Preparing for Overnight Guests
My parents came to stay with the kids and I for a week, while my husband was traveling overseas on business. I really wanted them to feel welcome and comfortable while they stayed with us.
As with any company (but especially my parents), I want the bathroom to be sparkling clean. So in preparation, I cleaned out everything under the sink in the bathroom they were going to use.
That’s when I realized I had so many duplicates of supplies.
I had my kids pick out their two favorite toothbrushes, and we had this many left!
After I weeded out miscellaneous items, I restocked with plenty of towels and toilet paper.
This particular bathroom had no perfect place to hang a hand towel, because of the giant mirror, and…
outlet and switches. I’ve tried several different products and stands for holding a hand towel to dry hands on, but nothing worked great.
Then I found this water resistant Command hook, and used it directly on the mirror.
So far this has been our best solution.
I used my favorite simple tub and shower scrubber to get the tub and shower gleaming.
If you have the space, it’s helpful to clear a shelf or drawer, and a space in the closet with spare hangers, for your guests to store some of their belongings. A mirror for putting on makeup and doing hair is considerate as well, if the bathroom will be a busy place.
Some visitors appreciate a nightlight in case they need to get up during the night.
A box of tissues and some favorite snacks is a thoughtful touch.
A bedside light and an alarm clock is convenient and useful as well.
An extra blanket and a couple of extra pillows are a nice consideration.
I like to add some magazines or reading material with my guest’s interests, a tv listing guide, and some fresh flowers or a potted flower.
My parents and I had a wonderful time, and they said they felt comfortable and welcome.
I hope this gives you some ideas to make your guests feel cared for and relaxed.
Thank you for listing a box of tissues! We use tissues a lot, and have started taking a box with us when we travel, because people forget that one little convenience. I agree with you about making guests feel comfortable. We were told once by cousins visiting, that we gave them everything but a Bible in the bedside drawer. We now make sure a Bible is on the bedside table!! 🙂
Thanks for the tips!
These are some great tips! Would love it if you linked up on my blog hop http://www.w-t-fab.com/search/label/bloghop. Also let me know if you’d like to follow each other!
Found you via WTFab. When both sets of our parents come to visit they stay in my son’s room. We do the same as you and clear out space in the closet, the dresser and in a cabinet in the bathroom for them. I like your idea of tissues in the bedroom -will be doing that in 3 weeks when our guests arrive. 🙂
This is such a great post! With the Holidays fast approaching and many guest coming to town, this is PERFECT! Thanks for sharing this and linking up to our Strut Your Stuff Saturday! -The Six Sisters
Great ideas, we travel to visit our six kids and this is great advice. My children and grand children also come home to visit. I try and make the downstairs clean and comfortable. I have a crib, bunk beds dozens of towels plenty of sheets, blankets and pillows.
But my motto is–if you don’t like it, there is a Marriott down the street! Nobody to date has went to the Marriott! But it’s good to have options.
How lovely! Your parents are blessed with a very thoughtful daughter! Thank you for the tips! -Marci @ Stone Cottage Adventures
Love these ideas. That basket to hold the towels is a smart idea! I’m sure they appreciated all of the effort that went into preparing for their arrival.
Stopping by from Works for Me Wednesdays
http://www.domesticblissdiaries.com
Thanks for linking up! Hope to see some of your great ideas again this week on ‘Or so she says …’ http://www.oneshetwoshe.com
thank you!
what a sweet guest room!
This will come in handy over the next few weeks, thanks for sharing! And thanks for linking up at DIY Thrifty Thursday, you’ve been featured! Stop by later today and grab an “I was featured” button and share some of your other amazing projects!
Michelle @ http://www.thrifty101.blogspot.com
I wouldn’t have thought about a few of these things, thank you! I think I’ll have to create a new board to pin this to!
A very nice post with great pictures. My grandma is coming to visit me next week.
Great ideas! (Paydays are my favorite!!!) XO, Aimee
Wonderful! As missionaries we were in others homes many times traveling and cleanliness was everything to me! As a pastors wife I hosted other ministers and missionaries in my home and, like you, went out of my way to make sure my guests were comfortable and the house was spotless. I did like you, with the tissues, and a gift basket, any little extras I could think of to make it welcoming. But to me, as long as it was clean, I was happy! I could bring everything else 🙂