When you have a guest spend the night, you want to make sure they feel as at home as possible. You put fresh sheets on the bed, tidy up any clutter, and generally clean the room—but the little extras you keep in your guest room can help or hurt how comfortable visitors feel. To learn how to be the host with the most, we consulted several home experts. Keep reading to learn the five things they say you should always have stocked in your guest room.
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1 | A welcome basket
TanyaJoy / ShutterstockA welcome basket in the guest room not only ensures your visitors have everything they need, but it sets the tone for a comfortable stay.
"Fill a basket with travel-size products—hand lotion, chapstick, cotton swabs, breath mints, hand sanitizer, and even a small book of what’s happening around the town while they visit," suggests Debbe Daley, an interior designer and author.
Artem Kropovinsky, an interior designer and founder of Arsight, recommends including items they may have forgotten, such as a spare toothbrush or even a hairdryer. And he says adding little snacks that they may enjoy is a nice touch, too.
2 | Coffee and water
ShutterstockChantelle Hartman Malarkey, interior designer and hosting aesthetic expert, recommends giving guests the full "hotel experience" by providing water bottles and coffee in the morning. For the latter, a pod-based machine like a Keurig or Nespresso keeps things easy and allows guests to choose options like decaf, extra-strong, or tea.
You can even go so far as to keep a mini fridge in the room for water and other beverages like milk for coffee, suggests Ashley Woodyatt, an interior design specialist and founder of Woodyatt Curtains.
You'll also want to provide a small waste basket to conveniently discard trash like empty water bottles which is "a simple yet essential detail," notes Kropovinsky.
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3 | Extra clean linens
Diana Rui / ShutterstockIf your visitors are staying overnight, they're probably going to take a shower, and "there’s nothing worse than a guest searching for bath towels," says Daley. "Place a set on the end of the bed waiting for guests when they arrive."
Providing a bathrobe is another cozy touch, especially if your guest room doesn't have an en-suite bathroom. "Your guest can utilize the bathrobe when they take showers, use the bathroom at night, or to stay warm," notes Tamara White, an interior decorator and realtor at The Thrifty Apartment.
You'll also want to make sure your guest have extra blankets or throws on their bed. "Your home may have an optimal temperature at which you keep it at night, but your guest's ideal temperature may vary," explains White.
4 | Entertainment and electronics
iStockYour guests are probably going to want to get on your WiFi at some point, so make this easy by keeping a card in the guest room with the name of your network and password, advises Woodyatt. And Daley recommends a phone charging station on the bedside table.
Other items that will keep your guests entertained during their downtime are books, magazines, or newspapers, as well as a notepad and pen so they can leave you a message or record their experience during their stay, Kropovinsky suggests.
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5 | A fully stocked bathroom
Igisheva Maria/ShutterstockMake sure your guest bathroom is fully equipped with all the essentials such as soap, shampoo, conditioner, toothpaste, body lotion, and extra toilet paper, says Kropovinsky.
It can be awkward for visitors to ask you for these items (especially if they realize they're missing too late!), so having them at the ready is essential.
