6 Guest Room Essentials I Put in Every Bedroom When I’m Hosting
Whenever we have people coming to stay, I run through the same short mental list of guest room essentials — the handful of things that turn a pretty spare bedroom into a room where someone actually sleeps well and feels taken care of. And this summer I’ve had a lot of chances to test it.
Iron Bed | Curtains | Floral Pillowcases | Sheets | Duvet Cover | Blanket
Our Merrimore House renovations are scheduled to start in November, but we’re planning to use the lake house fully this summer — squeezing in every minute of lake living while we can. The house came fully furnished, which has been such a gift in terms of getting to enjoy it right away, but I’ve been itching to make things feel a little more us during this in-between phase. I started simple, just swapping the throw pillows on the beds, and eventually moved on to bigger changes, bringing in a few pieces from our Pottery Barn collections. We added this bed to one of the guest rooms and swapped the dining table for this one, and both made such a difference.
But beyond making the house feel more personal, I’ve been thinking a lot about our guests — and how to make them as comfortable as possible while they’re here. A guest room doesn’t have to be big or fancy to feel like a little retreat; it mostly comes down to anticipating the small things people forget to pack. So here are the six guest room essentials I put in every guest bedroom.
The Cozy Clog in Cookies and Cream Bouclé
I love these clogs so much I own them in five colors — they’re incredibly comfortable and the perfect slip-on house shoe, though you can certainly wear them outside too. I ordered a range of men’s and women’s sizes to keep on hand, so guests always have something warm to slip into before coming down for breakfast.
Utopia Bedding Down Alternative Bed Pillows for Sleeping
Bed pillows make such a difference. I ordered two sets of these for every guest bed, so there’s always enough to prop up with a book or sink into for the night.
Utopia Down Duvet Insert
This is the duvet insert I’ve bought so many times I’ve lost count. It’s perfectly fluffy but still lightweight, so it never sleeps too warm.
Vagus Nerve Pillow Mist
I spritz this on my pillow before going to sleep, and I swear it’s the secret to falling asleep in five minutes.
Waffle Bed Blanket
This is the lightweight all-seasons blanket I swear by. Cool in the summer, warm in the winter. It’s that essential layer that you hope is on every guest bed you sleep in — in case you’re not a duvet person, but the sheet is too light!
Chris Loves Julia Luggage Rack
Even if your guest room doesn’t have a closet or a dresser, you’re good if you have a luggage rack. Friends can live out of their suitcases for a few days as long as that suitcase is off the floor!
