Have you ever been an overnight guest in someone’s home and felt super awkward asking for things like towels, wi-fi password, or just a glass of water? I have. I have a vivid memory of a night 13 years ago. I was a brand new teenager and on my very first out-of-state youth trip. A group of us girls were staying with a couple from the local church. It was a beautiful home and the hosting couple was very generous. I remember waking up in the middle of the night so thirsty I thought my brain had turned to sand. I got up and tried my best to quietly make it to the kitchen in the dark. I stepped on 2 people and finally hit the loudest, creakiest floorboard and I was sure I had woken the whole house. I turned around and ran back to my sleeping bag and threw the blankets over my head and tried to go back to sleep thinking I’d surely succumb to dehydration. Since that night, I’ve never gone to sleep without a bottle, or glass, of water at my bedside.
When my husband and I moved into our home, one of the things I was most excited about was having a guest room! I started researching and brainstorming on how I could make our guests feel loved, and well taken care of. I’m going to share with you some of the things I’ve included in our guest room to make guests feel more welcome and less awkward when they stay over.
One of my favorite pieces of furniture is my Ikea cart. Oh my, I need like 20 of these! My husband cringes every time I talk about purchasing another one because he hates putting them together. But I love the one I’ve parked in our guest room. It has three shelves.
Top shelf items:
– Frame with Wi-Fi network and Password. Trust me, this will be appreciated more than you think.
– Notepad and pen. You could even jot down local emergency numbers on the top sheet.
– Vase with silk flowers. (Some articles scream fresh flowers are the way to go, but the nurse in me says avoid accidental allergy flare ups and go silk.)
– Bottle of lotion.
– Small fan/heater depending on the season.
– Notepad and pen. You could even jot down local emergency numbers on the top sheet.
– Vase with silk flowers. (Some articles scream fresh flowers are the way to go, but the nurse in me says avoid accidental allergy flare ups and go silk.)
– Bottle of lotion.
– Small fan/heater depending on the season.
-Bottled water. See above story.
Middle shelf items:
On this shelf I placed a woven basket with travel sized things like soap, shampoo, toothbrush, toothpaste, mouthwash, deodorant, make up remover wipes, feminine products, a few OTC medications, and phone chargers.
Bottom shelf items:
This is where I’ve rolled up several large clean towels and wash cloths. I like to tuck a fresh dryer sheet under the towels to keep everything smelling fresh.
This guest cart has been a huge hit with our guests and has saved a lot of guests from having to drive to Wal-Mart after a long road trip.
Below, I will discuss some ways to make any stay comfortable and convenient for your guests.
- Have a map for out-of-town guests. I suggest going to a touristy spot in your city and gathering some brochures and pamphlets for different attractions and activities.
- Have an extra blanket or two ready just in case it gets chilly. Maybe have an extra pillow in the closet ready to go if needed.
- I have a small travel sized shoeshine kit available for emergencies. Most travelers don’t think to pack something like that.
- Have air freshener or fabric freshener available for guests to freshen their room.
- Be sure to have an easily spotted waste basket for trash.
- Reading material is a nice extra touch. A few classic books, a newspaper, or even a local city magazine would be appreciated.
- Have a snack basket prepared ahead of time with granola bars, fruit snacks, nuts, and jerky. Or, contact your guests before they arrive and ask what their favorite snacks are and have those available.
We love having a place to offer to out-of-town guests. A home can feel so much better than a hotel after a long journey! Hopefully this post will offer some inspiration and help to you as you prepare for those who will be staying in your home.
Paige
reclaiminghergrace.com 