Getting Ready For Guests

I LOVE staying in a luxurious hotel suite! I mean, doesn't everybody?????

With that said, I try to create the same feeling of a resort whenever we have house guests. And since it is the holidays, I thought I would share some of my favorite tips for making your space feel a little more like a retreat for your guests.

Let's start with the bathroom....depending on your home, you may have a dedicated guest bath that is off the main path, OR the guest bath may be used by others than just those staying with you. Therefore, during the holidays, it is very important to keep the bathroom tidy, organized and looking great. With basic necessities in plain sight, your guests will not have to rummage through your cabinets to find what they are looking for, or request you make multiple trips to fetch anything they may need. Here are a few tips on how to do this simply and easily:

* Start by cleaning all non-essentials from your bathroom counter tops. Photos, knick knacks, decorative soaps, and so forth just create clutter when guests are using the space, so store them away in a closet or drawer that won't be needed.
* Consolidate bath products in a nice basket that matches the decor of the bathroom; sample sizes & hotel collections are ideal. (I LOVE LOVE LOVE AVEDA'S "TRAVEL FAVORITES" LINE OF PRODUCTS.) If your bathroom is large, you can leave it on the counter top, otherwise place it on the ledge of the bathtub or tuck it in a corner that is obvious for your guests to find and utilize.
* If space is tight, use the top of the toilet tank as a resting spot for a narrow container filled with lotion, mouthwash, cotton swabs, lip balm, antibacterial hand gel, travel size toothpaste and a (new) toothbrush. Again, hotel samples or travel size products are ideal. When guests leave, slide the container under the sink and bring it back out when getting ready for the next guests! If you replenish the supply immediately, you will be ready for even unexpected guests!
* Set a folded hand towel by each sink and be sure your soap is full. I really like the aromatherapy handsoap line from Bath & Body Works.
* Paper products: a large hurricane or cylinder vase is a great way to store an extra roll or two in a decorative manner.
* You can also tie a label around the door knobs and drawer pulls where you put any additional items so your guests can easily find a hair dryer, extra towels, air freshener, first aid supplies, etc. Hand write what items they will find when they open that space so they are not having to hunt!