22 ways to organising a stylish guest bedroom
Hello friends! Wish you all a joyous New Year! This time I had many guests over Christmas and New Year and as I was setting up the guest bedrooms, I thought to share with you my to-do list for setting up a very special guest bedroom for some very special guests!
1. LIGHTING
I always like to keep the lighting warm and subtle and use table lamps and candles to light the room just before my guests arrive. Also during winter season, I make sure there are enough carpets around the room and that the heating is working.
A neatly organized guest bedroom. Image©gunjanvirk
2. EXTRA CUSHIONS
Using cushions, also adds warmth to the room and makes it look sweet and cosy. I design my own cushion covers using left over fabric pieces and make sure they are matched to the bed linen or the color of the walls. They can also be an accent color that completes the look of the room.
Peach cushion. Image©gunjanvirk
3. EXTRA BLANKETS
Providing extra blankets especially during the winter season is always a great idea. Again, I try as much to maintain the color harmony of the room and match the blanket color to the rest of the room.
Check blanket. Image©gunjanvirk
A warn blanket in rich colors. Image©gunjanvirk
4. A WELCOME NOTE
Sometimes I may write a welcome note also telling the guests about laundry, cleaning, wifi passwords etc.!
A welcome note. Image©gunjanvirk
5. TISSUES AND HAND SANITIZERS
Tissues and hand sanitizers, placed on the bedside table and other places where one may need them, is always a nice, caring thing to do.
Hand Sanitizer and pocket tissue. Image©gunjanvirk
A tissue box. Image©gunjanvirk
6. SMALL INSPIRATIONAL NOTES
Depending on the nature and temperament of my guests, I always like to leave small notes of inspiration randomly placed in the room. This time the inspiration for my notes was the Christmas season.
Small inspirational note. Image©gunjanvirk
Words of inspiration. Image©gunjanvirk
7. ORGANIZING THE BEDSIDE TABLE
a. A lamp that can be switched on and off from the comfort of the bed, an alarm clock, pen and paper, a torchlight, a coaster for morning tea and something to munch on in the middle of the night.....these are a few of my favorite things for the bedside table!
A bedside table with clock. Image©gunjanvirk
b. Books to read before retiring in the night...
Autobiography of a Yogi. Image©gunjanvirk
c. Warm water for drinking when it's cold with a glass (on a coaster), hand tissues...don't forget placing everything on runners or table mats to protect the surface of the tables.
An organized bedside table. Image©gunjanvirk
Warm water card. Image©gunjanvirk
8. AN EMERGENCY LIGHT THAT ALSO ACTS AS A NIGHTLIGHT
Emergency light. Image©gunjanvirk
9. STATIONARY
Pen, paper, post-its, sellotape and anything else that the guests might find useful!
Paper and pen. Image©gunjanvirk
10. AN ALL PURPOSE KIT
An all-purpose kit comprising of scissors, sewing-kit, cotton, ear-plugs, cleaning wipes, medicines, shoe polish etc. is a great thing to have for your guests.
An all purpose kit. Image©gunjanvirk
11. THE TEA-STATION
This one is my favorite. I like to provide different kinds of tea ranging from my favorite chamomile and English Breakfast to earl grey and black tea. Don't forget the milk and creamer and sugar and sugar free (if your guests are diabetic or on a diet!). You may also want to keep some coffee if your guests drink coffee.
A tea-station. Image©gunjanvirk
12. SMALL TREATS IN THE ROOM
Chocolates, cookies, nuts, fruits, fruit juices, smoothies etc. with a plate and cutting knife, fork and spoon is great to indulge your very special guests!
Small treats in the room. Image©gunjanvirk
Something to eat in the room. Image©gunjanvirk
Apples. Image©gunjanvirk
An empty plate with knife, fork and spoon. Image©gunjanvirk
13. COASTERS AND RUNNERS
Make sure to cover the the table-tops with coasters and runners to protect your furniture in the room.
Coasters and runners. Image©gunjanvirk
14. FLOWERS AND CANDLES
I like to put artificial flowers and plants (so that watering is not a problem) and tea-light candles that uplift and brighten the room.
Artificial flowers. Image©gunjanvirk
Candles. Image©gunjanvirk
15. A SANCTUARY FOR THE SOUL
Since it was Christmas season, I made a special sanctuary for Christ above the chest of drawers.
A sanctuary for the soul. Image©gunjanvirk
Statue of Saint Francis of Assisi. Image©gunjanvirk
Candles from Konnersreuth, Germany. Image©gunjanvirk
16. LAUNDRY BAGS
Putting laundry and dry-cleaning bags in the room makes it very convenient for the guests.
Laundry services bag. Image©gunjanvirk
Dry cleaning bag. Image©gunjanvirk
17. TOWELS
Enough towels, hand towels and bath towels are a must-have! I match the colors to the linen or the color of the walls. :)
Bathing towels. Image©gunjanvirk
Cotton bathing towels. Image©gunjanvirk
18. HANGING SPACE
Since I don't actually have a cupboard in the room and just a chest of drawers, I have kept a hangar stand in a small alcove of the room with hangars to hang clothes.
Hangars. Image©gunjanvirk
19. SEATING
A desk and a chair and a sitting arrangement for lounging adds to the room.
Study table and chair. Image©gunjanvirk
20. ROOM SLIPPERS
Room and carpet slippers is essential to protect the flooring of the room. You can also provide extra bathroom slippers placed next to the bathroom mat before entering the bathroom.
Room slippers. Image©gunjanvirk
21. HOT WATER BOTTLES
If it's very cold, I like to have hot water bottles placed in the beds before the guests arrive. It is good to leave a sign on the bed informing the guests about the hot water bottle underneath the quilt. :)
Hot water bottle in bed. Image©gunjanvirk
Note for hot water bottle in bed. Image©gunjanvirk
22. STOCKING UP THE BATHROOM
Make sure you have some nice necessities like shower gels and body creams, shampoo and conditioner, some washing soap, shower caps etc in the bathroom--the guests will really feel cared for. :)
Bath soap in a soap-dish. Image©gunjanvirk