Make Your Guest Room Feel Like a Four-Star Hotel
Entertaining family and friends is almost always a mix of fun and challenge. And if they're staying overnight — or for a few days — one of the biggest challenges can be making them feel comfortable. You don't have to go all out (after all, it is family and friends), but a few extra touches can make your guests feel as though they are enjoying the luxury of a four-star hotel. Here are some tips to consider:
Make the room theirs. Many families simply don't have a spare room that's dedicated exclusively to guests. So your extra bedroom may double as storage space, an office or a hobby workshop. If possible, clear it out. Empty the closet and the drawers. Guests will appreciate seeing "their" room for the first time as if they were checking into a hotel. If this isn't possible, consider setting up a PORTIS or JÄLL clothes rack (for as little as $6.99) so your guests don't feel like they're "living out of a suitcase." Or set up the clothes rack temporarily in your own room, and let the guests have an empty closet.
Make little things count. Small touches can make an overnight stay special. Plan ahead for things your guests might have forgotten. Stock a small basket with extras like toothpaste, a new toothbrush, lotion and soap. Place a box of tissues and a clock in the room. And be sure to provide linens that are comfortable and attractive. Put bright colors and patterns on the bed with inexpensive GÄSPA ($14.99-$29.99) or SOVA sheets ($2.99-$13.99). And even if you don't live in a cold climate, many guests might appreciate having a cozy MYSA comforter on hand. For bath towels, place a full set in the guest room so visitors don't have to wonder which ones they should use. A MOLGER towel stand ($17.99) provides a convenient place for guests to hang towels in their own room.
Give them personal entertainment. Part of the fun of overnight visits is spending time together. But even the closest friends and relatives may want a little time to themselves after catching up. If there's a TV in the guest room, make sure remote controls are in plain sight. Consider adding a radio or CD player in the room, and leave out a few up-to-date copies of magazines your guests might like.
Make any space special. Not every home has a spare room. Sofa beds are a practical and common solution, but many people assume that they're not particularly comfortable. We're determined to correct that assumption. IKEA sofa beds are practical, attractive, affordable and, above all, comfortable. BEDDINGE and other sofa beds offer a choice of mattresses so you can choose the comfort level. And the beds have their own storage units where you can keep the linens neat and out of the way. For small spaces or single visitors, IKEA PS LÖVÅS or LYCKSELE LÖVÅS chair-beds sleep one guest comfortably. IKEA linens can add color and style to sofa and chair beds just as well as regular beds, and you can still leave a "guest basket" with extra toiletries under the bathroom sink.
Whether you offer your guests a completely separate suite or they sleep in the living room, you can give them a four-star experience that will keep them coming back.