Holiday Guest Room Prep

Comfort Is: A Cozy Guest Room

How to create a comfortable, welcoming space for holiday guests this season.

It’s that time again, the season of overlapping calendar invites, rogue tinsel, menorahs in windows, Diwali lights still twinkling, and Mariah hitting that high note in every public space imaginable. Nearly 65 percent of the country plans to travel over the holidays this year, and if you’re hosting — family, friends, maybe that college roommate who actually did take you up on your offer — you’re probably eyeing the guest room with mild panic. Or, more accurately, the space that’s currently pulling triple duty as a part-time office, storage unit, and full-time laundry drop zone.

Here’s the good news: you don’t need to turn your home into a Nancy Meyers set to make people feel welcome. A made bed. A spot to drop a suitcase. Some soft lighting. (No one needs to know you were frantically tossing stuff into the closet five minutes before they walked in.)

Below, a few of our favorite ways to make your guests feel at home this holiday season.

Photo courtesy of Avocado.

It All Starts with Sleep

If the bed’s not comfortable, the rest doesn’t really matter. Start with the layers: crisp, cool sheets; something soft and cozy on top (a quilt, a blanket, maybe both); and a mix of pillows, some firm, some not, because people will have opinions. Toss a throw at the foot of the bed — it looks nice, sure, but it’s also useful for middle-of-the-night temperature swings.If the mattress has seen better days, a good topper can buy you some time. Or maybe this is your sign to finally replace it.

Climate control matters more than you think. Leave out an extra blanket, show people how the thermostat works (write it down, no one wants to guess), and if your house runs cold, a pair of fuzzy socks never hurts. A small touch, but a good one.

Start Fresh

Give the room a once-over: dust the surfaces, vacuum the corners, swap in fresh bedding (yes, even if it looks clean). Guests can absolutely tell when the sheets have been marinating in closet air for six months. If your guest has a pet allergy, open the windows, run a lint roller over soft surfaces, and make a deal with your cat — they can have their favorite nap pillow back after New Year’s.

Then: edit. Move the yoga mat, the stack of unopened mail, the leaning tower of books you’ve been meaning to read. For guests, clutter doesn’t equal comfort, it can feel like they’re intruding. You don’t need to make it perfect, just intentional. A clear surface, a little breathing room, and suddenly it feels like the space was made for them.

Small Touches, Big Comfort

Set up a bedside table (if you don’t have one, a stool works just fine) with a reading lamp and a carafe of water. Add a stack of books or magazines, toss in a phone charger, and just like that, you’re officially the host of the season.
Leave a short note with helpful info about your home: where to find extra towels and toiletries, how to work the remote, and any quirks about the thermostat or shower. Write the Wi-Fi password on a notecard (bonus points if it’s festive).
Fresh towels should be front and center, the fluffier, the better, and a small basket with essentials — think: spare toothbrush, toothpaste, hand cream — goes a long way.
Hosting little ones? A porta-crib, travel cot, or even a fun sleeping bag can be a lifesaver for parents already juggling overtired toddlers and way too much gear. And yes, do a quick childproofing pass if needed. Outlet covers and a tucked-away lamp cord can mean the difference between a relaxing stay and a low-key disaster.

A pro tip from the doyenne of holiday hosting: “Even if your guests have visited your home before, don’t skip the tour,” says Martha Stewart. Walk them through the essentials: how to use the TV and remotes, where to find streaming passwords, how the coffee maker works, and whether the fireplace is real or just for vibes. A few minutes of guidance now saves your guests from awkward guesswork later, and makes the whole stay feel smoother.

Photo courtesy of Avocado.

Add Some (Cohesive) Cheer

Ideally, the room feels like an extension of the rest of your home: warm, relaxed, a little festive but not overdone (unless that’s your whole vibe, in which case, go wild). For the rest of us, a seasonal pillow, a wintery candle, or a small garland is more than enough.

A note on scents: even the best-intentioned candle can be a deal-breaker. Strong or artificial smells linger, and not always in a good way. Stick to subtle, natural scents, or skip them entirely.

Optional, but Appreciated

These aren’t musts, but they go a long way in making your guest feel cared for:

A white noise machine or small fan can be a game-changer, especially when the house is buzzing with holiday noise and late-night dishwashing.
A robe or pair of slippers tucked in the closet? It’s a small gesture, but one that registers.
A soft nightlight helps, especially for guests navigating unfamiliar hallways to find the bathroom at 2am.
A folding luggage rack, if you have one, keeps things off the floor and makes unpacking easier.
A little snack basket never hurts. (If you know your guest has a sweet tooth, include some seasonal treats!)

At its best, a holiday guest room doesn’t need to be perfect, it just needs to feel welcoming and considered. A place to settle in, even with all the seasonal chaos swirling around. One that says, we’re so glad you’re here.

Photo courtesy of Avocado.

Have feedback on our story? Email [email protected] to let us know what you think!

Karin is a Seattle-based writer and editor. She writes on mental health and wellness, travel, and social impact, and edits fiction on the side. When she's not on assignment, you'll find her exploring the Pacific Northwest or planning her next trip.

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