I love staying in fancy hotels... okay, luxury or boutique hotels! I probably could live in one! It's all about the special amenities and beautiful bedding and decedent room service and fluffy towels and ... I could go on and on!
Obviously, I don't get to stay in those hotels often. But just recalling my infrequent stays makes me feel relaxed and pampered!
That's just the way I want StoneGable guest to feel!
We are having guests this week and I'm getting the guest rooms ready...
Here is a list of 10 essentials for creating a cozy guest room...
1. CLEAN AND UNCLUTTERED
The most basic essential of an inviting guest room is that it must be clean and uncluttered! Scrub, scrub, scrub every nook and crannie! Clean all the bedding and air out the pillows.
Keep most personal items out of this room. I like my guest rooms to have a very fresh and clean look with some open space. Guests usually bring a lot of things with them and can fill up a room quickly with their own stuff!
2. FRESH BEDDING
I opt for white sheets, blankets and quilts. I can wash and bleach them and they look like new. I buy the best sheets I can afford... there is really a difference!
Wash and make up the bed a couple of days before your guest come. They will appreciate a freshly made bed! Bedding that has been in a linen closet or on a bed for a while looses it's fresh smell.
Just a note on accent pillows... if you love them like I do make sure there is a basket for your guest to toss them into so they don't end up all over the floor and in your guest's way!
3. LIGHTING NEAR THE BED
This is a must... even if you have overhead lighting. A nice light and side table is a basic essential! Many people like to read before they go to sleep. I say get rid of overhead lighting... it's way too harsh... and sorta creepy!
4. FLUFFY TOWELS
Having fluffy clean towels ready for guests in their room saves them from rooting around the bathroom or having to ask you!
I have all white towels in the house. Again, they are easy to launder and it's so easy to find fabulous high quality ones at deeply discounted prices!!! White towel are always on sale!
I keep the towels in this guest room in a wicker cart (Pottery Barn Outlet). The bottom shelf has a basket with extra magazines.
I'll put a few small bottles of water on the bottom shelf the day my guest arrive and replace them as needed.
5. CLOCK AND OUTLETS NEAR THE BED
I know most of us don't need a clock because we have smart phones, but when we have older guest they may appreciate a clock in the room. It's also important to have enough outlets and plugs near the bed for phone and other electronics.
Here's a side note. I hate prefer not to have people on their phones during dinner. Collect them in a basket before dinner and distribute them after dessert!
6. A PLACE TO PUT SUITCASES AND CLOTHING
Now this is a tough one! I have stayed at many homes and find that the guest room closet is prime "off season clothing" real estate! If at all possible clean out the guest room closet or at least a part of it so guest can hang their clothes. Don't forget to supply nice hangers too!
If guest stay more than a night, I like to have two empty drawers in a dresser that they can put their clothes in. Living out of a suitcase for days on end can be messy business!
I also have a luggage rack for my guests.
7. READING MATERIAL
This is the fun and easy part. I have so many great magazines... so I pack lots of magazines and interesting books that I think our guest would like into a basket near the bed.
Because we live in an area that people come to vacation and tour, I keep lots of brochures and info and maps about our historic area for our guests.
There's lots to read the the guest room!
8. TISSUES AND INCIDENTALS
Most people will keep tissues in the bathroom....but I think they should be stashed in the bedroom. Keep a box near the bed.
I also keep any trial size incidentals that our guest may have forgotten, like shampoo, toothpaste, hairspray, elastic bands, etc. in a box in the guest room closet. Our guest can help themselves to what they need.
9. WASTE PAPER BASKET
Easy peasy... put one in every guest room and empty it every day!
10. PERSONAL TOUCHES
Now this is my wheelhouse! I am the embellishment queen! Adding personal touches is something I love love love to do!
Flowers are a MUST! Even if they are a $5.00 grocery store bouquet or good looking weeds gathered along the roadside! The are the universal sign of welcome!
When guests come I usually put a picture of them or a loved one in a frame and let them take it home at the end of their stay.
I also put a little basket of goodies... smoked almonds, dark chocolate, granola... things like that... in the guest room. YUMMY! Some guest, no matter how much I insist, are just not comfortable raiding the refrigerator!
I'm getting so excited just thinking about having guests at StoneGable for a few days! My house may not be perfect... and believe me... it isn't!!!! But my welcome it!
Add a comment and tell us other ways to make guest feel at home in your home!!!
Remember to
I'm partying with...
- I'm ready for a visit to stay in your beautiful guest room -
ReplyDeleteEnjoy your weekend.
Rose - http://muchloveroseblog.tumblr.com
OK when can I book my visit:) So pretty and welcoming. I love all of your suggestions and agree small touches like flowers and great reading material are just that extra little something that will make your guests feel special. I love the idea of having the box for incidentals...very smart!!
ReplyDeleteThese definitely are the essentials for a great guest room. My list is the same except I also have a basket with a few snacks - fruit and some of those 100 calorie snacks, just in case they wake up hungry in the night. Lol
ReplyDeleteSuper idea Heather! I'm stealing that!
DeleteYes I would like to join the queue to come and stay. Your room looks divine.
ReplyDeleteHugs Kay
Great suggestions. I do most of these, but there are some I never thought of. I will add them to my list at once. Thanks.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful guest room in a beautiful home! I would add a mirror. I recently was a guest in someone's home, and having a decent mirror to use while getting dressed, applying make-up, or doing your hair is essential. Now there was a hallway bathroom that the homeowners designated for our use, but I was traveling with my entire family and we all needed to use that bathroom!
ReplyDeleteGreat idea! I have the perfect mirror... I'll make sure I do a post on it!
DeleteI am sure your guests enjoy the stay at StoneGable with such a perfect Host.
ReplyDeleteDon't forget to mention hooks on the back of doors to hang their robe and an obvious place to hang wet towels! Too many times I have been a guest and struggled with those. And lastly, I always place a pretty plate on the dresser so my guest has a spot to put their watch, jewelry and earrings at night if they choose. Your guest room looks very inviting! What a wonderful touch to give them a framed photo at the end of their visit!
ReplyDeleteWhat a perfect room Yvonne. I have to change my office back into the guest room here soon for a month. I will use your tips for sure :)
ReplyDeleteThanks for getting my room ready!!!! :)
ReplyDeleteYou think of everything...and I love how you placed those fluffy towels on that gorgeous stand. Getting ready for company myself...thanks for all of your wonderful tips!!! Have a great weekend!
Fantastic tips! We just moved into our new home and I will take your advice into consideration as I prepare the guest room. Thank you! :)
ReplyDeleteI really like your idea of white linens and white towels. I already have towels on my list to purchase this weekend and I am going to switch to all white....great idea! Plus they can be used in any bathroom regardless of the decor. Thanks so much for sharing!
ReplyDeleteAwesome but do they ever want to leave? I wouldn't if I were staying there. LOL
ReplyDeleteohhh I wantta stay in that room lol! beautiful room!
ReplyDeleteHelen
We live in a small vintage apartment and often need to have guests sleep on a good air mattress. We go European style and give our bed room to our company, but sometimes that makes people feel uncomfortable. So even when it is just the air mattress ... I still make it pretty and add all the bits and pieces.
ReplyDeleteFondly,
Glenda
Good for you Glenda! I love your "European" style!
DeleteGreat tips, Yvonne! I have always done just about all the things you have mentioned, both here and in our old house. Right now our son is installed in our guest room while he looks for his own place after completing his Master's {and he got a job!}. His girlfriend is coming to visit in a couple of weeks and I will have to get him to straighten up his stuff. He has taken over my guest room!
ReplyDeleteThis is such a beautiful room, you thought of everything your guests might need during their stay.
ReplyDeleteYour guests will never want to leave!
ReplyDeleteOh, how I wish we were related. I would love to stay in this gorgeous guest room. Does your husband have relatives in Ohio? My mother-law's dearest friend is a Pratt.
ReplyDeleteSandy, this made me laugh! No, we have a very very small family on the Pratt side.
DeleteI making my reservations today :-)
ReplyDeleteI would be honored and feel completely pampered in your guest room Yvonne!
ReplyDeletexoxo
Karena
The Arts by Karena
You have a beautiful guest room, and I'm sure your guests feel very "welcomed" into your home. One thing we did in our itty-bitty guest room was to add some nice hooks on the wall behind the door so they have some places to hang pjs, etc. We also purchased some nice white bathrobes (IKEA has some very nice ones and inexpensive) in two sizes, and those hang on the hooks as well. This way, they won't feel uncomfortable if they didn't bring a robe of some kind.
ReplyDeleteOh, I LOVE this idea! Coying this for sure!
DeleteGreat ideas!!! I love your guest room!!! Most of our guests have to stay in our daughters room (queen size bed) so one of the things I do is buy a bedding for use by only my guests. This way it's not the whim of what my daughter wants her bedding to be and it stays like new put away. A quick wash before guests arrive and everything is fresh and new in their room!!!
ReplyDeleteWhere can I place my reservation?! :) I would love to stay in this gorgeous room! You have thought about every. single. detail! Love it!
ReplyDeleteI shared this post on my Facebook group for B&B owners! Thanks for all the great tips!
ReplyDeleteYour room is gorgeous and you have thought of everything. I would love to stay there.
ReplyDeleteGreat tips Yvonne. your guests must have a fabulous stay with you, you are so considerate and thoughtful of their needs!
ReplyDeleteAlong those lines...
1) An excellent mattress and sleeping pillows, (my favorite mattress is the technogel estasi+)
2) black-out shades,
3) a comfortable easy chair with an ottoman (if there is the space)
4) extra pairs of new bedtime slippers (I usually buy one pair in medium and one pair in large);
5) bedside water carafe and premium bottled water.
6) I buy wastepaper basket liners just in case somebody is throwing something wet in the basket. Much easier to keep the basket clean if all you have to do is change the liner every day.
7) iphone and iPad charger
I try to make my guests feel as though they are in a master suite of their own.
Basically, being pampered is awesome:)
You are a superb hostess!!
ReplyDeleteI also love to create a beautiful stay in my home, I have treated my guest to a basket of late goodies (snack basket) in the room, mints/chocolates on the pillow, a small welcome gift hand made, and pretty much all on your list.
ReplyDeleteThis room is peacefully calm, and would be a room I would love to be a guest in.
This is a room to love!
Thank you for the beautiful share.
Xx
Dore
You are a perfect hostess.
ReplyDeleteYour bedroom is dreamy and gorgeous! Love all the white and vintage pieces. Would love for you to share at this week's Saturday Unfolded!
ReplyDeletebedroom-designs
I'm in the process of re-doing my guest room. What great suggestions. Love the picture in a frame idea. Thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteWhen I was a guest at my dear husband's parents, they always gave up their master bedroom. I did not know that was European style, per the above comment. When my late mother-in-law knew I was up she always brought me a morning cup of coffee to enjoy while getting ready for the day. How SWEET was that ! ! !
ReplyDeleteHospitality was very important in her home and you never left empty handed.
For a stayvaca, you just have to go to your guest bedroom.....
Yvonne,
ReplyDeleteYour tips are indeed helpful. Who wouldn't love staying in your comfy and bright guest room!
Your guest room is beautiful and your tips helpful, except for the "side note" of collecting cell phones from adults before dinner. I find this inappropriate, offensive and juvenile. In this day and age, like it or not, cell phones are essential to keep in touch and communicate with our children, spouses, babysitters, employers, etc. Emergencies don't conveniently wait until after dessert. My children's elementary school takes phones from students if they get caught using them during class and is returned to them at the end of the day. I wouldn't expect this protocol at an adult function nor would I ever surrender my phone before dinner and have it returned to me after dessert. If the person talking on the phone during dinner doesn't step away from the table, then the host or hostess can politely ask them to do so.
ReplyDeleteI'm not inviting you to dinner then....No one should "Step away" to take a call at a dinner I worked so hard to host. The ONLY exceptions are for doctors, volunteer firefighters, people who need to take REAL "emergency calls" (you hired the babysitter to take care of issues). Since I am "on call" for emergencies I either ask my host about the situation beforehand or try (sometimes unsuccessfully) to get someone to take my calls for that evening. If, after asking my host, she finds it inappropriate, I would never take a call during dinner and if I could not find someone to take my calls I would decline the invitation. And who gives elementary school children cell phones?
DeleteGood point! I host family as well as guest and sometime the "young" people need to be separated from their cell phones for a bit.. so everyone in my family does this! I should have been clearer! I would not take a cell phone away from an adult.
DeleteI usually have Jelly Belly's in the colors that coordinate with the guest bedroom for them.
ReplyDeleteHow cute!
DeleteWish you owned a bed and breakfast I would stay every year!!!!!!
ReplyDeleteLinda
Ocala, florida
Just lovely - I'll bet your guests come back often :)
ReplyDeleteOf all the rooms I have stayed in, in peoploes homes the best have ben ones that have a desk like area. I always bring a magnifying mirror and even a lamp for putting my make up on. A table or desk id SO wonderful. YOu are right, living out of a suitcase for days on end is NO fun. We basically lived out of our suitcases for 5 weeks this winter and it was HORRIBLE!!!!!!!!!!!!! Your room is fabulous and you are the bEST hostess!!!!!! XO
ReplyDeletegeesh, sorry for the typos!!!!
ReplyDeleteYvonne, I would love to be a guest in your lovely room! You must be a terrific hostess!! I have a dish that coordinates with the room beside the beds to be a catch-all for keys, coins and phones. I also try to have a pretty notepad and pen for them to use. I use white towels like you do , but I also have a dark washcloth for the girls/women to use for their face. I saw that idea at a B & B we stayed in.
ReplyDeleteCell phones are tricky with guests. When my family gets together, we have several teens and adults glued to their phones. I ask them nicely to let us have an electronic free meal. So far no one has objected, too much! Haven't tried that on adult friends. Hope you are feeling better!!!
Hi Yvonne, you better peek around the corner every time you leave your beautiful home because I just might become a "squatter" in that gorgeous guest room. :) Stonegable is certainly a place for sweet dreams. Thanks so much for sharing.
ReplyDeleteAnn Marie from Philly
Yvonne,
ReplyDeleteThanks for all the tips!!!
You have a beautiful and spacious guest room @ StoneGable!!!
I fail at the closet space. . .and I need to provide a trash can.
Guess I've some work to do!!!
Fondly,
Pat
Perfect timing for me! My in-laws are coming the end of the month so I'm getting the guest room ready! Thanks for the tips!!~~Angela
ReplyDeleteI can't wait to hear from one of your guests this week! What an amazing hostess you are and so welcoming. I love that!
ReplyDeleteSuch a great post filled with wonderful tips to welcome guests! I love your guest room ... so serene and inviting! So, are you accepting reservations?! :)
ReplyDeleteYvonne,
ReplyDeleteWhat is your secret for the fluffiest towels?
Hold on Yvonne - I'm on my way over!!!! What a stunning guest bedroom! All the touches you added are so thoughtful!! Thanks for sharing at Monday Funday Link Party - pinned and tweeted!! :) Heather
ReplyDeleteI have hunted down pictures of your guest room on more than one occasion when putting together my guest room! We live overseas, so when people come to visit they don't bring a wide variety of clothing due to limitations on suit case size and weight. So, I always put a basket in the room for dirty clothes. All of my guests have washed at least once, if not twice while staying with us. This allows them to keep their dirty clothes in one spot for washing and away from fresh clothing. I also always have a flashlight in the nightstand. With the time change, guests find themselves awake at all hours the first couple of nights. So, they can roam about without worrying about missing a step or bumping into a wall in the middle of the night. Finally, there is always a fan in the room. My children have to get up early to get ready for school and there isn't any air conditioning in Germany. So, the fan drowns out the noise and keeps guests cool.
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteI speak from experience when I say a stay at StoneGable is better than even the plushest, most luxurious hotel! All three of us thoroughly enjoyed our stay in your beautiful, love-filled home. We were pampered, loved on, well fed, kept exceedingly comfortable, made to feel like family and always felt at home! The tears when we left were genuine, and it really did feel like we were leaving family. All those kind and thoughtful touches in the guest room made our stay so very enjoyable. But you and Bobby and Scamp and Hobbes and your wonderful extended family made our trip truly memorable. We will never forget it or your hospitality! And Jackson is already plotting his return visit; he's been talking about Scamp nonstop since we left. He really, really misses his StoneGable family.
ReplyDeleteAmy, we LOVED having you with us and finding more family! YOu are just the most wonderful family!!!! Come back to your northern home soon!!!! Hug Jackson for us!!!!! Scamp mopped around for 2 days after you left!!!
DeleteI want a turn! :) Truly, meeting you in person is on my wish list. Staying in your home would make it even sweeter.
ReplyDeleteOMG- you are back! Just stumbled upon your blog from another site link and so happy to see you again. Best tips and articles. Thanks! Gwen
ReplyDeleteYvonne..Ssome of the homes I have visited don't " hold a candle" to your amazing guest room. Thanks for all the tips...I am working on my guest room now! {{HUGS}} Joy
ReplyDeleteWe use white towels throughout our home. My husband and I always feel like we are a little special when we use our nice fluffy white towels! We also stock our guest rooms like you. The only thing we do different is we put our trial size incidentals in a nice basket in the guest bath so our guests clearly know they are there for their use. We also have fresh hand towels & wash cloths lying on the bathroom counter. These are in addition to the other towels & wash cloths. We also have new, unopened soap and toothbrushes. (I don't like using soap someone else has used and I have been known to forget my toothbrush). While we have a waste basket in all the bathrooms, we do need to add one for the guest rooms. Thank you for reminding me!
ReplyDelete