If you’ve ever stayed at someone else’s home, you know there are mixed feelings. It’s gracious that they invite you to stay, but it can be hard to experience overall comfort when you’re in unfamiliar surroundings. It doesn’t have to be. At Metropolitan Window Fashions, we know you’ll want to create the perfect sanctuary as a home-away-from-home for your guests this holiday. Your guests will have been traveling, possibly by air. There isn’t a lot of room to bring extras, and they won’t have the time to pick up the ‘little things’ they might like to have on hand. We’ve come up with a list of guest-savvy ideas to make their upcoming stay one of the best they’ve ever had.
Welcome Them with Treats.
Chances are, your guests are going to be exhausted after the day’s travels. Arriving to a fresh bouquet of flowers is bound to put a smile on anyone’s face. And how about food? The trip to the store will have to wait until the following day. But that doesn’t mean they can’t enjoy snacks and drinks. Unless your guest is a very close, personal friend or family member, helping themselves to your fridge or pantry is not going to happen, even if they’re hungry. Remove the challenge by having an already-packed gift bag full of treats in your guest room. It’s a welcome surprise, but one that’s priceless. Generally, the rule is a gift bag for each visitor. If you’re not sure what to pack, stick to these essentials: two bottles of water, a salty snack, a sweet treat, a pack of gum or mints and a piece of fruit like a banana or an apple.
Take Care of the Kids.
Visiting friends and relatives feels like a vacation–being away from your daily life, finally getting quality time with the people you love. But staying in someone else’s home can be stressful–especially if there are children present. You may already know this, but the best thing to do is to PUT AWAY anything breakable. Think of it as a minimalist look. Borrowing or buying some books, open-ended building toys, or even Play Doh, will keep little ones busy. You can easily replace a timeless, expensive piece of decor from your coffee table, and replace it with something like Citiblocks–even the adults may enjoy creating with these toys. Find out about local play places or museums so they have something to look forward to during their stay. Ask the parents ahead of time for snack and food ideas. Stocking your pantry with items for little ones will keep them happy throughout their visit.
Create a Sanctuary.
Being on vacation can be relaxing and restorative, but it can also be difficult to fall asleep and stay asleep in unfamiliar surroundings. Be sure to make extra pillows and blankets available. It’s also time to consider your window coverings. You’ll want to make sure the window shades you choose for your guest room feature room-darkening for a quality night of sleep. Privacy and energy efficiency are a must, as you want your guests to be as comfortable as possible. Make your guest room look like a beautiful haven of relaxation so your guests feel spoiled from the time they arrive. Custom bedding and beautiful fabrics will add just the right finish for an elegant space. Right now, we have an amazing offer for sheer fabrics that will fill your guest room with graceful sophistication.
Provide Bathroom Necessities.
In the hustle and bustle of preparing for the holidays, don’t forget that this will be your guests’ home during their stay, and a prepared bathroom is a must. Get your bathroom ‘guest-ready’ before they arrive. Set out extra towels, washcloths–even toilet paper–so they don’t need to ask for them. A hamper is a great item to provide in your guest bathroom or bedroom. Traveling is tough, and even harder with kids. Your guests will appreciate the organization and forethought that they are welcome to have laundry done while staying with you. For bathroom necessities, it’s nice to offer them the shampoo, conditioner, soap, lotion, hair dryer, shaving cream and toothpaste they might need. Take a look at the window coverings in your guest bathroom. Do they let in enough natural light while also providing privacy? Both are important. It may time to invest in window coverings that feature top-down bottom-up operation so your guests can have the best of both worlds.
Be the Concierge.
One thing is certain–no matter how much planning goes into something, there’s always more to do. How many times have you tried to get everything done before you left on vacation, only to end up extremely stressed in the process? Ensure that your guests are as stress-free as possible by scheduling their “extras” after they arrive. Let them be pampered during their time with you, instead of trying to rush around before they travel. Find out what they could really use–a manicure, a pedicure, a massage, a hair appointment. Happy guests will enjoy their time with you that much more.
Is your guest room ready? Right now, Metropolitan Window Fashions has promotions that will help you make your guest room all it can be. From tremendous savings on window shades, to incredible offers toward creating custom decor with Fabricut fabrics, you’ll have fun and save money. Create a guest room they’ll never want to leave, and make it a vacation they’ll never forget. Contact our team, at Metropolitan Window Fashions, for a free, in-home consultation.
