After tackling the kitchen in this Get Organized Checklist Series, we’re going to move onto an easier room as our reward. This week, use this Get Organized Checklist for Your Guest Room to tidy up the one room in your house that will likely stay that way the longest.
If you are fortunate enough to have space for a dedicated guest room, this room will only see occasional use. As a result, your organizing efforts will reap long-term benefits.
How to Organize Your Guest Room
Compared to the other spaces in our home we’ve organized, the guest room should be a breeze. Unless you were using the guest room for something else, there shouldn’t be much to do.
Clear and Clean
The first thing we need to do is create a clean slate. So, remove EVERYTHING from shelves, drawers, and flat surfaces. Then, wipe out all the drawers and clean all the surfaces.
Go through all of the items and remove any that don’t serve a purpose in the guest room. Place remaining items in appropriate spaces using the guidelines below.
Bed
The bed is an obvious necessity in the room where your guests will be sleeping. To help them get a GOOD night’s sleep, remember these things:
- Lots of pillows – This makes it more comfortable when your guest wants to sit up and read in bed, plus it allows you to provide a variety of pillows so your guests can find one that is most comfortable to them
- Extra blanket – Some people are “hot” sleepers and others like to bundle up. Lay an extra blanket on top of the bed cover at the foot of the bed so guests who need more layers can easily make the adjustment at night
- Waterproof mattress pad – Not only will an extra layer make the bed more comfortable, a waterproof mattress pad
will protect your mattress from accidental spills or a bedwetting incident in the case of young overnight guests
will protect your mattress from accidental spills or a bedwetting incident in the case of young overnight guestsNightstand
In my opinion, other than the bed, a bedside table
is the most important piece of furniture in the guest room. This tiny piece of furniture plays an important part in making your guests’ stay comfortable since it gives a home to these things:
- Lamp – So your guest can relax by reading before bed and not have to get up to turn off the overhead light when they’re ready to sleep
- Alarm Clock – Being in a different bed is disorienting and many people don’t sleep well so this makes it easy for them to see the time and to wake up on their schedule
- Tissues – Many people suffer congestion or allergies when they travel and they always appreciate having tissues readily available
- Personal Space – The flat surface of a bedside table is the perfect place for guests to set their book, cell phone, and/or glasses
– So your guest can relax by reading before bed and not have to get up to turn off the overhead light when they’re ready to sleep
– Being in a different bed is disorienting and many people don’t sleep well so this makes it easy for them to see the time and to wake up on their scheduleDresser
Ideally, your guest room will have a small dresser. You don’t need a lot of drawer space. I like to keep spare linens and blankets in two of the drawers. Then, I leave two drawers empty for our guests to use for their items. It helps your guests feel more at home when they don’t have to live out of their suitcase.
Keep the top of the dresser clear to provide your guests with a flat surface to lay some of their items (e.g. keys, wallet, paperwork).
Mirror
If the dresser isn’t one with a mirror, consider hanging a full-sized mirror
on the back of the guest room door or a smaller one
at eye-level. Your guests will want to look their best when they greet you so make it easy for them to give themselves a once-over.
Hooks
Unless you have an empty closet in your guest room where guests can hang things, over-the-door hooks
and wall hooks
are a nice alternative. They provide convenient places for your guests to hang their jackets, bags, and clothes on hangars.
Wastebasket
Your guests will need somewhere to toss their used tissues. Keep a small wastebasket somewhere in the room so your guests don’t have to try to sneak their garbage through the house to the kitchen or bathroom wastebasket.
Bathroom Items
If your guest is staying long enough to need a bed to sleep in, then your guest will also want to be able to take a shower during their stay. At a minimum, you should provide:
- A clean set of towels
- Shampoo and conditioner
- Body wash
- Toothpaste
If you want to score bonus points, you can stock these items too:
- Lotion
- Spare toothbrushes
- Mouthwash
- Floss
- Disposable razors
- Shaving cream
- Deodorant
- Cotton swabs
- Feminine hygiene products
- Pain reliever
- Hair dryer
I shop the travel size section at the store and basically buy one of everything to put in a basket for my guests.
Extras
If you provide all of the basic from above, your guests will be comfortable and well-provided for during their stay. If you want to turn their visit into a relaxing retreat, you can also add these items to your guest room:
- Snacks
- Bottled water
- Universal charger
- WiFi password
- Reading material
- Brochures and maps of local tourist attractions
- Artwork
- Fresh flowers or a pretty plant
Printable Get Organized Checklist for Your Guest Room
Ready to get your guest room ready for visitors? Print off the checklist and get started!