3 things I always add to make my guest room feel like a 5-star hotel — and they're all under $50
Because my in-laws need a cozy room this Christmas
If your home doesn't feel inviting to guests over the holidays, then when will it? Truly the most cozy time of the year, I love Christmas. But, on a real note, I am hosting my in-laws this Holiday season, and currently my guest bedroom is filled with (thankfully, wrapped) presents, and the bed they are supposed to be sleeping in is still sitting firmly in its IKEA box. The joys of December, eh?
The bed will be built this weekend, and the mattress is set to be unrolled and the linen on shortly after. After that, though, it's those thoughtful little touches I need to think about. Beyond a nightstand, a lamp, a mirror and some family photos, I've been thinking about what I really need to add to this space, to make it feel like a home away from home for them.
That's when it struck me: these are the 3 items that I always wish I had with me when staying at friends' or families' homes, during the holidays or at any other time of the year.
Add these bits to your guest room and listen out as they thank you for going the extra mile — it might even put you back on Santa's Nice List.
3 guest room buys to give it a 5-star feel for the Holidays
1. A carafe and two glasses — for bedside water
The ultimate addition to your guest room nightstand, fill this with water ahead of their arrival, and this way, your guests won't have to come back downstairs to make themselves a drink in the night.
A welcoming buy for a nightstand, plus it looks good, too. The one I found at Amazon comes as a set of two, each with a matching glass, so that you can place one either side of the bed.
If you do only have one nightstand, then use one carafe and two glasses and save the other to use as a vase.
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The ribbed design of this carafe and glass set is what will give your guest room some added luxury. Placed on your nightstand with a lamp and some reading material, this will look 5-star.
2. A foldable luggage rack (with extra storage compartments)
This genius find from Amazon isn't just a handy place to put an open suitcase, to avoid unpacking for a short amount of time, but it offers extra storage in the form of storage compartments.
These holes are great for using to put their towels, shoes, and even toiletries in, to keep them in easy reach. Place this at the bottom of your guest room bed to help make their stay more seamless, and don't forget: it folds away once they're gone, so that you can slide it under the bed and forget about it until next time.
This genius piece of furniture is made from bamboo and its foldable design isn't the only great thing about it. It also comes in white and it's nice and lightweight, for easy moving around your guest room.
3. A fully universal plug — in case they forget their chargers!
A game-changer for a spare room (and to take on vacation, too!), this universal plug can charge literally anything. Just in case your guests remember their phone wire but forget the plug, this can charge multiple things at one time, all for an affordable price.
It's a handy just-in-case buy, especially over the festive season, and if you're light on sockets in your guest room, too.
With 3 USB ports, 2 USB-C ports and 1 universal outlet, this plug transforms to work with type A, C, G, or I outlets. It also comes with a spare fuse.
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Annie is a freelancer at Tom's Guide. She's been an Editor at various home magazines for 7 years — reviewing and writing about everything from cleaning products to air fryers and mattresses. Annie started her career at Real Homes as Deals Editor in 2018 and by 2020 she was the UK Shopping Editor at Livingetc, Homes & Gardens, and Ideal Home. She was in charge of the majority of eCommerce content on these sites, including reviews and buying guides. Now, as a freelancer, she writes features, reviews, and guides for several brands including BBC Good Food, Ideal Home, and Parade Home & Garden.
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