How to make your guests extra comfortable this Christmas!

I wanted to write a blog post this month on how to make your home one for your guests to really enjoy this Christmas, in particular the guest bedroom. So here goes with some easy to do and inexpensive ideas that make all the difference.

My Home decorated for Christmas last year...

I love decorating the house for Christmas. We usually have a tree in the front room which the kids love helping to decorate too. We have wreathes on the front door and on some internal doors, and lots of lovely snowflake and star inspired decorations in the kitchen. We have a bare twig style tree in the kitchen (which were very popular about 10 or so years ago and I got mine when I worked for John Lewis) which is decorated with clear decorations. Each year a few more decorations creep into the house and each year we have more and more to put up!

Five Ways to Make your Guests feel at Home.

We generally take it in turns to host Christmas with other family members. Some live locally to us and some further afield, so we don't have guests to stay every year, but when we do, we love to make them feel welcome.

1. Welcome Hamper

Adding a small hamper to the room your guests will be staying in is the perfect welcome for them. It doesn't need to be anything big or extravagant but perhaps some bottled water (or a carafe for tap water and a glass), and some snacks like biscuits, nuts or pretzels could be a nice little added thought. If you have the space, then maybe a kettle and cups with coffee and tea provisions. You can always use long life milk in place of a fridge, or just pop a small 1 pint of milk on the windowsill to keep cold! Adding a bottle of wine or beer with glasses could be a nice extra touch just to help your guests feel really relaxed and at home where they can help themselves without feeling bad of having to ask where things are.

2. Space for Clothes

If you are able to make some room in the existing storage for your guests in the room they are staying in then this can be really useful addition to their stay. Just like you have in a hotel, some storage in either drawers or hanging space means that when a guest comes to stay, they can really unpack and relax. This is even more useful, especially if they are staying for a few days at a time. It saves having to live out of a suitcase, and if they are bringing nice outfits to wear like a suit or dress then this can be hung up ready to wear for `Christmas Day. Some space in a wardrobe or in a chest of drawers would be plenty to achieve this.

3. Lovely Layers

We all know that some feel the cold more than others, so by adding in some layers to your guest room, this can make sure your guests will be really comfortable. Adding in some additional cushions and pillows for the bed if your guests wish to read or crossword in bed (better still add in some additional seating if you can to give an alternative to sitting on the bed all the time) By adding in some cosy throws and blankets, it means your guests can either wrap up or cool down at night depending on their preference of how warm they want to be. If you know your guests really feel the cold then perhaps throw in a cosy hot water bottle and some lovely thick socks too.

4. Mirrors

Having a mirror in the room your guests are staying in is really handy for them. If the room doesn't normally have a mirror in it, then moving a mirror from another room on a temporary basis just while your guests are here while they are getting ready for events while they are staying. A full length mirror can be propped up against a wall or a smaller mirror on a mantle piece or dressing table. Whatever the size and style, this is a great addition for a guest room.

5. Toiletries

In the same way it is nice to have some snacks and drinks in a room, some extra toiletries can be really handy when staying away from home. Like being in a hotel, there always seems to be something that gets forgotten like some makeup remover wipes, or toothpaste or shampoo, so having some mini toiletries at hand can be a nice pleasant surprise for your guests and a thoughtful added extra.

6. Guest Towels

Having some guest hand and bath towels in the room ready for use can be really handy for your guests. Having everything at hand for them, to save them hunting around or having to ask for towels when they want to use the bathroom, especially if they will have their own ensuite, this is a good idea to have organised before they arrive. Some lovely freshly washed fluffy towels feel like the ultimate luxury when staying away from home.

I'm here for all your Interior Design Needs...

If you need a little more 1-1 help with designing, planning and styling a room scheme then I’d love to help. You can email me at hello@laurenmayinteriors.com or call/ text on 07712185467. You can find out more about my Services on my website www.laurenmayinteriors.com and my portfolio projects. There are also some lovely kind words from some of the people I've worked with so you start to get an idea of what it would be like to work with me and why it's worth paying for an interior designer like me so that you get it right first time round. My services start from £79 for a Colour Consultation and £225 for an Interior Design Service up to £395 for full design and styling service.

I can’t wait to hear from you and learn about your project.

Lauren x