Guest Room Checklist: 6 Moves to Make Before Holiday Guests Arrive
The short answer
A guest-ready room has a clear path around the bed, a lamp on each side, a place to unpack, a stocked bath and the Wi-Fi password in plain sight. Sleep in it one night before anyone arrives and you’ll see exactly what it needs.
Where Do Guests Spend Their Quiet Hours?
Holiday guests are on their way, and here in Southwest Florida, season brings visitors right behind them. Most hosts focus on the entry and the dining table (we covered those in our Thanksgiving home decor post). The guest room is where your guests actually unwind, so it deserves the same care.
Send this to whoever is hosting this year.
The Guest Room Checklist in 6 Moves
Every move below is something you can do this week, before the first suitcase rolls in.
Move 1
Sleep in It First
Spend one night in the guest room before anyone arrives. You’ll notice the street light through the blinds, the lamp that’s just out of reach and the closet with no hangers.
Quick check: lie down, turn off the lights. Can you reach a lamp?
Move 2
Clear a Path Around the Bed
Leave at least 24 inches on each side of the bed a guest will use, and 30 to 36 inches if the room allows. That’s enough space to walk, make the bed and open a nightstand drawer in the dark.
Tight room? The bench or extra chair can live in the closet for the visit.
Move 3
Light the Bedside
Give each side of the bed its own lamp, so no one crosses the room to find a switch. Set the nightstand top within about 2 inches of the mattress top, so a phone and a glass of water are an easy reach.
We use warm 2700K bulbs around 800 lumens, the 60 watt equivalent, which is bright enough to read by. More on why 2700K feels calm in our living room layout post.
Quick add: a small plug-in night light along the path to the bathroom.
Move 4
Make Room to Unpack
Guests settle in faster when they can unpack, even for a three-night stay.
- A luggage rack or bench, so suitcases come off the floor
- One empty drawer and a cleared section of the closet
- 8 to 10 empty hangers
- A hook by the door for a robe or a beach bag
Move 5
Stock the Guest Bath
- A bath towel, hand towel and washcloth for each guest
- A hook or bar for every towel, so each one dries between uses in our humidity
- Extra toilet paper where it’s easy to find
- A small basket with toothpaste, a spare toothbrush, sunscreen and a few hair ties
Move 6
Make Arrival Easy
A small framed card on the nightstand with the Wi-Fi name and password answers the first question everyone asks. If you have a smart lock, set a temporary code for the visit and delete it when they head home.
Quick add: a short note on the thermostat and the shades, so guests can settle in on their own schedule.
24 in
Minimum walkway on each side of the bed a guest uses
2 in
Nightstand top within this of the mattress top
800
Lumens per bedside lamp, in warm 2700K
Opening a Seasonal Home for Guests?
If the house sat closed for the summer, start a few days early. Run the air conditioning and check the humidity.
Wash any stored linens, open the windows on a dry morning and bring in something fresh, like eucalyptus or a few stems from the market.
Hosting This Season?
If you’d like a plan for your own guest room, start with a Design Consultation.
Guest Room Checklist FAQ
What Should Every Guest Room Have?
A comfortable bed with a lamp on each side, a clear path around it, a place to unpack, a stocked bath and the Wi-Fi password in plain sight.
How Much Space Do You Need Around a Guest Bed?
At least 24 inches on each side a guest uses, and 30 to 36 inches when the room allows.
How High Should a Nightstand Be?
Within about 2 inches of the top of the mattress, so everything on it is an easy reach from bed.
What Humidity Should a Closed-Up Home Be Kept At?
The EPA recommends below 60%, ideally between 30% and 50%.
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