Preparing for Guests- 22 Things Your Guests Want! - Nesting With Grace (2024)

Thank you Walmart for sponsoring this post I had maybe 1,000 responses when I asked “What do you want as a guest”.And after reading all your responses I feel like I need to apologize to previous guests! I did pretty well but there were some essential things that I missed having in our guest room. Even if you don’t have a dedicated guest room there are things you can do to any space to make it comfortable for your guests to stay over. But some did say to make it slightly uncomfortable so guests don’t stay too long! ha! Or one sweet reader said “just grandkids”! ❤️

I actually have wanted to have my own bed and breakfast so I enjoy playing pretend. The main thing you should walk- away from this blog post knowing is- Guests HATE to have to ask for things. Honestly. NO matter how well they know you. I totally get that. At my parents I can help myself but there are things that would be nice if it was just readily accessible without having to hunt or ask for it. Many of us don’t have a room specifically for guests. I would suggest creating a dedicated space with a door when guests do come. Maybe kicking kids out of their room and the kids come sleep on a mattresses on your bedroom floor. I would suggest cleaning your kids room really well and even put away personal items so guests can use the empty surfaces.

We personally get guest about once a month and they stay for about 4-5 days. So we make our family room upstairs into our guest room. We have it fully stocked (now even more so after reading your tips!) for when guests come. Let’s dig right into the list! I only listed the top 22 items that kept coming up over and over. The suggestions that I thought….YES, that is such a good suggestion!

Thank you for contributing to this list! I shopped Wamart.com for the items I was missing in our guest room! They really have one of the best website’s to shop online. I have been checking their site more and more because of the variety and price point. Their Better Homes and Garden Collection is one of my favorites. I think you will love some of the affordable pieces I found to get your guest room ready and home!

We have a bookcase in our family room that doubles as a guest room. The bookcase had some accessories in it, nothing really special at all. It was not being maximized. So I decided to turn it into our “guest bookcase”. Anyone can do something like this. Doesn’t have to be big. Even a “guest room drawer”. Just a place that you keep all the guest room things in one spot. *We have had that bookcase for a long time. Find similar options at the end of this post.

22 Things your Guests Want in a Guest Room-

#1- Wifi Password-The #1 thing that everyone said a guest room needs is easy access to the Wifi password! I just painted the back of THIS frame that I found at Walmart with chalkboard paint. Then wrote our password on the chalkboard. Easy way to change it up! And also create some art.

#2- Extra blankets and #3- Books – Blankets seem obvious, but having them washed and stacked nicely make them seem more accessible.Books are another guest room must-have. I put a few of my favs and one about the area we live.

#4- FloorLengthMirror – I can’t believe we didn’t have afloor mirror in here! How rude! Notonly to check outoutfits but it also creates another “get ready” station. I found THISmirror on Walmarts website. I also found THIS mirror to hang over the door in the bathroom, so affordable and looks so good in person too!

#5-Water and a few easy to grab snacks- Candy jar, healthy snacks and water are a super nice gesture for guests. (I used THESE jars).

#6-Essential items in a basket– Kleenex, toothpaste, socks, eye mask, makeup wipes, Tylenol, lotion. I assembled it all together in a basket I found at WalmartHERE.

#7- Nice sheets – I would look for a thread count of atleast 300. I found THESE cute black dot sheets at Walmart to along with the grayblanket HERE. Aren’t they so cute?? I love a patterned sheet and don’t have any. A guest room is the perfect spot to use playful sheets!

We have had the pull-out sofa since we moved in. We actually had to have it sawed in half and put back together in the room. It wouldn’t fit up our stairs! So it stays with the house when we move! I found a similar pull-out sofa HERE.

#8-Assorted pillow options– We used the pillows that were on the bed too and the main sleeping pillows are THESE. They are Kevin’s favorite pillow. I finally bought one for me as well! They are cool gel and memory foam. Honestly the best pillows. Excited our guests have some too.

#9- Phone Charger (extension cord is a good thing to offer too)– We have a plug built into the desk that is behind the sofa. I made sure to put two phone chargers in it and labeled them with our name, just to avoid confusion.

#10- Hooks to hang bangs and clothes on –THESE I really don’t love a hook on the wall. Call me weird. They often feel cluttered looking at all the bags etc. So I found hooks that go over the door for our guests to use. And added them to the back of Ella’s little Lego closet.

#11- Luggage stand– Sadly I didn’t have this until now! I found THIS fun cane one on Walmarts website too!They really have one of the best website’s to shop online. I have been checking their site more and more because of the variety and price point. Their Better Homes and Garden Collection is one of my favorites.

#12-Laundry basket or extra empty baskets around– I love the idea of just having a couple extra empty baskets for guests to pile their shoes in or anything they want to contain. Love THIS basket I just found!

#13-Sound machine– Another brilliant idea! A sound machine is something I ALWAYS travel with, especially with kids. But after sleeping with one (when we stay over night with kids) I LOVE it! Such a game changer in sleeping in new places. (we have THIS one).

#14- Fan – Another highly recommended item. Everyones body temperature is so different. If you don’t have a ceiling fan you could get a table fan. I really likeTHISnew ceiling fan! OrTHISretro table fan.

#15- Lamps –Floor lamps, reading lamps are kind of key to a cozy space. I rarely like an overhead light on- we should give our guests that option too!

#16- Candle and flowers or plants – I have a friend who always travels with a little candle to burn in her hotel room or where she stays. I just love that about her. It makes the space smell like home. I have matches in the “guest bookcase” and candle around the room. I personally love to decorate with plants and in this guest room that is all that I really used for the “accessories”.

#17- Robe – Moving onto the bathroom! A robe for guests to borrow while they stay is super thoughtful. I know I like to do my hair and makeup in a robe. So offering a basic robe like THIS is a nice touch.

#18- Towels – this might be one of my top things to have for guests. Nice clean quality towels! I have our bathroom shelves stocked with THESE towels. I have eight total in here and some washcloths. We have separate towels down in our master hall closet. PS- I keep them white by using Oxyclean White Revive.

#19- Plenty of toilet paper and room spray –Can you imagine being on the toilet at a guests and run out of toilet paper?? Worst fear. We have a big basket by our toilet full of toilet paper and a container of room spray. Please do this for your guest!

#20- Plunger in Bathroom – And save them one more step from embarrassment by getting a plunger IN the bathroom. We had one down in our basem*nt! Now that was dumb. I bought two of THESE and spray painted them black. Problem solved. And I will add get a trash can with a LID!!

#21 –Cleaned off surfaces clear from personal items- this is a good tip. I would clean off surfaces and put in a tote-and even try with less after your guests leave! And I would add to clean and declutter any drawer or cupboard or closet that a guest might open in the guest bathroom and guest room.

I hope that gave you some ideas for your guest room! Even in a small house we can have a place to welcome friends and family. Nothing really brings you closer then being under one roof. All of your suggestions really helped me to up my game in the guest room department! And remember- “Let no one ever come to you without leaving HAPPIER!”- Mother Theresa

I love shopping all brands and have found Walmart.com to have some on trend pieces that are very affordable! Highly recommended shopping their website for your guest room needs! You can also shop for pieces by style HERE making it easy to narrow down all the options. I liked their “industrial” collection. Free shipping on orders over $35 and no membership required!

Click on an image below to shop any of the sources on today’s post-