With the holidays fast approaching, you are busy getting your home ready for all the parties and guests that will be stopping by. But for those friends and family that will be staying, don’t overlook your guest bedroom.
By Haskell Matheny, ASID, CAPS, LEED GREEN ASSOCIATE
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If ever there is a time when this room is going to be used, the next several weeks is it. Unfortunately, guest bedrooms are often the last rooms to receive any design attention.
You don’t have to break the bank to create a comfortable retreat that makes your guests feel special. Giving your guests the VIP treatment is all about the small, personable touches you place in their “home away from home.” It’s also about making their stay memorable and anticipating their needs, offering them an experience akin to staying in a fine hotel.
1. Give the Bed a Makeover.
A great set of bed coverings and pillows is an excellent place to start. You don’t have to have custom bedding to have a wonderful look. There are lots of readymade sets that look fantastic.
If you’ve neglected the bed linens, now is a terrific time to invest in 400+ thread count sheets. It’s these luxury touches that make your guests feel special.
Add some decorative pillows and an attractive throw at the foot of the bed for a splash of color and some extra warmth and comfort.
2. Update your Furnishings.
Check out your bedside lamps. Are the shades dingy or torn? A new shade can update a lamp’s look. Also, make sure to include a bright new bulb—100 watt equivalent—for reading in bed.
If you have the space, a small table can act as either a desk area for their laptop, or even a small makeup vanity.
If your guest room has wood floors, try adding a new rug that coordinates with your new bedding and color scheme.
To make your guests feel truly at home, consider including a comfortable chair for reading.
If time permits, a new paint color on the walls can complete your room transformation.
3. Make Your Bath a Spa.
Create the feeling of a spa retreat with a loaded tray or basket, complete with a candle, lotions, soaps and beauty products.
Adding a new, plush fleece bath rug and thick new towels will make your guests feel pampered.
Don’t forget the shower: a new massaging shower head is a quick, inexpensive and luxurious upgrade.
A magnifying mirror is a pleasant and detailed amenity for those with older eyes.
A thick plush bathrobe is the final element to complete your guest’s bathing experience.
4. Throw in Some Extras.
Create a memorable personalized gift by filling a basket or tray with items to use during their stay. Give the basket a theme that suits your guests’ interests or that corresponds with a planned activity. Include items like a keepsake ornament, a disposable camera to capture special moments of their visit, or a tin of favorite holiday snacks or cookies.
Nothing is more inviting and gracious than fresh flowers placed in the room for your guests’ arrival along with a note expressing how much you are looking forward to their stay.
As a finishing touch, consider placing a favorite photo of you and your guest as a remembrance of past good times.
Haskell Matheny, ASID, CAPS, LEED GREEN ASSOCIATE is the owner and principal designer of Haskell Interiors, located in historic downtown Cleveland, TN. Visit www. haskellinteriors.com.
