Make Your Guest Bedrooom a Cozy Getaway

When you are having guests stay overnight, especially in-laws, you want them to be comfortable and relaxed. You do not want your guests' stay to be that unpleasant story your relatives tell their friends every year at Christmas. To be sure your guests enjoy their stay, spend a little extra time making the guest bedroom cozier.

There are several ways to make your guests more comfortable in their stay. The most important thing you can do is be sure the room is painted in soft, light colors and the rug is in good condition. If you have some old worn spots, make sure you cover them with a small area rug.

The Bed
A guest bed is usually the bed you no longer use. Make sure you add a pillow top to the mattress to make it more comfortable for your guests. Because different people have varying sleep habits, make sure you offer some extra blankets, folded at the end of the bed. Add a few throw pillows for those who like extra softness.

Lighting
A reading lamp is a must for any guest bedroom. Put end tables on either side of the bed and place reading lamps there. Be sure to place some various reading materials on the end tables. Include classic poetry, recent best-sellers and art books. Make sure the lamps you buy compliment the room's décor, but offer something interesting for your guests to look at. Get something a little more unusual than you would choose for yourself.

Flowers
Flowers are a wonderful touch to any room. Avoid lilies because the scent can overpower sensitive noses and trigger allergies. Carnations, daisies and other field flowers will freshen the room without overpowering the senses.

Extra Chair
It is helpful to keep an extra armchair in the guest bedroom. Your visitors will use it for many purposes, so keep a small table next to it. They may wish to use their laptop, read, or just have a place to put their clothes out for the next day. This space can be even more useful if you put a mirror up on the nearest wall so your guests can use this as a vanity area.

Closet Space
Making sure your guests have enough closet space is important. Take out any clothes or storage items you have been keeping there. Put up high quality hangers and be sure to keep an iron and ironing board available. Make sure you put two high-quality dense pillows in the closet in case your guests need some added comfort.

As well as closet space, be sure a dresser is available with empty drawers. If the drawers are sticky, coat the sliding parts with soap to make opening them easier. The top of the dresser is an excellent place to put a vase of fresh flowers.

Privacy
Make sure the curtains in the guest bedroom work properly and provide enough privacy. This will ensure your guests feel right at home. You can also create a comfortable setting by putting family photos and children's artwork on the walls.

While all this might seem like a lot of work, it can often make the difference in whether your guests enjoy their stay. Get it wrong, and you may never get a visit from these guests again.