Offer your guests a room that’s comfortable and has decorative appeal during this holiday season.
By Diane Franklin
Ah, the holidays! So much fun, and so much work! There’s the cooking, the cleaning, the shopping, the wrapping—and the stress of hosting overnight guests. Just how well your guests enjoy their visit may depend upon the accommodations. With that in mind, here are some ways to give your guest bedrooms extra appeal.
Spruce Up With Paint
One of the best ways to make a tired, rarely used room seem lived-in again is to give it a new coat of paint. Usually guest bedrooms are small spaces, so it won’t take long to accomplish this task. To make the room seem more spacious, try a light “whisper tone” of pink, blue, green or lavender. If the baseboards are worn, freshen them up as well with white semi-gloss paint.
Freshen the Flooring
In some cases, this may be as simple as hiring a carpet-cleaning company to come in and freshen up every carpeted room in the house. If the bedroom has a hardwood floor, assess its appearance. If it looks a little dull or dingy, head to your local paint store and ask what types of products they have to restore the finish. Also consider buying a new area rug for the space, which will warm up the floor on a cold winter’s night.
Make Room in the Closet
If your guest bedroom closet is the place that you stuff everything from decades-old sweaters to your now-grown daughter’s cello from when she was in sixth-grade orchestra, now is the time to purge that space of everything that’s dated or just too bulky to fit. Make sure you provide the guest with clothes hangers—and while you’re at it, perhaps you can clear out the top two drawers in the dresser for your guest’s use.
Assess the Bed
Nothing makes an overnight visit more inviting than a comfortable bed—and that starts with the mattress. Lie in the bed yourself to determine the comfort level. Is it lumpy or concave? If so, perhaps turning the mattress over will make it more comfortable. And if that doesn’t do the trick, it might be time to invest in a mattress pad—or even a whole new mattress, if the current one is older than Methuselah.
Also be sure to dress the bed nicely with fresh sheets—flannel ones are particularly nice in the winter time—as well as with an attractive comforter, pillow shams and decorative accent pillows. Make sure you have an extra blanket for your guests in case they get cold at night. A throw at the bottom of the bed can serve this purpose and is an extra decorative touch that enlivens the room.
As you consider the bed, also consider the headboard. Is it worn-out or just plain boring? Would a paint job give it new life—perhaps something trendy like a unique chalkboard paint? Or perhaps you can replace the headboard entirely. Check out the second-hand shops around town for something vintage and appealing. Or search out the listings on Craigslist for a decorative headboard that would work in your space.
Double-Check the Lighting
Make sure any burnt-out light bulbs in the overhead fixture and in tabletop lamps have been replaced. Check on the window treatment controls to make sure they are easy to operate so that your guest can let in light but close the blinds for privacy as needed. Often a nightlight is appreciated (especially among older guests) for those potential bathroom visits at 3 or 4 a.m. In addition, make sure your guests have access to outlets to plug in their chargers for cell phones, tablets and other electronics.
Accessorize Thoughtfully
You don’t have to go overboard with tabletop accessories—your guests will likely want to use the dresser and nightstand tops for books, travel documents, hairbrushes, laptop computers and other personal items. But do set out a few niceties such as a floral arrangement, tissue box, notepad and pen, and an illuminated alarm clock.
Often accessories can be a way to show your decorative talent and create a unique space for your guests. Perhaps use peel-and-stick wall decals to add a nice decorative embellishment; manufacturers of these products offer themes ranging from cityscapes to wall calendars to floral wall art to inspirational quotes. Another possibility is to find space for a vintage piece of furniture, such as nightstand table or a chair, that you have faux-painted as a conversation piece.
Because your guests are likely family, you may wish to hang family photos or memorabilia on the walls. Perhaps a wall hanging that serves as a reminder of a special place (such as the setting from a past family reunion) or a special time (such as a championship sports season) would be a nice, meaningful touch. Anything that evokes warm feelings and warm memories is sure to be appreciated by your guests during this special time of year.