Prepare For Your Houseguest

PREPARE FOR YOUR HOUSEGUEST
Welcoming a guest into your home is an art form. It involves considering every possible happy-guest element and creating a space that makes them feel “at home”. Whether you’re hosting an old friend, family, or even new acquaintances, invest in cultivating an atmosphere that makes your guest feel comfortable, valued and cherished. Let’s explore how to distinguish your hospitality with thoughtful touches that will make any guest feel both right at home and magically transported to a niche boutique hotel.

Declutter and Organize
Well before your guest arrives, take some time to sift, sort and make your space welcoming. A clean, clutter-free home ensures guest comfort and a more enjoyable hosting experience all around. It also helps you focus on their visit.


Create a Cozy Space
Don’t let a smaller home space deter you from hosting. There are a multitude of creative ways to transform any space into a cozy guest room. Sleeper sofas and Murphy beds can do double duty and turn a home office into a warm and welcoming retreat while offering extra storage and room to move about. If your space is multifunctional, consider adding an area rug where the bed will be.  It makes those first steps in the morning more inviting while also giving the room a sense of warmth. 

Make Room for Their Belongings
Invite your guest to unpack and unwind in an organized space. Clear closets, empty dresser drawers and add a bench for settling in. The Araku Boucle Bench is a versatile storage solution with plush fabric and generous cushion.

Another option for extra storage is the Damian 3-Drawer Storage Bench which also offers three ample wicker storage baskets. Personalize storage with matching hangers, lined drawers, and a lavender sachet. Up the ante and accent the dresser with the Sagebrook Home Jewelry Hanger, a ceramic centerpiece that will make them blink twice.

Stock the Bedside Table
For an above-and-beyond bedside table, add bottled water, well-chosen reading material, dark chocolate and wi-fi login details in a decorative tray. Go glam with the Silver Wood Tray or au natural with the Jamie Young Utopia Footed Tray in tropical raffia with clear cultivated lines. Light sleepers will appreciate extra touches like a silk sleep mask and super soft earplugs.
A Just-in-Case Basket
Because we always forget that one item. There is nothing like a curated basket or tray stocked with luxurious toiletries along with toothpaste and a toothbrush to surprise and delight your guest. This Rectangular Plateau will present amenities and dress up your vanity; its translucent alabaster originates from Tuscany. For an extra touch, keep a vanity mirror stored on an open shelf.


Update with Luxe Linens and Extra Blankets
The tactile experience of high thread count linens adds an elevated dimension to any stay. Opt for  sheets and duvet covers that that breath and feel silky against the skin. Available in solid, stripe or dot patterns, the Athens Sheets are finished with hand-guided stitching along the hem. Also make sure you have enough pillows and blankets for all kinds of sleepers. Similarly, with plush, oversized towels your bathroom would feel like a spa.


Adequate Lighting and Ventilation
Aside from the obvious need for adequate bathroom lighting, be sure to provide sufficient lighting at all hours. A few strategically placed motion-sensor nightlights offer easy passage during nighttime hours. Consider flameless candles to elevate the atmosphere. The Silver Mirror Glam Candlestick Holder is an eye-catching centerpiece perfect for housing flameless candles and creating an elegant ambiance.



Room-Darkening Curtains
Consider installing room darkening shades to enhance your guest room's functionality. Cordless Cellular Day & Night Shades provide optimal light control, blocking out unwanted sunlight to ensure a comfortable and relaxing retreat during the day.



An Entryway Mirror
Allow guests to spot themselves with a well-placed accent mirror. Make a streamlined statement with the Sagebrook Home Arch Floor Mirror or go a little bold with the Chapman Shou Sugi Ban Floor Mirror in New Zealand pine veneer with a charred black finish.



An Easy Schedule
Sharing a cup of tea or glass of wine on a comfy sofa in front of the fire can be so much more meaningful than an overscheduled visit …and far less stressful.

Preparing for guests goes well beyond just cleaning and organizing – it's about creating a warm and welcoming atmosphere that reflects your care, respect and values. Focus on the intentional touches that say you know them. Taking the time to prepare for their visit not only welcomes them but also enhances your shared experience and creates lasting memories for you both.