways to update your guest room this winter, to show you’re really the hostess with the mostest!
1. Declutter
The guest room tends to be the place where we dump all our stuff when we don’t know what to do with it. Spend a moment looking at your room with an objective eye so you’re more likely to notice the clutter that you’ve accumulated over time. Less is more, so anything that your guest won’t need or use should be thrown out or moved for the duration of their visit. Clear the floor, furniture, and surfaces so there’s enough space for your visitor’s belongings.
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2. Do A Deep Clean
Now that you’ve cleared the room of all its unnecessary junk, it’s time for a good ol’ clean. Time permitting, you can really go to town and wash the curtains as well as the bed linen before your guest arrives. If you’re a little more time-strapped, just cleaning the main areas will instantly make the room smell better. On the ‘not negotiable’ list is clean bedding, a good vacuum, and a decent dusting. Open the curtains and windows when you’re done to allow the room to air.
3. Pull Up A Chair
If your space allows, a comfortable armchair in the corner of the guest room is ideal for putting on shoes, reading, or relaxing. You don’t need to buy a chair specifically for this – simply move an existing one from one of the other rooms for your guest’s exclusive use.
4. Space For A Suitcase
No one likes stooping down to fetch clothes from a suitcase on the floor, so why not provide your guest with a small bench, or table? It’s a small gesture that will make your guest feel even more comfortable.
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5. Get The Lights
Proper lighting can make all the difference in a room, especially in winter when it’s cold and gloomy outside. Ensure that all bulbs are working and provide a bedside lamp for reading if you haven’t done so already. If you can, spread a few lamps around the room to help create a cosy glow.
6. Make The Bed The Hero Of Your Room
During your visitor’s stay, the guest room will mostly be used for sleeping or resting. As such, the bed is the most important area of the room. Ensure that your sheets are soft (white, if possible), newly washed, and smell fresh by spritzing them with a linen spray. Add a throw or two for colour and warmth, with a couple of spare blankets and throws stashed in the cupboard in case. Add pops of colour with scatter cushions to really ramp up the luxe factor.
7. Ramp Up The Cosiness
If your guest room has a hardwood or tiled floor, add a fluffy rug near the bed for additional warmth. Then, scatter a few scented candles or diffusers to really take the cosiness up a notch. Candles add ambiance and a sense of tranquillity, but stick to subtle fragrances that won’t overpower. Lastly, a small selection of coffee table books, magazines, or travel books are a nice touch, but keep it to a minimum so as not to clutter all over again.
ALSO SEE: How To Make Your Own Room Diffuser
8. Make Room
If you can, clear a shelf or two (or more) so your guest can unpack and feel more at home. Even if it’s just for a night or two, having space to unload will make your guest feel welcome. A spot on a table for a bag, or a space in the cupboard to pack a suitcase away is all your guest needs. An easy-to-reach plug (with an adaptor) is also useful for charging a phone or laptop.
9. Provide Flowers
Wouldn’t you feel special finding a bouquet of fresh flowers next to your bed? A simple arrangement will make the coldest room look more welcoming and cheerful, so there’s no need to go overboard. Just make sure your guest doesn’t suffer from allergies that could be flared up by pollen.
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10. Creature Comforts
Provide your visitor with a fresh set of towels to use for the duration of their stay. These can be placed at the foot of the bed or in the guest bathroom. Next, add a box of tissues, a bottle of water, and chocolate to really make them feel special.
11. Be Your Own Guest
Spend a night in your guest bedroom to find out exactly what it’s like. Is it too hot? Is the sun hitting you early in the morning? Are the pillows too soft? You’ll soon know what to change or add.
These simple and affordable tweaks require minimal effort (and resources), but will help to make your guest feel like they are staying in a five-star hotel (but better).
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Compiled by Food and Decor Editor, Claire Badenhorst
