the
perfect guest room
by
kari newsom
Okay,
so this idea of a perfect guest room isn't always achievable in most
homes. But it's best to always have an idea of the best - and work
around it. Allow it to fit your home, your personal likes - take what
you can and use it. Modify what you can and use it.
Having
a guest in stay in your home will most likely leave a branded impression
of your hospitality, cleanliness, generosity and all around character.
Why not make it the best experience for the guest? Make them feel
as if they are staying in a 5 star, $1500.00 a night hotel room.
There
are many aspects a guest should feel while in your home: peace, safety,
comfort, rest, settled - and much more. We hope our ideas can help
you have 'the perfect guest room' for you as well as give your guest
a lasting impression of your great hospitality. You want them to be
able to let everyone know that you are the best host they have ever
stayed with. It is possible.
1.
First and foremost, your guest needs to feel welcomed into your home
as well as comfortable. There's nothing worse than staying in someone's
home and feeling on edge. Let them know from the start that they have
free access to your home. Free access to the refrigerator, the tub,
the T.V, the pantry - without needing permission from you. Some people
still may feel a little awkward making them selves 'at home' at first,
but it goes a long way to know that the host wants them be so comfortable
in their home, that they have access to everything a family member
does.
2.
Let your hospitality and generosity so shine! Be extra helpful and
considerate to your guests. Treat them with kindness and respect.
You want their stay with you to leave a good impression on them -
not a bad one. Make their stay unique and over and above expectations.
3.
The location of your guest room is large factor as well. Depending
on the size and layout of your home you have no choice and you just
have to make do with what you have. But, for the perfect guest room
you generally don't want it next to any children's rooms. You also
don't want to have it in a high traffic area of the home - if possible.
It's quite embarrassing if your guest awakes in the morning and head
for the shower and they have to walk through the dining room, kitchen
and family room to get there - with an audience the whole way. If
possible, have your guest room either right next to the bathroom or
in a room with an adjoining bathroom. If it is a Jack and Jill bathroom,
give your family some guidelines so they don't walk in on the guest
while they are staying with you. If none of this is possible - and
your master bedroom is off in the corner with it's own bathroom, away
from the traffic and noise - consider allowing your guests to use
your room while they are with you.
4.
If your guest room isn't solely a guest room, but serves as
your storage room or craft room - clear your things out of the room
while you will have company. If things can slide under the bed or
be put into drawers or in the closet - it's much better than having
a cluttered guest room. You want this room to offer all the comforts
of home.
-make
sure your closet has enough space for them to put their clothes and
belongings. Have a large supply of hangers for them to use as well.
Have special hangers to hand dress pants, hang nice dresses or shirts
and for hanging skirts. If you don't have enough empty floor room
for shoes, consider buying a hanging, canvas shoe bag. This will also
keep them from bending over all the time to get their shoes.
-If
the room doesn't already have one - put a full length mirror in the
room, on the door or on the inside of the closet door.
-It's
a plus to keep the night stands / bedside tables simple and free from
'clutter'. Try to avoid items that are valuable to you (breakable
nik-naks, etc.) and you shouldn't have any type of items that can
damage easy if knocked over. It's a guarantee that when there are
too many things on the table, they'll get knocked at some point or
another.
-It's
nice to provide a reading lamp beside the bed. Also, depending on
the season and weather, you should have available to your guests a
fan or a space heater (if necessary in the room).
-Leave
a couple books that may interest your guest and throw in a couple
of current magazines (of good taste of course).
-Some
essentials for the bedding are usually: 4 pillows (2 firm pillows
and 2 soft pillows); blankets- a couple heavy and a couple light (since
you may not know their preference, this way they don't have to ask
you for different coverings); a nice throw is good if your guests
want to take a nap, or to cover their legs while they read, etc.;
a couple smaller 'travel' size pillows that they can use to prop behind
their heads if they are sitting up in bed reading, writing, etc.
-Decorating
is an important factor as well. Depending on the styles and themes
in your home - this will vary. For instance, if you decorate Victorian
style, then you are more likely to have more items in the room and
covering the wall. That's what will give it the ambiance and feel
of the Victorian era. What you don't want is a room filled with clutter
and junk. When decorating, think of a hotel room. They are very sparse
with items around the room - but, instead choose to accent the room
with a few pieces (art, flowers, etc). Try not to have too many personal
items crowding the room (photos, awards, trophies, etc.) If this is
a room that is used for multiple purposes and these items are normally
in there - remove them temporarily while you have company. It's okay
to have some personal belongings, just keep it simple.
-Make
sure the room has curtains, blinds or shades. These are essential
to keep out heat and unwanted sunshine while napping or sleeping in.
5.
Make the bathroom that your guests will be using a personal, serene
place. Remove your toothbrushes and other personal care items. Have
new toothbrushes and a new tube of toothpaste for you guests. Provide
shampoo, conditioner, soaps, etc. For a special touch, add a candle
or incense. It's sometimes helpful to have a night light in the bathroom
so it's easy to find if your guests need to go in there in the middle
of the night.
-The
proper amount of towels in a guest bathroom are: 2 large towels, 2
hand/face towels and 2 washcloths for each guest.
Make your guest's getaway something to remember. Create your own perfect
guest room by using the suggestions above and by using your own creativity.
There possibilities are endless!
