Company's Coming
Your 6-Step Plan for the Perfect Guest Bed
Your best friend from college just called... or your parents... or your favorite cousins... to say they're coming to town for a few days. "You're staying with us, of course," you say. And you'll mean it sincerely - because whether you've got a comfy sofabed or an actual guest bedroom to offer them, you'll be the host with the most once you've followed these six simple tips to make the guest bed a five-star experience.
1. Start with cozy basics. Lie down on the mattress. Is it as inviting as you remember? A memory foam mattress pad can dramatically improve the comfort of any mattress. Pick up a traditional mattress pad, too, for an extra cushion of softness.
2. Plump the pillows. How are they holding up? Toss any squashed, lumpy pillows and replace them with both firm and soft options to please side sleepers, back sleepers, and stomach sleepers. To avoid allergic reactions, go with synthetic fill pillows.
3. Bring in the blankets. Have at least two for your guests to use: one on the bed and another nearby in case of a chilly evening. With one cotton and one fleece option, you'll please just about any guest who spends the night.
4. Get chic with a comforter. Here, it's all about decorating your way. Select a solid color comforter, or choose one of our popular brand name patterns. If you prefer, you can also give a favorite comforter a new look with a colorful, washable duvet cover. This way, your comforter will always look fresh and perfectly coordinated to the room.
5. Add all the extras. A decorative pillow or two and a patterned throw express your personal taste in any space, quickly and easily.
6. Give it a "test rest." Before guests arrive, spend a night in your own guest bed. It's the best way to figure out how to fine-tune the comfort level of the bed - and the entire room, too. It can be quite an eye-opener, literally, if morning sunlight is striking you in the face unexpectedly. Room-darkening curtains will solve that problem in a jiffy.
No separate guest room? If guests will be using a family member's room or crashing on the sofabed, all the more reason to provide a little extra comfort and convenience. Fresh sheets and towels, room-darkening curtains, and new pillows will be welcome finds at the end of a long day of sightseeing or catching up with family.
And remember: any and all of these tips will instantly spruce up your own room, too! Why not treat yourself as well as your favorite guests?
Don't Forget the Guest Bath!
Finally, stock the medicine cabinet with the little things guests tend to forget to pack. Toothbrushes, disposable razors, contact lens solution, and aspirin and paper cups help guests feel right at home... and seal your reputation as the ultimate host.
