How to Plan a Guest Room
/We have a loft-style bonus room above our garage that previously served as the playroom, but since the kids are getting older—and since my husband purchased a ping pong table—I decided it was best to move the playroom to the basement and the guest room to the bonus room. With company coming to stay with us later this week, I have been scrambling to take the bonus room from kid’s hangout to vacation getaway suite.
We often have family visit so I want this space to feel like a second home. I’m a little short on time to get this room exactly where I want it, but I’m thrilled with the progress and will add a few items—like additional seating—in the future. I want my guests to be comfortable. Using my own experiences from traveling and reflecting on the comforts I appreciate after a busy day, I have complied a list of guest room essentials…
My Guide to Guest Room Provisions:
Comfort
Comfort is top priority. Keep bedding simple with sheets, perhaps a light blanket, and a comforter. In addition, tuck an extra blanket close by to ensure your guests are cozy no matter the temperature. I need two pillows to sleep comfortably so I provide my guests with the same, offering both soft and firm options. Store an extra set of sheets in an easy to find spot just in case the need arises.
A bedside table and lamp gives your guests the comforts of home, allowing them to relax with a book at the end of the day, and eliminating the need to trek unfamiliar territory in the dark. If you don’t have nightstands on hand, get creative! We use my grandmother’s antique sewing machine as a bedside table, but you could even use something as simple as a chair.
Storage Space
This is a challenge for our space because the room doesn’t have a closet and the loft ceiling makes furniture placement tricky. There is no simple way to incorporate a dresser or hanging rod into the space. I installed a hook on the back of the door for a place to hang a coat, purse, or nice outfit—I have more hooks for the door, but they proved to be pain to install with my limited handyman abilities, so finishing that project is now on my honey-do list.
I knew I wanted some type of bench or ottoman for the foot of the bed. After visiting countless stores, I deemed an outdoor bench perfect. (Added bonus: if guests aren’t staying over we can move it out to the patio for additional seating!) This bench makes the perfect spot to plop down your luggage or sit down to put on shoes.
Towels + Toiletries
I hate having to pack shampoo, conditioner, body wash, etc. for trips. I always make sure my guests know in advance that I will have these items for their use. No one needs to fret about the threat of a lotion explosion within their luggage. We obviously stock the bathroom with essentials, but I also like to keep some extra towels and toiletries right in the room so guests don’t have to feel uncomfortable digging in closets and cabinets to find what they need.
Food + Drink
I enjoy a bedtime snack, but that meal typically doesn’t happen when you’re staying elsewhere. I know most of my guests are comfortable enough to raid my pantry for a midnight snack if their stomachs start to growl, but it’s a nice gesture to set a few snacks in the guest room so they won’t have to go wandering around your dark house in the middle of the night. Be sure to also stash a couple bottles of water in the guest room. No one wants to be guessing which cabinet has the drinking glasses once everyone else has gone to bed.
Electronics + Entertainment
The wifi password is one of the first things a guest is going to want to know. I have a framed sign with our wifi password on a desk in our guest room. I also like to keep a pen and notebook handy in case someone needs to jot down a quick note.
In the process of going through our charging cables—you can read that post here—I set aside extra adapters and charging cords to keep in the guest room.
Other people’s electronics can be confusing and intimidating. We have a TV in our guest room with a Chromecast plugged in, this allows guests to not only watch our streaming services, but stream from their own accounts and devices—if they are in the middle of binge watching something on Netflix, cueing up the next episode will be as easy as if they were in their own living room.
Perhaps reading is more their style… I have a small collection of books in our guest room that I wouldn’t mind guests taking along when they leave. I also set out some local magazines that might just inspire an outing for food or fun while they are in town.
Freedom
While I love spending time with my guests, I don’t want them to feel tethered to me. Providing guests with a spare key and/or a garage door opener gives them a little extra freedom and makes your house feel even more like home.
