Preparing Your Home for Holiday Guests

If the holidays have always been synonymous with overnight guests in your home, you probably have this thing down to a science. But after that long stretch of quarantining due to covid, you might need a refresher, or perhaps this is your first time hosting guests for the holidays. Whatever the case may be, here are some helpful tips (broken down by room) for preparing your home and making holiday guests feel welcome.

Start with the Entry

The entryway or foyer is the first place your home makes an impression (well, besides your front yard, but that’s a whole other post!) and these few essentials go a long way to not only making guests feel welcome, but also create a sense of well-being every time you come home.

• Create a drop zone with a console table or cabinet where you can easily place keys, sunglasses, and pet leashes.
• Have a place to hang those winter coats and bags whether you use wall hooks or you’re one of the lucky ones with a hall closet.
• Designate a spot for shoe storage with cubbies, a cabinet, or even a spot beneath a bench.
• Provide a spot to sit. If you have the space, this can be the last element that makes your entry feel put together. Even if you’re low on space, opt for a bench with integrated storage to provide an all-in-one spot for a place to sit, a catch-all, and designated shoe storage.

Guest Bedroom

These tips are sure to impress any guest, family or friends, and apply whether your guest room is more of a multi-purpose room (gym, office, library, etc) or a full-time guest room.

• Start with the basics and make sure you have nightstands for the bed (or at least one if one side of the bed is up against a wall). Then, stock those nightstands with the essentials: lighting, books, a dish for jewelry, and even a spot for charging a phone.
• Provide a place to unpack. When staying away from home, nothing feels quite as luxurious as having a bench, ottomans, or chairs at the end of the bed to place a suitcase. It’s also a great place to sit and get ready for the day.
• Provide enough storage with dressers, the aforementioned nightstands, and closet space, if possible.
• When in doubt of what to provide, think of staying at a nice hotel. Those little details like a tray with glasses and a carafe of water, or little snacks and coffee can really make someone feel at home.

Bathrooms

Having a clean bathroom for guests is obvious, but have you thought about making sure you provide a clear, uncluttered surface for guests to have room for their own bathroom essentials? Be sure to provide extra towels, and any shower essentials like body wash or shampoo that someone might have forgotten.

Designer tip: rolling extra towels and placing them in a nook or basket is a great way to create that spa-like feel.

The rest of your home

While you’re cleaning and de-cluttering the rest of the house in preparation for guests, keep these last few tips in mind.

• Provide enough seating. Whether it’s chairs at the dining table or seating in the living room, making sure every guest has a place to sit will instantly put everyone at ease.
• Decorating the home for the holidays doesn’t always have to be Thanksgiving, Christmas, or holiday themed. Simply having a fire going in the fireplace, candles burning, and providing extra pillows, throws, and blankets around the house will make your space feel warm and cozy.
• In keeping with the theme of a hotel or spa-like atmosphere, provide a spot in the kitchen that’s easily accessible for everyone for hot drinks and snacks.