Guest Bedroom Essentials

For most people, their guest bedroom is an afterthought. It’s a space that only gets used occasionally, or does double duty as a home gym or office. As long as there’s a bed somewhere with a clean set of sheets on top, people assume the guest bedroom is ready for anyone to stay overnight. Whether guests actually sleep well though, is a toss-up.

It makes perfect sense that you invest more in making your own bedroom a sleep sanctuary than you do your guest bedroom. But that doesn’t mean you can neglect the space where your guests stay the night. You don’t just want to offer them accommodations – you want them to feel comfortable and well-rested. With the holidays right around the corner and guests likely on the way, now is the best time to stock up on these guest bedroom essentials:

• Extras of Everything – No one likes to have to ask for something simple they need. When you know guests are on the way, put extra towels, blankets, and pillows in the room they’re sleeping in. Everyone has different preferences, and it’s easier for all if you offer up more than anyone could possibly need. You don’t necessarily need to offer ultra-premium products, but resist the urge to use threadbare linens in your guest bedroom. If you wouldn’t use them, don’t force them on your guests.
• A Trash Can – When you’re traveling, your pockets have a way of filling up with receipts and other refuse. Put a small wastebasket in the guest bedroom so that people have a way to discard their unwanted clutter.
• A Clock – Everyone now has perfect time on their phone, but you still see clocks everywhere. Put one in your guest bedroom, as both a design element and a convenience feature. People appreciate being able to quickly reference the time. Plus, clocks let people avoid reaching for their phone, which is a small but thoughtful gesture that weary travelers tend to appreciate.
• Storage Space – Don’t expect your guests to live out of their suitcases. Give them a space to unpack their things, and make sure there’s a place to hang up clothes. That may mean putting a standalone garment organizer in the room, or it may mean clearing out some of the junk that gets stored in the guest bedroom.
• Storage Hooks – When people travel for the holidays they tend to dress in layers. That means when they arrive, they need a place to hang coats, scarves, hats, and purses, along with anything else in their luggage. The easy solution is to hang hooks over the door of the guest bedroom or the closet inside. Your guests may never use them, but they will always appreciate having them.
• Comfortable Chair – A great guest bedroom is more than just a place to sleep. It’s also a place for guests to relax and have some time on their own. If the space allows, include a comfortable chair in the guest bedroom. It helps the space feel more complete and convenient.
• Iron and Accessories – Travelers often arrive with formal wear, especially around the holidays when there are a lot of occasions to dress up. Make it easy for them to get ready by putting an iron and ironing board in the room. If space is limited, use an ironing board that can fold down from the back of a door or one that can sit on top of the bed.
• Facial Tissues – This is the season of sniffly noses, and there are few things more annoying than needing a tissue but not having one. Always keep a box of tissues in the guest bedroom, and include an extra one with the extra linens.
• Full-Length Mirror – Lots of guest bedroom have a mirror, but it typically cuts people off at the shoulders or waist. Allow people to check their look from head to toe by putting a full-length mirror somewhere in the space. If you don’t already have a full-length mirror in your bedroom, you will appreciate having one somewhere in your home.
• Grooming Essentials – It’s hard to travel with all your grooming essentials and also easy to forget something at home. Provide guests with the basics – soap, shampoo, lotion, toothpaste, etc – as well as a hairdryer.
• Quality Mattress – The guest bedroom tends to be the dumping ground for an unwanted mattress. Instead of forcing your guests to make do with an old, uncomfortable, worn out mattress (especially for multiple nights), get something that actually supports their sleep. High-quality mattresses have become very affordable, and there are options that can help anyone, regardless of sleep style, rest easy. Plus, you may end up sleeping on your own guest bed sometime – for a nap or during a bedroom renovation – in which case you will appreciate having a decent mattress to lie on.

Prepare for the Holidays With Sit ‘n Sleep

Put yourself in your guests’ shoes and go spend some time in your guest bedroom. Now decide what’s missing and what you wished you had if you were a guest. Spend plenty of time evaluating the mattress because, in the end, it’s the centerpiece of the whole space. If the mattress feels adequate at best, consider an upgrade before your guests arrive for the holiday season. After all, your guests are a lot more likely to feel cheerful and festive if they get plenty of sleep. Sit ‘n Sleep has all the guest bedroom essentials you need, and with 38 locations across Southern California, there’s a superstore near you. Discover how much we have to offer by exploring our website, or call us at 800-908-0354 with all of your questions.