The holidays are a time for gathering loved ones. It’s a time for opening your doors — namely, the guest bedroom doors — to family and friends. With dear ones coming from near and far to spend time with you, thoughtfully preparing their space is an especially generous way of saying, “Welcome to our home.” Dedicated guest quarters are a luxury in many households and serve two purposes: to create a beautifully designed space that adds to the allure of your abode and to provide a place where visitors can retreat. These rooms offer charm, reflect your tastes and add warmth to the guest experience.
Photography by Bo Carlock/Spacecrafting
While we might be tempted to transform the space for hosting, remember there’s no need to create a generic hotel-like setting — especially during the celebratory season. Instead, think of adding in greenery, festive mementos and framed holiday cards from years gone by. Spread these seasonal elements throughout the room to create a cheery ambiance, layering them into the existing decor.
Over the years, I’ve found that focusing on a handful of creature comforts is the best way to make family and friends feel right at home and guarantee a memorable visit. Settling into a space upon arrival should be an enjoyable experience and play into the anticipation of the celebrations to come, especially for those who have traveled across time zones. Luggage racks, adequate hangers, a comfortable chair and ample unpacking space are all a plus. Trust your intuition when finding spots to stash these items, ensuring it’s easy to navigate around the bed. Other niceties include an accessible full-length mirror, a water carafe and glassware, coffee and tea offerings, and a fan (no matter the season).
During the holidays, I like to greet guests with a welcome tray atop their bed with fresh flowers, a handwritten note and some treats personally selected for them. One cherished keepsake we give visitors each year is a thoughtfully selected, beautifully wrapped ornament — sometimes setting a theme for the season. This is a charming way to kick off their stay and add to their collection.
For me, layered lighting is a must. Consider wall sconces in combination with nightstand lamps. This makes it easy for anyone to turn on, turn off and dim down lights without getting out of bed to find a wall switch. I like to add wreaths around light fixtures to bring in some greenery as a seasonal touch. Adding a few night lights to illuminate the path to closets and bathrooms is helpful, especially for first-timers.
One page I take out of the hotel playbook is keeping guests’ tech close at hand. Create dedicated areas to charge phones, computers and other electronics and provide a handwritten card outlining your Wi-Fi details for easy access. This offers a seamless transition for visitors who need to tie up loose ends at work before logging off for the holidays. And for those who need to stay on the clock, provide a carafe of coffee each morning. Simply have your guest place it outside their door in the evening for you to return the next day, filled with a strong roast to fuel their morning. It’s a nice treat for those who start their day with a “but first, coffee” mentality.
Another must-have that seems obvious but is worth giving some extra thought is comfortable bedding. If you want your visitors to get a good night’s sleep (which you do), it’s worth going the extra mile here. Provide a range of comfy, cozy blankets and pillows to accommodate individual preferences. This is especially important on those chilly winter nights, but if you have central air conditioning, they may reach for an extra blanket even in the summer months. Similar to minding dietary restrictions, offer a variation of fiber types to accommodate any sensitivities.
In the end, seasonal decor is a nice touch. But what truly matters is making sure your guests have everything they need to rest, relax and rejuvenate. After all, it’s the time together that’s most memorable.
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