Prepping For Guests ... Volume 2

If you still need to read yesterday's post, start there, as we are diving into prepping for guests to stay in your home.  Yesterday, I discussed the importance of bed linens and towels, lighting, rugs, and luggage racks, and today, we will cover a ton of what I love the most.  The little details are the best part of prepping to have people stay with you.  I treat our house like a hotel and try to make them feel pampered, loved, comfortable, and ready to return for another stay.  We love company, and I want to ensure our guests know how much we love them coming to stay. 💗

One thing I didn't mention yesterday is the importance of seating in your guest room.  I think it is essential to add a chair or two, a chaise, or someplace where your guest can relax if they need some downtime and don't want to sit on their bed. In both of our guest rooms, we have a good chair, and in the primary one, there is an ottoman as well.  I am still searching for one for the second guest room.  We just converted it as it used to be our oldest room. One guest we had regularly was a super early riser and could sit in the guest room with coffee before he came down to be with us.  I think offering them options is essential in case they rise late, early, or just need some extra time on their own.

And speaking of coffee in their room, I added small Keurig machines to both our guest areas.  Amazon Prime Day is a great time to grab one, or even on Black Friday.  I buy the single-serve machine and provide bottled water and creamer that doesn't spoil.  Each room has two cups and two bottles of water ready for them to have coffee in the morning or tea in the evening before bed. Some people use it, and some don't, but it is there either way. I have small trash cans with liners next to the chests they are on for easy disposal of any coffee or tea trash they have. The machine is a stunning dark green in our primary guest room, and the second one is silver. I was hoping for a red one, but we had an extra one, so it works perfectly. 

I leave a few snacks with the coffee machines, ensuring a treat is provided in case they need one to take with them or want to avoid asking me for something.  Most commonly, I leave some Lance crackers, a granola bar, some nuts, a sweet treat, and something made in Georgia. My go-to for Georgia snacks is the famous Henri's, which sells the sweetest little bags of tiny chocolate chip cookies.  They are delish. 

I stock the bathroom with various things they may have left behind.  I just started shopping at Dollar Tree for these gems and have found so many things I would have generally snagged at Target for $1.25 each. I add in toothbrush sets, deodorant, lotion, pain medication, shampoo and conditioner, razors, and a sewing kit.  Nothing is worse than needing a needle and thread and not having one. Dollar Tree is also excellent for brand-name snacks; they carry my favorite Lance crackers in packs of 4. 

Here are some little details I never leave out ... 

Hairdryer and a bag to hold it (this one is on sale for $27)

Candle - my favorite candle, ever

Fresh Flowers - add day of, I always shop at Trader Joes for the best selection and prices

A note of welcome with the WIFI code

Extra pillows and a blanket in the closet - remember you are giving hotel vibes

Books, to read and to take (I have a basket of paperbacks from Goodwill)

Box of tissues

Phone chargers - one on each side of the best in the Queen room, and one for each bed in the Twin room

Extra toilet paper - make sure your guest can grab if needed, same for tissue boxes

Water bottles - I love water at bedtime

Full-length mirror - we have one in each closet on the back of the door

Trash can - both in the bedroom and the bathroom

I hope our guests know how much we love and appreciate their friendship and company.  Most of our guests are family, but friends are family, too, and I want them to feel pampered and loved.  Nathan and I grew up with family visiting and an open-door policy for friends, and our home is the same.  

Guests are always welcome and loved. 💗