• Tweet

• Tweet

Making your guests feel at home doesn’t have to cost a fortune.  And if you’re already decorating an extra bedroom, there are ways to save money along the way.  After all, it’s the attention to small details that contributes to an overall homey look.  Here are some ways you can make your extra bedroom a relaxing retreat for guests.

1. If you were about to repaint the room anyways, consider choosing a light neutral color for the guest room.  Generally, pale yellows and soft grays do the job well for providing a relaxing atmosphere.  Dark and bright colors like red, orange, green, or pink often bring a more chaotic or loud feel, so avoid those colors if you are repainting.

2. As with all decorating, pick a color theme and stick with it.  Bringing too many different colors into one room can make it look cluttered and stressful.  Instead, pick 2-3 colors, and try to keep most decorative items in that same color scheme.

3. Make a welcoming tray mints and small candies.  Food always looks welcoming, and small candies or mints won’t go stale quickly, making it the perfect guest room amenity.

4. Make a basket of toiletries in the bathroom.  Small travel sized shampoos and conditioners are great for guests.  If you’re worried about the costs of constantly restocking toiletries, you can even buy small containers, and just refill it yourself with the larger bottles you already have.

5.  Stock up on pillows.  This is great for making the bed look cozy, as well as giving your guests the option of having more pillows depending on their sleep preferences.

6. Hang a mirror in your guest room.  This could be either in the bathroom or bedroom, but it’s important they are able to get ready in the mornings without having to run through the house to see how they look.

7. Layer the sheets and blankets.  Since a comfortable bed is a big focus for your guest to have a great night’s sleep, multiple layers not only make the bed more cozy, but also gives your guest the option to choose their temperature.

8. Lay out towels.  A neat stack of clean towels not only provides good decor (if the colors remained consistent), but also save your guest from the trouble of rifling through linen closets.

9. Furnish the room with adequate lighting.  Make sure there are nightlights plugged in so that your guest won’t be stumbling around in the dark in an unfamiliar room.  This is especially handy in the bathroom, if that’s connected to the bedroom.

10. Add some plants.  While providing fresh flowers for guests may be costly, you can add a bit of nature into the room by placing  a small potted plant on the window sill or dresser.

Don’t have a guest room in your house?  Or maybe you’ve been looking to upgrade into a new home.  No worries.  Now is the best time to buy a home with the low mortgage rates, home buyer tax credit, and low property values, so take advantage of this buyer’s market before it’s over.

 Printer Friendly Version