Welcome to your world
The holiday season often means long-lost family and friends arrive for a visit. Pattie Pegler has the lowdown on getting your home guest-ready.
Getting ready for house guests can be seriously stressful. But pretending you live in a showhome is unrealistic and your guests probably won’t feel welcome if you’re elbow deep cleaning the oven when they arrive.
So how do you get guest ready and keep your cool?
Clear the clutter
Well, start by getting organised. ‘‘I would make a plan, write a list of what you have to do and tick it off as you go along,’’ says Jayne Morgan, Christchurch-based interior designer and founder of The Finishing Touches.
How long the prepping will take depends on the starting point. If your guest room has become a storage space and you have to drive to the shops to buy fresh flowers, set aside a day. But assuming you have all you need and are ready to get started, it can take just a couple of hours to get the room set up and make the place guest ready, says Morgan.
The first step is to tidy, so clear that kitchen counter; get the paperwork off the dining table and throw all the kids’ toys in a box. Pay particular attention to the entranceway – people don’t want to be greeted by discarded sports bags and umbrellas.
‘‘When people see clutter they can’t see past it,’’ says Morgan. ‘‘Look at what you’ve got in a room and if you don’t use it, put it away in the garage or wardrobe. It creates space instantly and makes it easier to clean.’’
How deep you go with cleaning depends on your base level and how much time you have available. But be practical – guests are unlikely to look under your bed for dust, or inspect the top of your kitchen cabinets.
Vacuuming and dusting are the bare essentials. Wipe surfaces and make sure any guest bathroom or toilet is clean and, if possible, shut it off to the rest of the family.
If you have time, wipe down the front door, the front of your kitchen units, light switches and other areas that can get grimy from day-to-day use.
Don’t forget fresh air. Most of our homes have some smells, whether it’s pets, cooking, the garbage or damp towels in the bathroom. And guest bedrooms can even take on a slightly stale smell if not frequently used.
Morgan advises opening windows, airing the house and using subtle aromas like fresh flowers or scented candles to freshen the space. Resist any urge to spray air freshener around – it’s overpowering and doesn’t give the message you might think.
The guest bedroom
A key area, of course, is the space your guests will be sleeping in. Wellington-based interior designer Roz Scott has seen people use playrooms, home offices and even nooks as guest bedrooms.
But whatever the space, it’s all about the bed. Make it look inviting by ‘‘padding it out’’, says Scott. If you don’t have a mattress topper, try using a duvet inner under the fitted sheet and, on top, opt for a quilt one size larger than the bed, so you get a nice hang down the side of the bed, she advises.
For the bedding, white linen is always fresh and timeless, and throws and cushions help create a cosy and welcoming look. ‘‘Feather pillows sit better and look more luxurious,’’ says Scott. ‘‘And you can add a pop of colour with cushions.’’
Make sure the room itself is practical. That means a side table and reading lamp so guests don’t have to get out of bed to turn the light off at night and an easily accessible wall plug to charge phones and other devices. Somewhere to put their suitcase is always handy, too.
If guests have their own bathroom, make sure you pop fresh towels and some basic toiletries in there – a body wash, shampoo, toothpaste and hand cream. If they’re sharing a bathroom with your family, then perhaps put their toiletries in a small basket, or some pretty container on their bed.
The final touches
If you have time, little extras could include things like fresh flowers in the entrance hall, reading material by the bed, a glass decanter of water with a couple of tumblers in the bedroom. You might want to draw the line at some of the more extreme online suggestions – not many of us have time to prepare a full information pack on the local area for our guests.
Morgan advises giving guests a quick tour of the house when they arrive. ‘‘Show them where everything is, give them an overview so they feel comfortable in your home,’’ she says. This can include things like where they can hang their clothes, where the tea and coffee is and how the toaster works.
Ultimately, having house guests shouldn’t be stressful. It should be enjoyable. A clean, tidy home, a comfortable bedroom and a warm welcome should all make for a happy stay – for you and for them.
For the bedding, white linen is always fresh and timeless, and throws and cushions help create a cosy and welcoming look.