Kit Davey, Interior Designer
18 Years in business - Over 2,600 homes transformed!
Tips From Kit - September 2001
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How to Create an Inviting Guest Room
By Kit Davey
How do you make your guest room an inviting retreat for your visitors? Your personal touch is the key.
Basic Furnishings, Plus...
For a guest room your visitors will really appreciate, you don't have to spend a ton of money; you just have to be cleverly considerate:
- Make sure the bed is bearable: sleep in it for a night yourself. If it's lumpy, sagging or uneven, replace the mattress.
- Clear out the first top two drawers of the dresser and line them with wrapping paper or scented shelf paper. Leave a sachet or bundle of dried lavender in the drawer.
- Create a convenient spot to place a suitcase---the top of an antique chest, a folding luggage rack, or the top of a low dresser.
- Remove knick-knacks from the top of the dresser so your guests can put personal items here.
- Make sure that curtains are easy to operate and sufficiently darken the room.
- Leave one to two feet of rod space in the closet, along with ten to twenty empty hangers. For extra coush, hang padded hangers and dangle a pomander from one of them.
- Put a portable radio/CD or tape player on the bedside table or the bookshelves and leave several volumes of your favorite music. You might also want to copy the radio channel guide (which gives the call letters and frequency numbers and a brief description of the station's brand of music) and place it by the stereo.
- Place a wind-up or electric alarm clock within view of the bed.
- Fold up fluffy, clean towel sets and leave them out on the bed, or on top of the guest bath's commode so your guests will know they are fresh and intended for their use. Place a mini-bouquet of dried flowers on top.
Aside from the guest room, there are a few touches that can make a world of difference in the comfort of your guests. Make a convenient parking space available the day of your guest's arrival. You may want to move your car out of the driveway or ask your neighbor to move his/her car up the street. Your guests will appreciate not having to hike several blocks with their luggage to your front door. Don't forget to stock up on any specialty foods or beverages your guests require or might enjoy.
The Guest Bath
- Plug in night lights in the hall and the guest bath so that nocturnal journeys don't cause loud thuds or broken bones. You may even want to place a flashlight on the night stand for added security and improved night time navigation.
- Make sure the fixtures and porcelain are squeaky clean and that the room smells fresh.
- Empty the trash receptacle and remove any partially used shampoo bottles, soap bars or other personal hygiene items from the shower and countertops.
- Check your supplies--is there enough toilet and tissue paper?
- Leave out a special cup or glass for your guest to rinse with.
- Clear a spot on the countertop to place their toiletries.
- Set up a mini-basket with little bottles of shampoo, cream rinse, hand lotion, a sewing kit, plastic razor, toothpaste, comb, etc., in case your guests forgot one of these items.
- Place a bowl of potpourri or soaps on the countertop.
Special Touches
Add charm and personality to your guest room with a few thoughtful touches:
- Place a vase of fresh cut flowers on the night stand or dresser.
- If space allows, lay out a doily and display a few antique beauty accessories on it---a perfume bottle, a hand mirror, a hair comb or a jewelry box.
- Fold an antique quilt or a colorful blanket across the foot of the bed or draped over the back of a chair. Or, keep the extra blanket on a closet shelf in case your guest needs more warmth. (You might want to put an extra down pillow there, too).
- Stock the bookshelf with a variety of books. Include books which you are willing to let your guest take with them if they don't finish it during their stay.
- Use the wall space and any spare bookshelf space to display your collections, family heirlooms or other favorite possessions. Guests enjoy cozy rooms with a sense of history.
© Kit Davey 2001
Kit Davey is a Redwood City-based interior designer specializing in redecorating using what you already have. You can reach her by calling (650)367-7370 or by writing her at KitDavey@aol.com. Visit her website at www.AFreshLook.net.
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