Home Holiday Decorating Getting Ready for Holiday Guests

Getting Ready for Holiday Guests

by Debbie Correale

Welcome to the beginning of November and the start of the season of beautiful home decorating ideas and yummy food!  Are you expecting guests this month or next?  I hope the idea of this upcoming holiday season doesn’t set you into a panic.  Instead, I would like to offer a few tips to help you get organized, decorate, and be ready to enjoy your guests and have fun and a fabulous visit.

bedroomCheck List for your guests and guest bedroom:

  1. Guest Mattress:  Is your guest bed up to snuff?  If you inherited a mattress from a relative over 15 years ago it may be time to invest in a new mattress, the basic rule of thumb is to buy the best quality you can afford.  Click here for a better understanding on mattress types.
  2. Upgrade the Bedding:  Think of adding comforts to your guest bedroom, as you would find in a 5-star hotel or B&B.  Add a featherbed mattress topper, clean and comfortable pillows, a warm comforter and extra blankets and a throw for naps and general comfort.  Always have fresh and clean linens.  If you are in need of an upgrade, keep in mind when buying sheets that the highest thread count may not be the best sheet for your guests.  The higher the thread count can create a stiffer feel and does not allow air to pass through the sheet (often the stiffer versions tend to be sateen.)  Click the following for tips on Understanding Bed Sizes and a Guide for Buying Sheets from HGTV.
  3. Reading Light:  Be sure that there is adequate light in your room for reading and position it properly.  Is there a nightstand beside the bed or reading chair?  Each position should have a lamp located close enough to reach.  If you only have one overhead light in the room, it’s time for an update!  There are many inexpensive options available at your local home stores.  In terms of the amount of light you need in the guest room according to the IESNA Lighting Handbook desks and task lighting requires 50 Lumens per square foot. You will find the ‘Lumen’ rating printed on a light bulb package.
  4. Power:  Provide a power strip, not just an extension cord, as your guests will need the ability to plug in grounded 3-prong computer plugs.  Position the power strip within reach of the reading chair, bedside table, or desk to power smart phones, tablets or computers.  Also, provide a card of instructions on how to access your home Wi-Fi.
  5. Provide Space:  Keep in mind that less is more in a guest bedroom, so your guests have a place to put their things.  There should be a place for their luggage and space in the closet to put things away and hang items up.
  6. Area to Sit:  There are some people who do not like to read in bed.  That being said, provide a comfortable reading chair (with a properly positioned reading lamp.)
  7. Privacy and Light Control:  If you have a beautiful window topper or valance in your guest room, consider adding a blind or shade.  The benefit for your guest is that they can pull it up to create an open and spacious look or close it for a comfortable, cozy, and private feel.
  8. Added Comfort and Inviting Touches:  As you would find in a 5-star hotel, consider adding a welcome basket of bottled water, snacks, tissue, reading material (magazines and books.)  Provide a small vase of beautiful seasonal flowers and perhaps a sachet of lavender scented herbs for a lovely night’s sleep!

redesign rightIf you are in need of bedroom decorating ideas or require a paint color consultation before the guests arrive, contact Debbie@RedesignRight.com or call 610.955.8202 to set up an appointment.

By Debbie Correale, founder and owner of Redesign Right, LLC. You can learn more about her at RedesignRight.com. Find her on Facebook.com/RedesignRight, Twitter @RedesignRight, LinkedIn, Pinterest, Houzz and Google+.

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