Comforts the guests will welcome
Fresh-cut f lowers. A clothing rack. Chocolate. In the race to get ready for the holidays, it’s easy to forget that it doesn’t take much to make overnight guests feel welcome. Recognizing that a dedicated guest room is a luxury, we invited several Los Angeles interior designers to offer pointers on how to make your overnight guests feel welcome — even if you don’t have a guest room.
Martyn Lawrence Bullard
Instant bed: It is always important to make your guests feel welcomed, even if you don’t have a designated guest room for them to use. Instead of the sofa, buy a plug-in, blow-up mattress. There are many good models that are easy to find online. This way, you make your guests feel more at home, and it frees up the sofa for sitting.
Toiletries: Keep a wash bag for your guests filled with private supplies like a new toothbrush, travel-size toothpaste and mouthwash, and if you’re lucky enough to stay in a nice hotel recently, add the hotel swag too, including the mini shampoo, conditioner, shower gel, body lotion, guest soap, and even the guest slippers.
Water: Leaving two bottles of water bedside, one flat and one sparkling, is a must. Make sure you leave out a selection of healthy snacks for those late night jet-lag feasts, and add a small bar of chocolate for the ultimate treat.
Bedding: Keep a freshly laundered set of sheets for your guests to use, and two pillows, one feather and one synthetic, in case your guests have allergies.
Coffee buzz: Last but not least, make sure your guests know where the coffee machine and all its required amenities are, so in the morning they can get their caffeine fix without waking you up to serve them.
Cortney Novogratz
Sleeper sofa: Believe it or not, futons and sleeper sofas have come a long way. We have several designs and we use them in a couple of rooms in our homes. Our Brittany Sleeper Sofa is our new favorite; it's small enough that it's not obtrusive when it's acting as a sofa, and it opens up to be a twin bed for your guest.
Literature: Reading material is a must. Stop and think about who your guest is and what they enjoy — if it's my mother-inlaw, I'll throw a few shelter magazines on the side table.
Flowers: Don't forget fresh-cut flowers. Something as simple as greenery from your yard can make your guest feel special.
Justina Blakeney
Load up on towels: Most people don't think to pack a towel as they're used to being provided one. Make sure there are plenty of clean towels available for your guests to use, and make it clear which ones they can feel free to use.
Locals only: When someone is visiting from out of town and not familiar with your area, it's really helpful to have a collection of books, magazines and maps in your area. This gives them the freedom to explore on their own, instead of looking to you as a personal tour guide.
Joy Cho
Clothing rack: When you’re preparing for guests, make them feel at home (or feel like they are at a very hip boutique hotel) by keeping a small clothes rack nearby. They’ll feel more comfortable when they don’t have to live out of a suitcase and can unpack during their stay. Also, a tray with some comforting items like tea and a small treat welcomes with a smile.
Temp nightstand: If you’re short on space and need to turn a couch or lounge area into a temporary guest room, a side table or small bench can serve as a temporary nightstand for an evening cup of tea and a place for personal belongings come bedtime.
Kishani Perera
Double duty I like to use pieces that serve multiple functions. For example, my former home office served as a guest bedroom as required — my sofa was a sleeper sofa, and many of my decorative storage pieces (trunks, ottomans, bookcases) doubled as areas to house extra bedding and pillows and toiletries for my guests. Since space comes at such a premium these days, not many people can afford to underutilize even an inch of their homes for the occasional guest. Whether a home office, or even a living room, investing in pieces that can double as a bed, dresser, linen closet, is key.
Meridith Baer Home
Create luxury: Turn your sofa into a cozy bed for guests by making it up with freshly laundered sheets, down comforters and soft feather pillows. Go the extra step to make guests feel as if they're staying at a five-star resort by placing a chocolate on their pillow before bed. Additionally, outfit your guests with silk sleep masks to make sure they are able to get an excellent night's sleep.
Wardrobe help If your guest room boasts some spare closet space, provide your travelers with clothes hangers to use during their stay. An inexpensive, compact handheld steamer is also incredibly handy for guests whose clothes have gotten wrinkled in transit.
Create a tranquil mood: Traveling is often stressful, so ensure that when your guests arrive they feel as if they can immediately relax. Keep bottled sparkling and flat water on hand to refresh tired travelers, and create a calming aesthetic by lighting a scented candle and playing soft background music.
Kathryn Ireland
Dimmers: Lamps on dimmers are a must, always have one left on low to avoid any accidents in the night.
Lavender: Leave a lavender sachet on the guest’s pillow or by their bed. Better yet, fresh flowers. They instantly freshen up the guest’s space.