Opportunity to Show Love and Care: 9 Tips for Guest Bedrooms

“Hospitality is Simply an Opportunity to Show Love and Care.” Unknown

I love this statement about hospitality. It speaks to how we welcome our guests, but it doesn’t say it has to be a designated bedroom, down comforters, or a complete matching set of linens. It says it is ‘an opportunity to show love and care.’ That is what we ultimately want when we invite people into our homes, especially when we have overnight guests.  We have hosted many friends and family members, which I greatly enjoy. Again, it is the opportunity to show love and care. I have learned more about hospitality and guest bedrooms since moving to another state and starting our Airbnb. 

Here are the tips I’ve learned to show love and care

1. No matter what size, the bed or pull-out couch has good-feeling linens, layered blankets/throws, and fluffy duvets to welcome guests for the night. It is easier to take off a blanket than to shiver in bed. Plus, a throw is lovely to take a nap.
2. Various pillows for softness and size, including a small rectangle to help someone with neck/back/leg pain. 
3. Room darkening drapes or blinds is probably essential for a good night’s sleep.
4. Lamp close to the sleeping spot for wayfinding, nighttime reading, or to get up for a room so they don’t disturb the rest of the house.
5. Empty hangers and space in a closet for their clothes. A luggage valet is also welcome as an added touch to hold the suitcase. These often go on sale plus a discount from coupons at big box stores.
6. A fan or sound machine is excellent for guests who use one at home.
7. Docking station for electronics plus an old-fashioned alarm clock. Or a clock with a docking station is an inexpensive item.
8. The final touch is having a small basket and their towels laid out. The basket has a few travel sizes of Downy Wrinkle Releaser, Advil/Tylenol/Motrin, toothbrush, dental floss, nail clippers, and a personal touch for this particular guest. 
9. The final touch to add before the guest arrives is a bottle of water and a glass for them to use.

I want to sit a minute on Tip #1 – Having the good-feeling linens.

During one of our monthly Facebook Group Chats, we discussed bed linens. I cannot tell you how much fun it was to discuss and how we had a different opinion on “good feeling,” some ladies felt jersey knit sheets were the best. Others felt that flannel sheets in Michigan, especially in the winter, were fine living! I agree with it all. I change sheets to the season, especially loving a soft touch of cotton in the summer. Nothing is more cooling at night than sliding in cotton sheets in July.

But I want to share our discussion on mixing florals, plaids, and solids in the bed, such as a plaid fitted sheet, floral flat sheet, and a mix of both, plus a solid for the pillowcases. We all loved the ideas and combinations we could create. Another possibility is a fitted flannel sheet and cotton flat sheet. Again, a whole world of endless possibilities arrives.

The rest of the tip list

With all this said, ‘Making the Bed’ truly expresses your style, the season, and the guests you are hosting. Have fun with it! The other tips are items gathered from around the house or added to ‘The List.’ If you are wondering what I mean by ‘The List.’ It is another topic we talked about in a Facebook Chat. It is simply having a running list in your journal of items you want or need for your home, garden, clothing, family, and life. So, when you come across a sale, you have a list to refer to for some great deals. The rest of the tips are ways or, as the saying states, “…simply an opportunity to show love and care.” to those who come into our homes. Also, here at A Carefully Curated Life, we believe in Loving the Ordinary as life is art; here is a previous blog if you’d like to read more.

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