When guests feel that they’ve been looked after with care, it sets the tone for a harmonious visit. Whether you have the luxury of a guest room, or a space that is somewhere between a home office and a laundry graveyard, there are lots of simple, thoughtful ways to give guests a genuinely warm welcome.
When friends and family are staying for just one night, it’s all about making their room comfortable and convenient – think cosy bedding, chargers by the bed, space for an overnight bag, etc. But if it’s a few days or more, it’s worth putting more effort in because, however close you are, you don’t want to be on top of each other. Create a space where they’re happy to relax, and everyone will be able to enjoy some time to decompress.
If preparing for guests feels daunting, remember that all the effort put into cleaning and decluttering will mean a more serene stay for all. Those who love entertaining might want to invest a little more in their guest facilities, while occasional hosts should keep it simple. Take your pick of these interior designers’ expert tips – just a few thoughtful gestures will go a long way to creating a happy stay for guests and hosts alike.
Test drive the room
Do as the top hoteliers do and scope out any issues by spending a night in your spare room, living out of an overnight bag. This is the best way to identify what needs to be added or changed before guests arrive.
Declutter
If you’re lucky enough to have a spare room, there’s a good chance it’s become a dumping ground, so make time for a strenuous declutter ahead of guests arriving.
“We often hold on to things that no longer serve us, so clear away visual noise, empty the bedside drawers and keep surfaces clear to make intentional space for your guests,” say interior designers Zoë Starreveld and Alex Forbes, of Starreveld Forbes. Lay out holdalls and bin bags designated for rubbish, recycling, the charity shop and “elsewhere in the house”. If you run out of time or space, things can always be relocated to the loft or shed – or, worst-case scenario, just drape a throw over the offending stack of (ideally boxed) clutter.
Clean up
Many of us are grossed out by grime in someone else’s house that we would turn a blind eye to at home. So it’s time to get the whole household on board and blitz the areas your guests will use, in particular the bedroom and bathroom.
Create some character
A vase, jug or even a jam jar of greenery, flowers or berries will bring life to the room – but keep it small so it won’t get in the way. If you’re looking for a steer on the decor itself, interior designer Tanya Selway, of Stelly Selway studio, advises treating “the spare room as a little escape: less guest room, more boutique retreat. Give it personality with layered textures, a few unexpected vintage pieces and something that hints at travel or leisure. It should feel like a place where guests can exhale, with its own, distinct character rather than a pared-back afterthought.”
And so to bed
If you need to buy bed linen, the options are vast, but Piglet in Be, M&S, Dunelm, La Redoute and H&M Home are all good for duvet sets. To create a coherent colour scheme, look for shades that are already in the room, or play it safe by sticking to white. When washing linens for guests, it’s nice to be generous with the fabric softener, even if you don’t normally use it, so that everything smells reassuringly clean.
Make sure your duvet and pillows are up to the job – Soak & Sleep have a wide range, if you need to stock up, and a cosy throw such as Habitat’s velvet bedspread (£50) is a nice touch. Cushions on a bed can feel fussy, but if there isn’t space for a comfy chair in the room, they will allow guests to relax on the bed during the day. Try La Redoute, H&M Home and Dunelm for bargains, while independent brands such as Nkuku and Palava have beautiful, sustainable designs.
Peace and quiet
To give your guests a great night’s sleep, you could add blackout linings to your bedroom curtains. Dunelm’s blackout pencil pleat linings (£12-£40) are easy to attach to existing curtain hooks. If that’s too much faff, provide a sleep mask. Perhaps you have some left over from a flight, or if you need to buy some, opt for silk ones such as Alaska Bear’s twin-strap mask with nose baffle (£15.99 from Amazon).
If neighbourhood noise or early-rising children are likely to be an issue, raid that flight kit again for earplugs, or check out the options at Happy Ears. You could also provide a simple white noise machine, such as the Hushing mini (£19.99). These can be incredibly effective at drowning out intermittent noise.
Good lighting
It’s a crime against hospitality to make guests stumble their way to bed in the dark after turning off the big light. Bedside lamps are essential. These can be appropriated from elsewhere in the house, or look for a bargain. Dunelm have plenty of strong, affordable options, including Hera table lamp (£6), or if you’ve a bigger budget, try the Spool table lamp (£91) from Där Lighting.
Starreveld Forbes suggest a handy portable light such as the Ferm Living Arum (£169), from Earl of East, and advise: “Light the room with intention. Low-level lighting makes a huge difference, so always turn on at least one lamp before guests arrive. It makes the room feel welcoming.”
Chargers on hand
Another bedside essential is access to a plug, while a generously long phone charger cable shows that you’ve thought of everything. If there isn’t a socket on each side of the bed, make sure there’s an extension lead – Amazon and eBay are good for a wide choice of sockets and lengths. Ikea does a great range of multi-USB port chargers, including Småhagel (£6) – pair it with colourful Lillhult and Sittbrunn charger cables (from £1.50) and even a pair of cute little Havskål USB anchors (£3) to stop cables flopping about.
Carafe and glasses
Make sure guests have a glass of water at bedtime or, if you’re staying in for a festive night, place water in the room in advance. A carafe and glasses are a lovely touch too. You can pick up a stylish Nardo olive green set from the Futon Company for (£16) or for something fancier, a Nine Milk carafe set (£40-£49) from twentytwentyone.
Make sure to provide a vanity mirror, ideally placed in good natural light. If you don’t have something suitable, Dunelm’s Elements dressing table mirror (£20) is a fun design. If you can spare a hairdryer too, guests will appreciate it and won’t come knocking on your door when you’re getting dressed.
Neat and tidy
To help everything stay pleasingly in its place, provide a container for cosmetics, and perhaps a pot for makeup brushes too. Any nice little bits of tableware will do this job, and empty candle jars are good too. A trinket tray by the bed is also useful. Oliver Bonas has a great selection, including a set of two Sun Swirl trinket dishes (£14.50). Similarly, a wastepaper bin helps keep things spick and span. Zara Home’s cylindrical metal wastepaper basket (£69.99) is a chic solution.
Keep cosy
It’s horrible when you feel cold in someone else’s house, so make sure to provide throws and blankets in the living room as well as the bedroom. Hot-water bottles are a lovely gesture – zhuzh them up with a stylish cover such as the Forte wool cover (£52) from Toast. A heated throw can be moved around the house and even draped over the bed on cold nights. Dreamland’s are among the best, including a Cosy Up faux fur warming throw (£109.99) in a gorgeous terracotta tone.
Create surfaces
Many a guest bedroom and bathroom fails in this area. Guests need somewhere to unpack their bag or place a washbag. “Aim to set up like a hotel room – include a small side chair, stool or bench to rest a bag on or layer clothes,” say Starreveld Forbes, who recommend the X Collagerie shiny and matte side table (£129.99, Zara Home), and the Rylee nesting bedside table (£399) West Elm. If space is tight, the Futon Company do a great range of small-space furniture, including their Hale narrow bedside table (£40) which is just 24cm wide.
Somewhere for clothes
If you aren’t able to provide wardrobe space, Gemma Tucker, of Balance Interior Design, suggests “adding a clothes rail with wooden hangers – it’s an easy and affordable touch. If there’s enough room, include a small chest of drawers for things like underwear and cosmetics.”
She recommends the elegant black iron clothes rail from Design Vintage (available in three sizes, from £245) . For a more contemporary look, try the compact Turner single clothes rail (£50, Habitat). If space is ultra-tight, a rack of hooks on the back of a door, or on a wall, will do the job. Nordic Nest has a great selection, including the Relief hook rack (£134) used with a set of 10 hangers (£9) from Argos Home.
Scent the room
“Set the mood before your guests arrive by lighting a scented candle. Opt for rich, woody notes in the cooler seasons, and lighter, fresh fig aromas as the weather warms. True Grace offers a great selection,” advises Tucker. A sweet-smelling bathroom is an essential too. Ailsa MacConnell, of Studio Mac, says: “For me, it’s all about creating a beautiful scent, so guests relax and feel comfortable. The Sweet Pea reed diffuser (£33.99) from St Eval, is my absolute go-to, and so many of my friends and family comment on the scent after they’ve stayed a couple of nights.”
Home entertainment
If you have a small television and smart stick, you may want to put them in the guest room to avoid TV clashes. Or perhaps a digital radio or Bluetooth speaker, so guests can entertain themselves in the room. A tailored selection of books from your own shelves is always lovely – perhaps include some short-story compilations.
Antonia Winkler von Stiernhielm, of Studio Anton, likes to add “a slim magazine rack with a few well-chosen titles, because it brings a quiet sense of care and makes the room feel thoughtfully personal”. She suggests a rattan magazine holder (£85, Uru Home), or Stackers garnet magazine rack (£40), available from John Lewis, is another stylish option.
Tea and biscuits
If there’s space, it’s lovely to provide guests with a tea or coffee. Use a tray and include a small kettle, such as the John Lewis Anyday (£20) and perhaps a fancy tin of biscuits. Amazon sells a selection of small, insulated milk bottles.
Boost the bathroom too
Obviously, make sure you provide your best towels. If you need to restock, La Redoute and Dunelm are good go-tos. Give the bathroom a declutter to free up space, provide an empty candle jar or presentable mug as a toothbrush holder, and perhaps create a basket of some of your favourite spa treats to indulge guests.
Winkler von Stiernhielm also suggests “a freshly laundered linen robe on the back of the door, because comfort should feel like it’s been beautifully thought through. I always stick to white sheets and robes, so they feel like a luxury hotel.” The White Company’s long lightweight waffle robe (£65) fits the bill.
After the guests go
Selway has thoughts on this: “Your spare room doesn’t have to wait for visitors to come to life. Add a turntable and records, or a reading nook, so it becomes a place you enjoy too. It should be a little retreat that reflects your interests while still welcoming guests.”
