How to prepare your guest room

Follow our four steps to give your visitors a comfortable, memorable stay

Give your visitors a comfortable, stylish stay with these easy tips

Prepping a guest room is an art, and at no time of the year is the skill more in demand than at Christmas. Getting it right is partly about anticipating your visitors’ particular needs, but there are plenty of things you can have on hand that will improve any guest’s stay. Here are our top tips

1 Number one, of course, is cosy, stylish bedding. Think natural fibres only, and avoid busy pattern and bright shades, which aren’t restful for everyone. Cloth & Clay’s bedding comes in an understated palette and includes the ‘Hue’ range of reversible linens, so guests can choose their colour preference (from £135 for a double set; clothnclay.com). Add a throw or quilt at the bottom of the bed in case the temperature drops, and extra pillows so that people can prop themselves up to read.

2 On the bedside table should be a reading lamp, a small music system that doubles as an alarm clock, and a water carafe. If your loved ones are of a sensitive disposition, it does no harm to add a silk eye mask, too.

3 A thoughtful host provides luxuries alongside essentials, and sweeps away clutter from surfaces in advance of guests’ arrival – we like Sofa.com’s upholstered storage benches (from £360; sofa.com). A host should also equip their visitors with dressing gowns, slippers and a hot water bottle; a spare phone charger, paracetamol and earplugs will also be gratefully received. They arrange books and magazines (the latest copy of ELLE Decoration, for instance!) within easy reach.

4 Last but not least, ensure that guests have spare storage space to use and create some atmosphere with welcoming scent: think fresh flowers, lavender pillow spray spritzed on the bedlinen and an aromatherapy candle.

For more bedrooms ideas visit elledecoration.co.uk/ inspiration/ bedrooms

Main image Linen double duvet set, £79.99, H&M Home ( hm.com). Cushion by Au Maison (aumaison.dk) – find similar at Made With Love Designs (madewithlovedesigns.co.uk) Right, from top Dressing gown, £99, Toast (toa.st). Towels, from £4, Coze (cozelinen.com). White Lavender Sleep Set, £30, The White Company (thewhitecompany.com). Slippers, £69, Toast (toa.st) Centre, from left ‘B11’ side table by Bord Bord, £230, A Splash of Colour (asplashofcolour.com). Table lamp, £58, Oliver Bonas (oliverbonas.com). ‘Earth’ candle, £38, Elemental Herbology (elementalherbology.com). Carafe set, £51.60, Nude Glass (nudeglass.com). ‘R1 MK3’ digital radio by Ruark Audio, £200, John Lewis ( johnlewis.com)