Guest ready
A few weeks ago I promised that I would share some of my tips and tricks for prepping for the house guests we have in our coastal Maine home. So, up first is a look into how we keep our guest room stocked and ready to go.
My little sister jokes that coming to our house is like staying in a hotel. While she is certainly just making us feel good, we do try to keep some basic necessities on hand and in plain sight so that guests can help themselves to what they need. The dressing table in the guest room holds a basket of toiletries, tissues and some bottled water.
The contents of the basket varies based on what we have around, but some of the basics include:
- Extra toothbrushes
- Floss
- Toothpaste
- Mouthwash
- Ibuprofen
- Tums
- Lotion
- Hairspray
- Nail clippers
- Tweezers
Having these items out and in plain sight assures guests that they can help themselves, and also keeps them from rummaging through the medicine cabinet (not that we think any of our guests actually do that!).
I also try to put out towels and a washcloth. I know the linen closet is obvious in the bathroom, but it’s a little touch that I like to think makes people feel at home.
Oh, and having an obvious place to hang wet towels helps guests out a lot, too. Our new DIY towel holder from the bathroom makeover certainly helps in that area. Now we have ample space for towel hanging!
One last thing that I try to do (but sometimes forget) is to put out some fresh flowers. I usually pick up an inexpensive bunch from the grocery store and split the arrangement up into smaller bud vases. I put some in the bathroom and the bedrooms. I like to think it adds a little something.
And there is your sneak peek into how I prep our guest room (and bathroom) for visitors. Do you have anything to add to my must-have list?
You’re a much nicer hostess than I am… I should probably take some of these tips to heart.
I do promise clean sheets to my guests, though. I once stayed at a friend’s house and her mom told me that I was lucky because her last guests stayed more than 3 nights – apparently, she will only wash the sheets if her guests are there more than 3 nights. If not? Tough luck – you’re sleeping on someone else’s drool-filled pillow.
[Reply]
Erin, you are the cutest! When can I make my reservation? I love it.
I actually have a funny story about house guests and preparedness. I almost died of embarrassment the last time my husband’s family stayed with us. We have a guest bathroom upstairs that has 2 towels, hand towels, and washcloths in it. The rest of the household towels reside in our bathroom linen closet which is only accessible through our bedroom. This particular weekend, we had 4 adults staying with us and 2 of them arrived a day before the others. Naturally, the first 2 used the towels in the guest room. What I didn’t realize was that his uncle (who arrived the next day) was getting up very early in the morning to play golf the following day and got into the shower without realizing that there were no towels left. Unfortunately for everyone, his Aunt and Uncle did not want to wake us so she went searching the house for a towel. In the end, she found a dish towel from the kitchen and he used it to dry off!! (he is 6’4″…not a small guy) Long story short…I just about died! They are all coming again this weekend and you better believe that I am ready with plenty of towels!!
[Reply]
You are so awesome! I try and do the same thing. Our guest room is always ready to go and we keep the door closed so it’s always pet-free. I put current magazines in the guest room before people arrive. I have Kleenex and coasters on both nightstands. We just recently moved a TV into the guest room so it’s more hotel-like!
In the bathroom, I have a variety of soaps, lotions, shampoos, etc., as well as new toothbrushes, q-tips, etc. I also have a hair dryer and hair straightener under the sink for my female guests!
So glad great minds think alike!
[Reply]
You’re so good! I was lucky to have a few minutes to throw clean sheets on and clear a pathway to the bed! I had all these grand plans of sprucing up the guest room a bit more, but alas, other “things” got in the way.
[Reply]
I am so impressed! I am going to kick it up a notch next time I have house guests so they feel even more welcome. Nice ideas – Thanks!
[Reply]
We always try to leave our guests tons of the travel size stuff! Obviously I need to corral them in a cute basket!! Great ideas!
[Reply]