How to Get Your Guest Room Ready (Checklist)

Having guests stay overnight is the ultimate in home entertaining. And during the holiday season you may begin to feel like you have a revolving door as friends and family come and go. Get your guest room in shape for visitors with my tips and checklist for the ultimate in hospitality!

We’ve been hosting overnight stays for friends and family for 25 years, and now that the kids are grown we occasionally host their friends from collage. I actually love it!

These are my best practices for getting things prepared for out-of-town or overnight guests, and I cover everything from designing the room itself to outfitting it for the needs of travelers. I’m also sharing simple tips on hospitality and a printable checklist to follow.

Get Your Guest Room Ready

Even if you fill it with furniture castaways from other rooms, make the guest room inviting and cozy. If you can, I suggest you have a full size bed at least. It can sleep two, although tightly.

I started with a daybed with trundle because we already had it. It’s the perfect transitional piece of furniture for the space. It’s a sofa by day, and with a pop-up trundle bed underneath, it can sleep 2 at night.

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Create a Neutral Space

Design a room that can accommodate all ages and genders. This room has kind of a lounge feel for everyday use, but appeals to guests whether male or female, young or old.

1. Keep the bedding simple and neutral. That makes it a great canvas for decorative pillows – a MUST for a daybed. It’s all about balance when it comes to mixing and matching pillows. My rule of thumb is to add color, graphic prints, and texture. I used the orange patterned pillow, the fuzzy fur pillow, and the black and white pillow to help do that.
2. A coordinating throw at the end of the bed is necessary so you can curl up with your feet underneath and read a book or magazine.
3. Provide usable surfaces next to the bed. Use what you have. I thought about buying bedside tables, but I ended up really liking the eclectic look of using a tray table at one end, and a stack of vintage suitcases at the other. They do the same job as a bedside table, and I get to use what I already have.
4. Place fresh water and glasses for guests, as well as fresh flowers.
5. Add decoration to the walls with a mix of artwork. A collage wall can include inspirational quotes, black and white photography, canvas art, small mirrors, colorful prints, and empty frames.

Make It Functional

6. Add an occasional chair for guests to sit in so they don’t have to lounge on the bed. It can also double as a drop spot for purses or jackets. Add a pillow to bring color to that side of the room.
7. Add an area rug. If you have wood floors you’ll want a larger rug for foot comfort. If you have carpet already, add a decorative rug that helps frame the space. My black and white rawhide rug adds an eclectic touch.
8. Hang dark or light-blocking curtains to help control the amount of light that comes in. Regular blinds don’t block sunlight very well so these charcoal gray curtains can be pulled closed to provide extra shade for sleeping.
9. It’s also a good idea to have a charging station, an alarm clock, and box of tissues close by. I also place a notepad with pen in case they need to jot something down the old fashioned way.
10. A scented candle freshens the room, or you can opt for a lightly scented room spray, linen spray, or fragrant stick diffuser.
11. Plug in a nightlight so they’re not stumbling over things in case they go to the bathroom in the middle of the night. It’s also helpful if they’re entering the room at the end of the evening to go to bed.

12. Stock the closet with flocked non-slip hangers (I love these), pant/skirt hangers, as well as a clean robe.
13. Add the extra touch of providing a pair of cozy slippers. They’re inexpensive and guests can take them with them when they leave.
14. Everyone’s sleep comfort is different. Have extra pillows and blankets neatly folded and at the ready. And on the other end of the spectrum, provide a portable fan for those who run hot.

15. Have a small stool or luggage rack awaiting your guests’ suitcase or travel bag.

Provide Amenities

A well stocked guest room includes amenities that visitors may have forgotten to pack, as well as useful items to make them more comfortable.

The shared bathroom in our home is rather small so instead of storing items in there I fill pretty boxes for the guest room. 

16. Turn a console table into an amenities center. Use decorative boxes or baskets and fill them with supplies your guests might need.
17. Add a little “welcome” card where you can put your WiFi code so guests can log on. Go the extra mile and write a sweet personalized message to your guest and let them know you’re happy to have them.

18. Provide snacks for them to enjoy without feeling like they have to ask. Fill a box with chips, nuts, snack bars, apples, and mints. I shared more thoughts on stocking food, with Apartment Guide’s article on welcoming guests.
19. If you don’t want to have a carafe of water in the room, you can add a couple of bottles of water instead. Mini bottles of wine are also a nice touch.
20. Don’t forget to add Advil or Tylenol to the table. Travel can be stressful! Not to mention it helps when you’ve had too much wine the night before.

21. Fill another box with toiletry items they may have forgotten. Along with the usual bath items, I’ve included a shower cap, a lint roller, wrinkle remover spray, makeup remover wipes, deodorant, and hairspray.

22. Stock up on some fabulous chic toothbrushes, toothpaste, floss, and mouthwash. Place small bar soap in an apothecary jar.
23. Place a tray on the table to corral everything together, and guests can put jewelry or other small things in.

24. Provide a storage chest or basket filled with towels and washcloths. Make sure they’re in good condition!
25. Also make sure you have hooks for wet towels so they can hang to dry. Over-the-door hooks are great for this.
26. Provide some magazines to read, and have a small trashcan handy.

Coffee Station

If you want to provide the ultimate in luxury, set up an in-room coffee station! It’s actually quite simple to do if you have a table or dresser in the space.

• All it requires is a single cup Keurig, a pitcher of water they can use to fill the machine, coffee pods, and mugs.
• Add sweetener or sugar packets (or sugar dish), non-dairy creamer, small napkins, and stir sticks or spoons for the extra touch.
• Gather the items (aside from the machine) in a nice tray that can handle any drips or spills.

Hospitality Tips

The bottom line is to show your guests you’re so happy they’re there. Here are some helpful tips to keep in mind.

• Think like a traveler so you stay a step ahead in fulfilling their needs.
• Take a que from hotels and resorts. At the end of the day turn on the light and turn down the covers while your guests are occupied elsewhere. It’s a thoughtful task that will make them feel pampered when they walk in later.
• Offer them a drink and snack when they arrive. It’s a lovely way to say “Welcome!” You can prepare a charcuterie board or mezze plates for easy noshing.
• If you’ll be providing dinner, make it an easy casserole or the best slow cooker spaghetti & meat sauce. They’re easy to make ahead, or double the recipe if needed. And make sure you check for special dietary needs in advance.
• Give them a quick lay of the land. Let them know what is available and where everything is. If dinner or other plans are at a specific time, make sure they know.
• Clean the clutter from the closet or room, if there is any. They’ll need plenty of space for their things.
• Be respectful of their privacy and their need for down time. Hang a Do Not Disturb sign on the door handle. It’s whimsical and functional!
• Prepare a self-serve meal for the next morning. A simple bagel breakfast in the morning is great for them to help themselves. Or choose any of my delicious breakfast recipes to start the day with.
• One of my favorite ideas for long term memories is to start a guest book. A small journal works well for this. Guests can sign it or leave a message for you, the host, or simply write down what they did while visiting. We used to do this in college when we went to our friend’s family beach house. I’d love to read that now!

Checklist

Are you ready to start taking reservations? Grab this free printable checklist so you can have everything ready for your guests’ needs.