The guest is king | revamp your sleepover space

You know what they say about guests and fish? Forget about that — only people who don’t prepare properly for houseguests think that saying is true. Those people who make a sorry bed for their friends and family on the tattered, old couch in the living room and call it a day. Don’t be one of those people. Make your guests’ stay pleasant and comfortable, for them and you. Here’s how.

Designate a room

It doesn’t have to be a guest room every day, but your office can double as one whenever people come visit. That way, your guests and you both have your private sphere. Make it as comfortable for them as possible, so they won’t mind spending time there. Get a proper pullout couch or sofa bed— those have really improved, so you have fantastic choices. Or, if you’ve got the space, go for a basic but pretty bed frame with a comfy mattress, and add a nightstand with a cute lamp. Keep a set of bed linens for guests only, and forget those sheets with the coffee stain that won’t come out. Gadgets like cords, chargers or a full charging dock are super useful and something every guest will appreciate. Set them up with all the necessities: towels, enough containers for their toiletries, and space on the shelf under the bathroom mirror to put things. Nice touch: a goodie bag with lotions, a bath bomb or a face mask.

Lights, lights, lights

Maybe your designated guest room is really your library, and maybe it only has that cold overhead light — not the best for bedtime reading. Make sure to put a nice, warm lamp on the nightstand. Speaking of reading: it’s probably wise to stock your guest room with material to leaf through. Coffee table books, travel guides to your city, or a filled magazine rack: you pick.

Decide

If you can designate a space to be a guest room only (lucky you!) make sure you take that decision seriously. Don’t pile things that you don’t need in there. No one wants to sleep next to your bike, stored for the winter. If you must, keep things stowed away out of sight. A wardrobe set with one side emptied out can function as a guest space for clothes, while the other side can be your odds & ends storage. Bonus points if you get one with doors that lock. A desk for people to sit by is also always nice, and some office supplies or accessories for work can come in handy.

Keep it neat & pretty

If your home has enough space for a guest room, make sure not to overlook it when it comes to making it beautiful. Choose a calm, relaxing colour for the walls — something expansive and light, since the guest room is likely smaller than, say, your own bedroom. Wallpaper can be nice, but don’t go too crazy with the pattern. Pastels are a great choice, as are light earth tones. White is not the best option, unless you want to make your guest feel they’ve landed in a hospital and make them leave faster. For a quick, pretty fix, add some greenery in pretty pots, decorative storage, or some cool posters or wall decal.

Creature comforts

Everyone loves visiting people who are great at hosting. The more your guests feel like they are in a hotel, the more they’ll appreciate being invited to stay, and the happier you’ll be with them. Little things go a long way: a scented candle for them to enjoy, a little beverage corner all their own, with a kettle, mugs, and a selection of fine teas… a set of comfy slippers just for them, some board games to play and chocolates on the pillow won’t hurt, either.