Guest Room Preparation Check List

Ok, so you have a ton of family coming in to town and you are running around like crazy trying to get the house in order before they arrive. It can be really stressful when you have to make sure the guest rooms are all ready for them to arrive, and even more stressful when you are worried you will have everything they need and that they will be comfortable! I have always been a lover of all things hostess so today I am sharing my Guest Room Preparation Check List with you, and I hope it will bring you some relief as you prepare for your guests to arrive.

• Dust, vacuum (a new trick I learned from a friend (collectivelycasey.com) is to add lavender, lemon, or peppermint essential oils to baking soda and sprinkle it on the carpet before you vacuum! It will leave the whole room smelling fresh and clean)

• Clean the windows, clean out the closet and make sure there are hangers in there for your guest to use.

• Deep clean the bathroom! There is nothing worse then using a guest bathroom that is covered in dust, or has hair on the floor! I always wash the bath mats, put extra rolls of toilet paper, fresh towels on the counter, and a candle to light right before they arrive. (Pro Tip* Put a toilet plunger and toilet cleaning supplies under the sink incase the guest wants to be discrete and avoid embarrassment for any reason!)

• I also like to stock the bathroom up with necessities that guests are bond to forget at some point. I promise you, it never fails, no matter how prepared I think I am for guests… they always ask for something I don’t have! I will put a cute basket on the counter and fill it with extra toothpaste, toothbrushes, deodorant, lotion, soap, Q-tips, and bandaids. In the shower I always make sure there is shampoo, conditioner, and body wash too.

• One other tip that is great for female guests is to put feminine products and a hair dryer under the sink!

• Wash the bedding and make sure there are no stains! I like to wash my bedding for guest rooms with THIS detergent! It is a tip I learned from (thesweetestthingblog.com), and it smells luxurious!

• Add extra padding for comfort, I usually add an extra blanket or two underneath the fitted sheet! Always leave an extra throw blanket or two in case your guest gets chilly, and then I always make sure to decorate the guest bed with decorative pillows so it has a welcoming “your-the-guest” feel to it.

• In addition to the bedding, I like to leave some sort of treat on the bed for the guest to have when they arrive. I will leave their favorite treats…Doritos for my brother..popcorn for my sister…or chocolate since, you know, everyone loves chocolate!

• I like to make sure that my guests have all the comforts of home so in each of our guest rooms you will find a TV hooked up to cable, a mirror (I try to get a full length in there), a comfy chair, a lamp for the evenings, a desk if it fits in the room, and bottled water!

• My final touch will be to open the windows, turn on a fan, and light a candle right before they arrive so there is an essence of expectancy. I truly like to make my guests feel welcome, comfortable, at home, and special. Even if it is my own Dad or sister visiting!

Pro Tips*

• Ask your guests ahead of time if there is anything you can have stocked up and ready for them.

• Always plan ahead and have something to eat in the fridge when they arrive. Chances are they will be hungry.

• I also like to make sure I have easy grab and go snacks for throughout the stay like granola bars, soda, cereal, crackers, bottled water, cookies, and fresh fruit.