Image: Clair Strong Interior Design
It’s nearly Christmas, which got me thinking about guest rooms and how we can make the most of them, not just during the festive season but year round. They’re often somewhat over-looked spaces, filled with old furniture and clutter from the rest of the house. Which inevitably leads to a panic to make the room habitable before guests arrive, adding more stress to an already busy time of the year.
If you want to create a room that’s guest-ready at any time, follow my tips for creating a welcoming and practical space.
- Declutter and Organise
If you’re guilty of using the guest room as an extension of the garage, attic or cupboard under the stairs, it’s time to grab some bin bags and get your hands dirty.
My process for decluttering is simple; I make three piles, one to keep, one to throw away and one to donate or sell. If something has not been used in over a year, it gets donated. If it’s broken and I still haven’t fixed it, it gets recycled or thrown away. If it’s used often or I absolutely cannot live without it, I find a proper home for it somewhere else in the house.
- Spruce up the Furniture
Take a good look at the furniture in the space and make a mental note of anything that needs repairing, cleaning or throwing away.
If the furniture is good quality, great! Arrange it in a way that makes sense for the space and will make your guests feel comfortable. Is the bedside table actually next to the bed? Is there a chest of drawers or wardrobe for clothes? Where will your guests store their luggage?
If the furniture is looking a bit worse for wear you can give it a new lease of life with a lick of paint and basic DIY skills. It’s a quick and low cost afternoon project that will completely transform the room.
- Accessorise
A few essentials will make your guest’s stay as comfortable as possible. At a minimum I’d suggest providing good quality pillows (and plenty of them), soft bed linens and an extra blanket, a lamp on the bedside table and towels.
Then there are the extra touches that will really impress; a scented candle, a carafe and glass for water, a card with the Wi-Fi password and so on. I like to think of a guest room as better than a hotel with all the comforts of home.
