Make Your Guests Feel at Home for The Holidays With These Personal Touches

The holiday season is among us, meaning there'll be parties to host and guests to toast, so  we want our homesto be ready for the festivities! If you’re lucky enough to have a guest room, there are some creative ways to make visitors feel special and welcome. 

Here are some tips on how to transform your guest room into a cozy retreat:

Start with a Clean Slate

Begin by thoroughly cleaning the guest room. Ensure the space is dust-free, the windows are clean, and the floor is free of debris. Fresh, clean surroundings, and a beautiful fragrance set the stage for a comfortable stay. 

Cozy Decor

Decorate the room in a festive, yet not overwhelming, manner. Gentle holiday decorations can add a cozy, seasonal touch without overdoing it. If you want to take it one step further, repaint the guest room with a new color; it’s a great space to experiment! 

An accent wall is a fast, easy project that has maximum impact.Combine wallpaper with a coordinating color or create a calming respite with the refreshing yet serene C2 Thermal (our 2024 Color of the Year!) or C2 Halifax.

Learn from a paint pro on how to paint an accent wall here!

Comfort is Key

Invest in quality bedding. Soft, luxurious sheets, a warm duvet, and an assortment of pillows can make a huge difference. Consider adding an extra blanket or throw for chilly nights. Make sure the room's temperature is comfortable. If the room tends to be cooler, consider providing a space heater or extra blankets. If it's typically warm, a fan might be appreciated.

Thoughtful Amenities

• A handwritten welcome note 
• Basket of snacks and water. Consider including a small kettle with tea, coffee, and hot chocolate options.
• Set of towels (Make sure they are fluffy, clean, and smell yummy). Provide an entire set – washcloth, hand towel, and bath towel. 
• A bedside lamp, alarm clock, and a selection of books or magazines. 
• Don’t forget to provide the WiFi password (your welcome note is a great spot)! 
• Toiletry Basket: Prepare a basket of "essentials" to welcome your guests and provide backup in case they forget any toiletries. Include things like makeup wipes, dry shampoo, lotion, a sleep mask, toothpaste, a toothbrush, hair bands, a razor, and whatever else strikes your fancy. 
  • Put your collection of hotel-sized goodies to good use; they are the perfect additions to the basket (if you can bear to part with them!).
• Fresh Flowers: They smell beautiful, emit oxygen, and bring any room to life. If your guest has a favorite color or type of flower, this extra touch is a winner. Keep it simple by clipping greens from your yard and putting them in your favorite vase.
• A “Do Not Disturb” sign they can hang if needed.

Personalize

If your guest is aclose friend, you can include their favorite bottle of wine, a personal playlist, favorite snack,slippers and robe,or prepare a homemade meal. Go the extra mile and frame a photo of the two of you (or the group) and place it on the nightstand. 

Storage Space

Clear some closet space or drawers for your guests to unpack. Providing hangers, a luggage rack, and a space to store their belongings will help them settle in comfortably. A luggage fold-away stand gives them a place other than he floor to store their suitcase.

Actual Space

This one is often overlooked. Your guests likely have had a long day or need to catch up on emails. Allowing them some alone time is a real gift. For time-starved people, it can feel like a vacation to have some "me time"!

Creating a welcoming guest room is all about considering the little things that can make a big difference. By following these tips, you can ensure your guests feel not just accommodated but truly special and valued during their holiday visit. Knowing that someone has taken the time to prepare for your arrival is the best way to show your appreciation for their effort. If you are the guest, send a handwritten thank you note. In today's digital world, they have a profound impact.

What do you do to make your guests feel welcome?