With the holidays in full swing, it’s hard not to feel overwhelmed by everything you have to do: shopping, cooking, wrapping gifts, attending and/or hosting parties—the list goes on and on. Throw in entertaining visiting friends and relatives, and panic can start setting in. How can you possibly welcome guests into the disaster zone your house has become? Easy. With a few personal touches and a little pre-planning, your guests will feel like they’re staying in one of Atlanta’s finest hotels. Once you’ve prepared your guest rooms, you might want to book a night for yourself.

The Room

When preparing your guest rooms, the first step you should take is evaluating the space. What does the decor convey? “The colors should be mimicked in the bedding and accessories,” says Jennifer Cheney of Design Classique Enterprises Inc. in Atlanta. A low-key color such as pale blue or soft yellow will provide a relaxing atmosphere, whereas bright, bold colors provide high energy. Either way works as long as the room is decorated on the same level as the rest of the house, not as a catchall for miscellaneous knickknacks or furnishings. “It shows you are welcoming of guests,” Cheney says.

However, it requires more than just looking over the room. “The best advice I’ve ever heard was from Albert Hadley, who was a partner in the legendary design firm of Parish-Hadley Inc. in New York,” says Amy Dantré Wikman, owner of Dantré Wikman Design in Atlanta. “He said to spend a night in your own guest room so you could get to know the room and what conveniences it lacks. Think…what would I need at someone else’s home?”

Obviously, fresh linens in good condition are a must. Sheets with a high thread count and made of 100 percent cotton are best. When choosing bedding, pick something inviting, such as a goose down comforter and pillows or a duvet, Cheney says. Place extra blankets and pillows where guests can easily find them if needed; a closet shelf or extra dresser drawer are ideal locations.

Your guests
Also, be considerate of your guests’ special needs. “A thoughtful touch is offering a choice of synthetic pillows for those of your guests with allergies,” Wikman says. She also recommends laundering all linens and bedding directly prior to guests’ arrival to keep the room fresh—even if they haven’t been slept in.
Another consideration is window treatments. Because you may not sleep in your guest room, you may not know what type of lighting the room receives, or how much privacy the window treatments allow. Make sure window treatments will prevent bright morning sunlight so guests can sleep in comfort, Cheney says. Also, make sure they provide privacy for your guests.

Be sure to also check the lighting in your guest room and bathroom. Make sure all light bulbs are working and there is sufficient lighting to find one’s way around in the dark. You may want to put out a nightlight or candles (don’t forget the matches!).

To help guests feel at home, have empty dresser drawers or closet space available for your guests to unpack their suitcases, Cheney says. Make sure to place fresh flowers in the room, especially any that would give off a nice fragrance. This tells guests that you were thinking of them and anticipating their arrival.

The bath
Next, lay out bath linens for your guests. If your guests won’t have their own private bathroom, make sure you leave plenty of bath linens in the bedroom. You should always have more than you think you need, Wikman says.
“Make sure there is ample room in the bathroom—be it a separate guest room or one you share—for guests’ toiletries,” Wikman says. “Extras of staples such as soap, toothpaste, mouthwash, etc. are also greatly appreciated. I save samples from my travels and keep them in a basket under the sink for my guests.”
Don’t overlook other special touches, including bottled water and cups, or even a small coffeemaker with creamer and sugar. “Some guests are early risers and don’t want to disturb the rest of the household,” Wikman says. She also suggests including a small basket of cookies or other edible treats.

Little extras
For entertainment, Cheney suggests you provide your guests with current best-selling books, magazines and newspapers. “Magazines shouldn’t be 3 years old,” she says. “Target your guests’ interests.” For example, if you know your friend or relative likes to sail, include a boating or sailing magazine. You can also include a TV, radio or even a computer. And don’t forget about a clock with an alarm.
Above all, make sure you have prepared your guests’ quarters before they arrive. “Don’t make guests wait for room preparations,” Cheney says. After a long day of traveling, the last thing guests want to do is wait for a bed to be made.
Keep in mind that the purpose of your guests’ visit is to spend the holidays with you. Let this visit be the foundation for preparing your guest rooms. “All in all, a guest room should be indicative of your hospitality,” Wikman says. “The best places I’ve stayed in someone’s home haven’t necessarily been the most beautiful or most expensively appointed. They were carefully thought out to provide the best experience for me. Having a neat, comfortable place to lay your head during a busy time of the year, with the company of good friends or family, is simply priceless.”