What Every Guest Room Needs

We hate to mention the "h" word (holidays!) in October, but pretty soon the festive season will be rushing towards us. Before it starts to get crazy now is a good time to get your guest bedroom ready for out-of-town friends and family. Making them feel welcome and pampered will tell them know how special they are to you.

The Sweet Peas Design team – Beth Kweton, senior designer, Lauren Benditzky, associate designer, Jennifer Cioni Tarello, architectural associate and I brainstormed ideas for  "What Every Guest Room Needs."  Have we left anything out? Please share your ideas with us by emailing laurabianchi@comcast.net and we’ll add them to the list!

Fresh flowers

"I always buy some. Their cheerful faces are a friendly hello and they make you feel at home. Just a small bouquet of all the same type of flower is fine- think tulips or sunflowers." Susan

"Makes it feel like a boutique hotel!" Lauren

Photo Courtesy of savorhomeblog.com

On the bed 

Extra blankets, light and heavy. "I’m always cold, so I worry about my guests being warm enough, too." Jennifer Also, high thread count, all-cotton sheets and a selection of pillows from soft to firm.

On the nightstand

"Current magazines, box of soft tissues and a water decanter with a glass." Beth

"I always keep a pad of paper and pen handy for middle-of-the-night brainstorms." Susan

"A good lamp. I need decent light so I can read my stack of magazines." Susan

Photo Courtesy of Sweet Peas Design

Clothes storage

"Clear out some closet and drawer space and provide good solid hangers for skirts, trousers and delicate items." Lauren

A deep basket for guest towels/wash cloths

"I’m a basket maven. Such a pretty way to stay organized." Susan

Photo Courtesy of thewoodgraincottage.com

Candles

"They give the room a soothing, spa-like feeling - very  zen!" Beth

Photo Courtesy of lushome.com

A full-length mirror

"Who doesn’t want to check their outfit?" Susan

Photo Courtesy of next.uk.co

Foot warmer

"If the bedroom has wood floors, think about placing a rug beside the bed so your guest’s bare feet will have a soft landing." Jennifer

Photo courtesy of pixel.brit.co

Chocolates on the pillow

"Of course." Susan, Lauren, Beth

In the guest bathroom

A variety of travel-sized toiletries. "It makes the room feel like a luxury hotel, and very handy if your guest forgets something. Lotion, shampoo, soaps, toothpaste. As a seasoned dog/house sitter who often stays in others’ homes, I know it’s something I always appreciate!" Lauren

Photo Courtesy of lizmarieblog.com

Of course there could be down side to all of this pampering. If you make your guests too comfortable, they may never leave. But that’s a topic for a different kind of blog!