Being a guest in someone else’s house can help you figure out what you want to include in your own guest space, be it a spare bedroom with an en suite bath or a sleeper sofa in the basement. Think about the last time you visited friends over a long weekend or stayed with relatives…
With this in mind, we’ve come up with a definitive list of essentials for a welcoming guest room, omitting superfluous items such as fresh flowers and a matching robe and slipper set. (But who are we to stop you if you’re an above-and-beyond type of person?)
Bedroom Must-Haves
Furniture
First things first, you need a comfortable bed or, if you’re working with a small space, a convertible sofa bed. Start with a sturdy bed frame — preferably something with a headboard, but go with what your budget allows — and a plush mattress. In my own guest room, I paired an inexpensive ZINUS Abel platform bed frame with an upholstered headboard that I attached to the wall for stability. I topped it off with a Kin by Tuft & Needle mattress that rakes in compliments from overnight guests.
Consider adding a pair of nightstands or end tables so your guests can keep their phones, reading materials, or water glasses nearby. A small table lamp is often appreciated and can help visitors find their way to the bathroom in the middle of the night. Another necessity is storage space, whether you reserve a few drawers in a dresser or a portion of a closet for your guests’ clothes. A luggage rack is a nice-to-have item, too, as it keeps suitcases off the ground and easily accessible. Finally, installing a full-length mirror or, at the very least, offering a tabletop makeup mirror is a must for any guest bedroom.
Linens
Dress the bed with seasonally appropriate bedding. If you’re entertaining during warmer weather, that could mean a breathable sheet set and a light blanket or quilt. During the colder months, consider a duvet insert or comforter and a warm and cozy sheet set. It’s always a good idea to give your guests options by leaving out extra linens that vary in weight and warmth.
Don’t skimp on pillows — there’s nothing worse than sleeping on a single, well-worn pillow with mystery stains and stray feathers. I have two sets of these Beckham Hotel Collection bed pillows in my guest bedroom and love how well they hold their shape. They’re also fairly easy to clean.
Miscellaneous Items
Provide your guests with the WiFi password without them having to nag you for it. Etsy touts hundreds of customizable signs, but you could just as easily download a free printable, add your network name and password, print it out, and pop it in a thrifted frame. A wireless charging station is another useful item to have on hand, as they are compatible with a variety of devices.
Many people struggle to get a good night’s sleep when they’re away from home, but you can help your guests drift off by outfitting your space with a water carafe and cup, portable fan, sound machine, facial tissues, and blackout curtains. Don’t forget to leave some spare clothes hangers in the closet or on a hook, and consider a portable garment steamer to avoid lugging out an ironing board at your guest’s request.
Bathroom Basics
In a perfect world, we would all have a spare bathroom for our guests’ exclusive use, complete with a hair dryer in an embroidered bag and travel-size versions of their favorite toiletries. Unfortunately, that’s not always possible, but there are tweaks you can make to a shared bathroom to make it more welcoming for guests.
Provide a set of towels for each guest, including a bath towel, hand towel, and wash cloth. As a person who wears makeup, I love to see a black washcloth that I can use to remove my foundation and mascara without the fear of staining. A basket containing basic toiletries such as shampoo, conditioner, body wash, toothbrushes, toothpaste, and floss is yet another welcoming touch. Bonus points if you display cotton swabs, cotton rounds, and hand soap in coordinating containers.
Avoid causing your guests any bathroom embarrassment by supplying extra toilet paper, a plunger, toilet brush, covered wastebasket, feminine hygiene products, and air freshener or toilet spray. If your toilet or shower has any weird quirks (“Hold the handle down for five seconds; trigger the rain showerhead by turning the knob to the left … ”) be sure to leave a note for your guests.
Host Like a Pro
Hosting overnight guests doesn’t have to be a stressful, budget-busting experience. I start by shopping my house for items I already own, like that spare end table stowed in the basement or the skin care minis I recently received in a subscription box. Your guests will be grateful for your hospitality — they won’t care that your bath towels are mismatched or your gift wrapping supplies are shoved under the bed. Do what you can to make your guests feel at home, but don’t go overboard with unnecessary extras.
