How can you make your guest feel at home?
Creating a welcoming and comfortable environment for your guests this holiday doesn't have to be complicated or expensive. With a little thought and preparation, you can make your home feel like a sanctuary where everyone feels appreciated and cared for.
Whether you're hosting a small gathering or a large festive party, here are some tips to help you make your guests feel at home this holiday season.
Get them all cozy in a comfy bed.
A comfy bed is the foundation of a happy, overnight guest. It ensures a restful night, fuels their energy for holiday fun, and shows you care about their well-being.
You don't have to invest in a new mattress for the guest room if your budget's a little tight this year. Just make do with the one you have already. If it has the teensiest bit of sag, you can consider getting a mattress pillow topper to provide comfort for your guest.
So, start with a nice mattress with a good protector, then a soft, luxurious topper, fluffy pillow, and some fresh linens. For an extra touch of love, drape over a knitted throw blanket at the foot of the bed.
If you don't have a guest bedroom, sleeper sofas are key.
Not all homes have extra bedrooms for guests, and that's completely fine. There are other things you can do to accommodate one or two guests comfortably at home. And our favorite go-to option, the couch.
Sure, a regular couch can work in a pinch. But since you've got a bit of time before the holidays, why not consider investing in a comfortable sleeper sofa? It works two ways, it's a nice sofa during the day and transforms into a cozy sleeping space at night.
And you have plenty of options, especially if you explore American Leather's Comfort Sleepers. Not only do their sleeper sofas come in various styles, but they are also available in a range of sizes, from a regular armchair that folds out to a twin bed to a three-seater that expands to a king-size bed.
Go the extra mile and make your guests more comfortable when you don't have a spare room:
- Hang a curtain to give them privacy. If you can't install rods for the curtains, you can use a free-standing divider instead.
- Prepare a basket with extra blankets and throw in some fluffy pillows, too.
Clear a space for their luggage.
When guests are living out of a suitcase, it can be helpful to provide them with storage space such as a section of a closet you use or an empty dresser drawer. This allows them to stay organized and keep their clothes wrinkle-free.
If your guest is staying in the living room, put a luggage rack or provide a small table or wooden bench where they can place their luggage. Remember, no one likes to have to stoop over too close to the floor for anything.
Add a reading lamp to brighten things up.
You know for yourself that it's helpful to have a nice reading light near a chair and over the bed or lampshades on bedside tables.
Your guest will appreciate it if you go the extra mile to brighten up their little nook. With easy-to-access lighting, they won't have to fumble about looking for the light switch in the dark.
Provide the essential amenities.
Now, it's highly likely that your guests will bring essential items like their own toiletries. But it won't hurt to prepare.
You can fill a woven basket (basket for a special touch) filled with basic things your house guest might need like a bar of soap, a small bottle of shampoo, a toothbrush, a small tube of toothpaste, maybe a tiny jar of hand cream. And of course, fresh towels and extra blankets.
A tip, always keep a few travel-size bottles at hand. It can be impractical to buy small toiletries, so keep a stash of travel-size bottles on hand for guests. You can easily transfer your own stock of toiletries into these little lifesavers for guest use.
Set up a little coffee bar.
Setting up a coffee slash snack bar for your guests is a great way of saying that you care about them and they are welcome in your home. Whether they're bunking in the guest bedroom or camping out in the living room, make sure they have easy access to snacks, especially at night.
In the guest bedroom, clear out a side table (or bring over the console table in your entryway) and set up a little bar with an electric kettle, drip coffee packets, tea bags, water bottles, granola bars, cookies, dried fruit, and if you have extra, even a coffee pot.
If your house guest is staying on your couch, an elaborate setup wouldn't be practical, so a basket of snacks can sufficiently provide that nice touch of home.
Create a relaxing atmosphere in your home.
The surest way to create a relaxing atmosphere in your home is by keeping it tidy and providing a comfortable sleeping space for guests. Other things you do beyond these (food included, of course) are an extra touch but make all the difference.
To make our homes more relaxing for our house guests, we need to engage multiple senses, and we can do this by:
- Leaving a small vase of fresh flowers on the nightstand or side tables for cozy visuals
- Putting a scented candle and an air freshener in the bathroom for a good scent all around
- Providing slippers or fuzzy socks, a fluffy robe, and extra throw blankets for an extra touch of cozy
- Placing a selection of books or magazines on the nightstand for guests to enjoy before bed
- Diffusing lavender or chamomile essential oils to promote relaxation and restful sleep
Creating a welcoming and cozy atmosphere for your guests is not only a kind gesture but also a way to make their stay memorable. It's the small touches that can make a big difference and leave a lasting impression.
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