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The prospect of house guests is great motivation to get your place in shape. Whether you have friends staying for a couple of nights or family coming for an extended holiday, you probably want to zhoosh up key areas and add a few thoughtful touches. Here’s a checklist of ways to make your guests feel comfortable and warmly welcomed.
Look at your home with new eyes and assess which areas need attention. Consider hiring a deep-cleaning machine to freshen up carpets and sofas, then blitz all outdoor entertaining areas, give the barbecue a once-over and polish windows. Decluttering will also dramatically enhance your home’s appeal and add to the feeling of space.
Spruce up the guestroom and get creative with styling. Interior decorator Lauren Keenan (laurenkeenan.com.au) says new or freshly washed bedding and pillows are a must, while a room spray can infuse a lovely fresh scent. Guest accommodation host Sami Muirhead recommends raiding the garden for flowers and greenery. “I pop sprigs of fresh rosemary on guests’ pillows, fill vases with foliage and, for a fun, inexpensive touch, I ‘chocolate bomb’ the bed with individually wrapped chocolates,” she says.
For a quick guestroom update, add a floating shelf layered with sculptural objects, try your hand at a D.I.Y. canvas artwork or frame an enlarged favourite photo. New bedside lamps can enhance the mood of the room – but make sure they provide sufficient light for reading.
Consider your visitors’ storage needs, too. Allocating space to stow bags and hang clothes is a practical way to help guests settle in, says Lauren. “Add a portable clothes rail or set of drawers and show guests where they can put things, whether it’s under-bed space for their suitcase, or particular drawers,” she suggests. Sami says she often leaves a laundry basket in the guestroom for visitors to throw shoes and extra clothing into. “I also find chairs double as a handy surface for holding books, devices and handbags,” she adds.
“A ceiling fan is a great investment and once installed is very economical to run,” says Lauren. Alternatively, place a pedestal fan in the corner of the guestroom to help circulate air. Lauren also recommends considering the aspect of the room. “As the sun rises early in summer, a useful addition may be an off-the-shelf blockout blind you can install yourself, so the room is conducive to sleep-ins.”
Devote time to a deep bathroom clean, ensuring the vanity is cleared of clutter. A nice touch is to add a tray where visitors can sit their toiletries bag, alongside a beautiful pump soap and scented candle. Restock essentials such as shower gel, shampoo, toilet paper and tissues, and ensure there’s a bin and hair dryer. Lauren suggests providing plenty of soft towels – and installing hooks to hang them on. “If there are small children, it’s nice to offer a few water toys to make bath time more fun,” she adds.
If you and your visitors will be in and out at different times, provide independent access and lockability. “We have a key drop-box and we text our guests the box code, so they can access the keys and come and go as they please,” says Sami. Another convenient option for family and visitors is to have a keyless door lock system installed.
Evoke a holiday vibe by treating guests to little luxuries. Consider setting up a tea, coffee and water station with gourmet biscuits and fruit so visitors can easily access light refreshments. For an extra-special touch, Sami likes to leave a little welcome gift on the bed such as a new face washer, slippers or toothbrush, along with a handwritten note. “It doesn’t need to cost a lot, it’s the thought that’s gone into the gift,” she says.
“Gardening guru Costa Georgiadis once gave me a wonderful tip, which is to buy a secondhand book for each guest matched to their interests, and it’s something I’ve done for many years. It’s so personal and makes a beautiful keepsake.”
If guests are staying for several days there’s likely to be a few more loads of washing to do. Pop a laundry bag (a clean pillowcase is fine) or basket in the guestroom so they can separate clean and worn clothing.
If you’re not going to be around, check there’s enough washing powder/liquid and stain remover in the laundry. ”It’s also helpful to have instructions on how to use the washing machine,” says Lauren. Include how much detergent to use, the quickest cycle and any safety-lock time delay details. Replace rusty, cracked or grubby old pegs with clean ones and, if there’s enough room, place a clothes rack and a few plastic coathangers in the guestroom for airing clothes.
Provide guests with important information about your home. “The wi-fi password and log-ins for streaming services are often the first questions people have,” says Lauren. “If you have pets, specify which doors need to be kept closed.” Also include tips for various remotes and features unique to your home – and when to put the bins out if you won’t be there.
Make your home office multitask as a guest room.
Photo credits: Cath Muscat
Asbestos, lead-based paints and copper chromium arsenic (CCA) treated timber are health hazards you need to look out for when renovating older homes. These substances can easily be disturbed when renovating and exposure to them can cause a range of life-threatening diseases and conditions including cancer. For information on the dangers of asbestos, lead-based paint and CCA treated timber and tips for dealing with these materials contact your local council's Environmental Health Officer or visit our Health & Safety page.
When following our advice in our D.I.Y. videos, make sure you use all equipment, including PPE, safely by following the manufacturer’s instructions. Check that the equipment is suitable for the task and that PPE fits properly. If you are unsure, hire an expert to do the job or talk to a Bunnings Team Member.
