House Guests are Coming…Are You Ready?

by Lee Mink, ASID

One of the inevitable rites of summer for Southern Californians is the arrival of house guests. And the Pasadena area has a second influx in late December for the Rose Parade festivities. What memories are your friends and family going to take home? Lumpy beds? Dust and pet hair? Lack of privacy? Or the warm glow of a gracious home? And an inviting, comfortable guest room that says, “We’re glad you came”?

For those who are fortunate enough to have a designated guest room or spare bedroom or even if it is simply to be a pull-out bed, creating a welcoming guest sleeping space is easier than you think. Some quick touches can make a huge difference. Increase guest comfort with these easy remedies as need be:

• Test out the space first.

Before company comes, the best way to test out a guest bed is to sleep there yourself. Is it comfortable without awaking with aches and pains? Do you find that you sneeze from allergens? Are the pillows. blanket, sheets, and covers in good shape? Is there space enough in the closet to hang more than a few things and are there plentiful hangers to hang them?  Is a lamp within easy reach? Are there window coverings that minimize morning light?

• Stow away clutter.

An imminent guest visit is a perfect time to clear up and stow away the clutter that inevitably creeps into spare rooms, closets, and the home in general. Collect unwanted and unnecessary items for donation or to throw away. Remember to remove and hide personal items or information you don’t want your guests to see.

• Refurbish inexpensively.

If refurbishing is in order, the costs do not have to exorbitant. Special mattress pads can do a world of good for an old mattress and are easily found at any home furnishings store. Take out the spare linen for fresh bedding or purchase an inexpensive set.

• Check room and bedside lighting.

Where morning light is a problem, install a blackout roller shade. Available at large hardware/home improvement stores, they can be cut to measure while you wait. Then, hang them “reverse roll” so that the black-out material is next to the glass. When the shade is rolled up, it hides neatly behind fabric valances, decorative shades, or sheers. This trick will help guests to sleep more soundly and help keep the room cool. For bedside convenience, an adjustable swing arm lamp, moved from another place in the home or bought inexpensively, can be placed near the bed or sofa for versatility in lighting.

• Assemble “guest baskets.”

Fill an ample basket with bath towels, face cloth, drinking glass and personal grooming items such as body wash, a small toothpaste tube, hand lotion, and a fresh bar of soap to place in the bathroom guests will use. Then, consider a snack tray for guests. Bottled water, nuts, fruit, chocolates and other snack items are among things most appreciated. A second “breakfast tray” can be left in the kitchen with cereal, fruit, rolls, and coffee or tea arrangements. Having these convenience items handy and in one place helps minimize the need for guests to rummage through cupboards.

Finally, add of pitcher of fresh flowers and viola! The room is ready! With some advance, easy preparation, the bright and comfortable guest space really speaks volumes about how greatly your guests - and indeed, your living space - are valued, Hopefully, guests will stay just long enough for a good visit, but not wear out their welcome, so you’ll look forward to their next stay in your home.

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Lee Mink, ASID, heads Lee Mink & Associates Interiors, Pasadena, California, which provides residential and commercial design, space planning, and custom designed furnishings services. She can be reached at (626) 796-3900 or email: lee@leeminkinteriors.com

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