Sunday, December 3

Outfitting a Guest Room...

Creating space for guests in your home involves more than providing a comfortable place to sleep; it's an opportunity to make people feel welcome and ensure that their time spent with you is memorable.


Choose the Right Room
Ideally, a guest room is a bedroom with a bathroom attached. It should be inconspicuously placed, so that guests don't need to cross the busiest parts of the house to get to it; for privacy, it shouldn't be next to a child's room.

Decorate Sparingly
In a strange room, comfort and space are more soothing than a clutter of unfamiliar things. On a bedside table, place a single flower bloom in a simple glass, a nice clock, and a selection of books suited to your guest's taste.

Outfit the Bed
Make up a double bed with four ample sleeping pillows, two medium to firm, and two soft, as well as two smaller pillows to prop up the head when reading. Use cotton or linen sheets, starched and ironed for hotel crispness. Provide both light and heavy blankets, as well as a lightweight throw for afternoon naps.

Closets and Drawers
Make sure that there is adequate closet and drawer space. Supply a variety of hanger (at least a dozen good wooden or metal ones) that will hold trousers and jackets, flimsy dresses, and heavy coats. And make certain there is a full-length mirror.

Bathroom Essentials
If the bathroom is shared, clear space in it for toiletries. Stock it with new toothbrushes and toothpaste, a plush robe, and a supply of clean cotton towels (two large bath towels, two face washcloths) for each guest. Supply a few luxuries that one might not find at home: a beautiful soap or an unusual cream, a special shampoo, or a small bottle of perfume or cologne. If your guest has allergies, hypoallergenic soap and moisturizer.

EXTRA COMFORTS

After you've provided the basic necessities, consider some of these extra touches to make guests feel at home.

Sitting Area
Space permitting, set up a comfortable chair or settee with a pillow and throw, an adjacent table, and a good adjustable-brightness lamp. Assemble a small personal library, including some magazines and a daily newspaper (useful for local listings like concerts). A radio for morning news and quiet evening listening is a thoughtful addition; you might also include a portable cassette or CD player with a selection of music.

Desk Supplies
Provide a small desk or a cleared tabletop, and stock it with pens and paper, note cards, envelopes, and stamps. Compile a list of some favorite local places: restaurants, cafes, museums, antiques shops, cinemas and provide timetables, if appropriate, for buses, ferries, or trains. A telephone in the room is a convenience, but not a necessity.

Extra Warmth
If the room has wood floors, place a small rug beside the bed. For visitors during the coldest months, think of providing a hot-water bottle in a soft slipcase- a soothing amenity your guests won't have expected to find.

Food and Drink
Consider your guests food preferences: If one is a vegetarian, or allergic to fish or dairy products, be sure your menus include options and that your pantry and refrigerator are appropriately stocked. Show guests where to find snacks, drinking glasses, and utensils, and encourage them to help themselves. Leave a pitcher of spring water and a glass on the bedside table in the guest room.

**I found these instructions for creating a guest room on Martha Stewart's website. In addition to being helpful in creating the perfect space for guests, I thought that these directions would be helpful in making our bedroom more of a haven. I also liked the fact that if you were to follow these instructions in your bedroom or guest bedroom, all of one's senses would be engaged as the space was enjoyed. This article made me feel like it was time to get busy and create an atmosphere in my home conducive to relaxation, comfort, and security!**

5 comments:

willfulmina said...

yes, let's! By the way--Mama said yes to getting you the baby-food-maker. Anna and I will be bringing it down.

Love you,

Kate

theups said...

Goodness, I'll bet your home is MOST welcoming!!! Thank you for sharing this!!!

His,
Mrs. U

Lean Not said...

I vote that Emma invite us all over so that we can try it out. ;-D

Jess Connell said...

Heh- I was JUST thinking about needing to do a blogpost about this topic, but wonderfully, you've already written about it. (I was going to write about it more from the perspective of not knowing how to be a very good hostess, and what do I need to learn?... but you've written it so I don't have to. I think I'll be linking to you as an online friend... your blog is insightful and unique!

Blessings,
Jess

MamaBirdEmma said...

Oh, Ladies, My home is not this welcoming... I wish that it was! This was taken from Martha Stewart's website. I would love to be a guest at her house:)

It would be great if you were able to link to my blog, Jess! I am glad that all of your blkogs are up and running again... I will be visiting often!

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