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10 Quick Ways to Get Your House Ready for Company
Holiday checklist: See how to make your home 100-percent welcoming in an afternoon. Plus: How to be a good guest
Houzz Contributor. Hi There! I currently live in a 1920s cottage in Atlanta that I'll describe as "collected."
I got into design via Landscape Architecture, which I studied at the University of Virginia. I've been writing about design online for quite a few years over at Hatch: The Design Public Blog.
Houzz Contributor. Hi There! I currently live in a 1920s cottage in Atlanta... More »
It's that time of year; as if you didn't have enough wrapping, cooking, and holiday-card writing to do, guests will soon be descending upon your home, too. To make their stay as pleasant as possible and keep your sanity, keep this quick to-do list ready. It'll help you knock out the preparations in just a few hours.
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1. Keep things toasty. To keep your guests comfortable on cold nights, make sure they have ample blankets and an extra quilt on the bed.
Consider your window treatments. It may just be a matter of adding a simple roll shade to make sure your guests get the privacy they need and won't be awakened at the crack of dawn.
Consider your window treatments. It may just be a matter of adding a simple roll shade to make sure your guests get the privacy they need and won't be awakened at the crack of dawn.
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| 2. Provide ample reading light. You don't necessarily need to install new sconces like these beauties, but if the guest room is currently stuck with leftover dim lamps or just one depressing overhead light, borrow a task lamp or two from your office and set them up on the nightstands. If you're lacking nightstands, floor lamps next to the bed will do. |
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3. Set out a bouquet of fresh flowers. Even a single stem on the nightstand, dresser, or bathroom vanity will do. In the winter, clip a branch from an evergreen for holiday cheer. Extra touches like this will make your guests feel special.
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4. Give them know the time of day (or night). Hosts often overlook the need for an alarm clock for guests because they haven't slept in the room themselves. Another item in this room that's a nice touch is a bottle of water. If you want to be super-hostess, leave them the latest copy of People mag so that they can keep up with the Kardashinanigans.
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| 5. Provide a comfy spot for reading and lounging. If your guests have a nice spot to retreat to in their rooms, they'll be more tempted to hang out there a bit and stay out of your hair when you need a little me time. |
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6. Give them somewhere to store their things. Living out of a suitcase on the floor is a drag. Empty a drawer for their unmentionables.
The dresser in here is serving double-duty as both storage and nightstand.
The dresser in here is serving double-duty as both storage and nightstand.
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A portable luggage rack is a wonderful touch and makes unpacking so much easier. Bonus for you: It keeps guests from placing grubby luggage on your lovely guest-room duvet.
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| 7. Make sure they have a few hangers for their clothes. No room in the overstuffed guest closet? Buy some over-the-door hooks and place 5-10 hangers on the hooks. Pull out your best fabric-covered or wooden hangers for your guests. |
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Here are some Joan Crawford-approved hangers. I pick up a pack of these every time I go to IKEA, in the hopes that someday there will be "no more wire hangers" in my closet.
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Hooks like these provide an instant closet when hung on the wall with a few hangers. Also, they create a good spot for hanging those extra guest towels.
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8. Create a cozy guest room in another space. Many of us do not have the luxury of an extra room just for guests. In that case, clear out the clutter from the home office or other space that will be temporarily housing your loved ones. Pull out the convertible, daybed or futon and make it up for them before they arrive.
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9. Supply bathroom products. Toothpaste, an extra razor, a fresh bar of soap at the sink and in the shower, shampoo and conditioner are the basics. Make sure it's not a bunch of yucky, half-used, 10-year-old bottles you swiped from a roadside motel.
by Gast Architects
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10. Don't be stingy with the towels. Leave each guest two towels and a washcloth. A niche like this is a perfect spot to keep them handy. You may want to add a freestanding towel rack if you don't have enough towel bars in the bathroom for all of your guests. You can also mount a towel bar on the back of the guest room door.
Tip for simplifying guest linens/supplies: Keep a shelf or two in the linen closet exclusively for guest sheets, towels and bath items. If you stick with plain white for everything you won't be trying to find that missing pillowcase or washcloth at the last minute.
Tip for simplifying guest linens/supplies: Keep a shelf or two in the linen closet exclusively for guest sheets, towels and bath items. If you stick with plain white for everything you won't be trying to find that missing pillowcase or washcloth at the last minute.
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This warming towel rack from Restoration Hardware is the ultimate luxury item for guest towels.
Next: How to Be a Good Guest
Next: How to Be a Good Guest
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6 ways to be a good guest. Let's flip it around for a moment. If someone is hosting you, make sure you'll be welcomed back.
1. Don't go empty handed. Good guests come with a hostess gift. It needn't be expensive or elaborate; a pie or coffeecake to help the hostess, flowers, a pretty soap, candle, bottle of bubbly; it's the thought that counts.
2. Pitch in. Ask if the hosts need help with shopping, cooking, watching their kids, taking Fido for a walk, picking up before a big dinner, doing the dishes — you get the idea.
1. Don't go empty handed. Good guests come with a hostess gift. It needn't be expensive or elaborate; a pie or coffeecake to help the hostess, flowers, a pretty soap, candle, bottle of bubbly; it's the thought that counts.
2. Pitch in. Ask if the hosts need help with shopping, cooking, watching their kids, taking Fido for a walk, picking up before a big dinner, doing the dishes — you get the idea.
by Jeanne Finnerty
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3. Give your hosts a break. Everyone will need a little quiet time during this hectic time of year. Entertain yourself for at least an hour a day so that they can power nap, have a bath, catch up on that issue of People or catch their favorite reality show on Bravo.
4. Pick up the check. If you go out to dinner, pay the bill to show your thanks.
5. Clean Up. Keep your room and bathroom neat. On the day you leave, strip your beds and put your sheets and towels on the washing machine. Leave the bedroom and bathroom neat and tidy.
4. Pick up the check. If you go out to dinner, pay the bill to show your thanks.
5. Clean Up. Keep your room and bathroom neat. On the day you leave, strip your beds and put your sheets and towels on the washing machine. Leave the bedroom and bathroom neat and tidy.
by Meredith Heron
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6. Send a thank you note as soon as you get home. Better yet, buy a card at the airport and write it while you're on the plane.
I'll get you started: Buy a postcard of your hosts' home city and start with had a great time, wish we were still here.
More: Creating the Perfect Guest Room
11 Ways to Create a Multipurpose Office Space
Be Our Guest(s): Twin Bed Guest Rooms
I'll get you started: Buy a postcard of your hosts' home city and start with had a great time, wish we were still here.
More: Creating the Perfect Guest Room
11 Ways to Create a Multipurpose Office Space
Be Our Guest(s): Twin Bed Guest Rooms
Ideabook updated on Nov. 14, 2011.
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Melissa
I recently set up a dedicated guest room in my house (finally!) and splurged on a little iPod player / clock / radio. The dock is also a charger, and the whole unit is portable, for poolside or picnic outings. I installed my old iPod loaded up with music. I've even made custom playlists for particular guests, under their names.
www.southern-interiors.com
Squinlan, they do not need to be invited back. Or you need to drag them on "Monsters-in-Law" on A&E!