15 Easy Ways to Make Your Guests Feel Welcome

With vaccinations moving quickly and the country opening up again, it won’t be long until travel restrictions are completely lifted as well.  That means guests will be arriving at your home in the not so distant future. I know I am more than ready to have some company! Making a guest feel welcome is more than clean sheets and fluffy towels. It’s the little touches that are so quick and easy but have such an impact. With that in mind, here are 15 easy ways to make your guests feel welcome.

1. Give Them a Sign

Nothing starts a visit off better than to know you’re wanted. There are so many adorable signs in every store right now meant to accomplish that very thing. Be our guest, stay awhile, get cozy... I love them all! Amazingly, I have resisted every one so far. I do however, have a chalkboard sign that I personalize for every visitor. It’s a simple welcome … but it’s a great first impression! Since my guest room is done with a coastal motif, I’ve added a few nautical signs as well. I’ve linked a few of my favorite guest room signs below.

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2. Give Them Space

I don’t know the set up of your home, but for me, the closet in the guest room is very much in use.  It doubles as extra storage space for winter coats, seasonal wall decor, and a host of other odds and ends.  I do not move everything but I do make sure there are clothes hangers and room to store suitcases if they choose to unpack.  Likewise, the dresser is empty.  Nothing is more uncomfortable then living out of a suitcase so I make sure they have another option!

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Give them space has another meaning as well. Depending on where you live you may have visitors that are coming for a specific reason. Being in Colorado, during a normal year we have friends that come in the summer to hike and the winter to ski. Some are old friends of ours and others are friends of our kids or family. Since we have offered up our guest room in place of a hotel, I want to make sure they feel comfortable coming and going as they wish. We make sure they have the front door code, a porch light to greet them, and our assurances they won’t disturb us!

3. Give Them Warmth

 I like to think of myself as a low maintenance guest when I’m traveling.  Which means, if I’m cold at night, I will suffer in silence.  I will make the best of the situation but I cringe at the thought of someone doing that at my home.  To make sure that doesn’t happen, I leave an extra blanket on the bed.  I also make sure there are different types of pillows on the bed to choose from. Firm, soft, feather… your choice!

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4. Give Them a Connection

Chances are that your guest will arrive with a laptop, iPad, or Kindle in tow. Make sure it is always easy to connect in your home. You’ll want to make sure the WiFi password is front and center. I’ve added mine to a cute little sign.

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5. Give Them a Charge

There is nothing more frustrating then having a dead cell phone and trying to find a place to charge it in an unfamiliar setting. A pretty charging station would be nice but simply having a visible power strip is good enough.

6. Give Them Light

A good reading light is important to everyone. A bedside lamp will be so appreciated. Night lights are a bonus as well. The path from the bedroom to the bath is second nature to you but to a guest it’s foreign territory. While some people might prefer complete darkness, most will appreciate having the option.

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7. Give Them Sustenance

Of course you said to help yourself to anything you need. It’s a given. We all say that. But invariably it goes in one ear and out the other. Would you wake your hosts up at midnight to let them know you’re hungry??? If it’s family or close friends,  I do not worry as much.  If they need something they will ask.  But my goal is to make sure they have no reason to.  I always leave a basket of snacks in their room.  A welcome basket so to speak.  If our guest is someone we know well, the basket will have their favorites.  If not, a basket of fruit, nuts, or chocolates will solve the problem.

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8. Give Them Reflection

A full length mirror in a guest room is a must. Most guests will not feel comfortable walking through your home to find one. Make it easy.

9. Give Them Information

These days most everyone has all the information they need at their fingertips with their cell phones. Still, depending on the reason for their visit, I try to make sure they have phone numbers and recommendations at their fingertips. I keep numbers for various ski resorts and rentals handy. Likewise, maps for some of Colorado’s hiking trails are handy too.

10. Give Them Comfort

Of course no one wants a guest to hurt themselves in your home. Highly unlikely but it could happen. Especially when little ones are visiting. A skinned knee or elbow, or a fever can be traumatic when you’re away from home. I make sure a first aid kit is handy for bumps and bruises and Tylenol for everything else. I keep them on one of the highest shelves in the guest bathroom linen closet. Away from curious little hands but highly visible to Mom and Dad. I make sure to have a boo boo bunny or two as well!

11. Give Them Fun

When considering these 15 easy ways to make your guests feel welcome, it’s important to understand the reason for their visit. Sometimes a guest is visiting your home simply because they need a break from theirs. These are not the kind of guests who want to go sightseeing every day or out to dinner every night. This is the guest that doesn’t ask for anything and really just needs some “me” time. I make sure to have some magazines and novels on hand and a basket of coloring books and crayons for any little ones visiting.

12. Give Them Atmosphere

For me, nothing sets a welcoming atmosphere more then a beautiful scent. I make sure to fill the diffuser that is always in this room with a seasonal scent. A bathroom candle is a must as well. It’s best to always ask your visitors ahead of time about allergies. It’s important if we will be cooking but also I know several people that get headaches from different scents. If none of these apply you can bet I will be firing up the diffuser before they arrive!

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13. Give Them Time

This is another thing with multiple meanings. Although just about everyone has an alarm clock on their cell phone these days, I still put one in my guest room. Whether they use it or not, it’s there.

But giving someone time means much more than that. Part of making sure a guest feels welcome in your home is to give them your time. Planning a nice evening with cocktails on the deck and a lovely dinner lets them know how much they mean to you. After traveling all day, a little pampering with a home cooked meal is always so appreciated.

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14. Give Them What They Need

With all the restrictions on what you can travel with these days, I make sure to have all the necessities needed for a worry free visit. The shower is stocked with shampoos conditioners, and soaps. A basket on the sink has everything else they need. I’m sharing my list below.

• toothbrush and toothpaste
• mouthwash and floss
• razors
• lotions
• deodorant
• hair dryer
• shower cap
• face cleansing wipes
• cotton balls and Q-tips
• safety pins and sewing kit
• bobbi pins
• nail clippers
• Clorox Wipes
• Purse size hand sanitizer
• disposable masks

15. Give Them Joy

Last but certainly not least, nothing says welcome like fresh flowers.  Such a nice touch and so appreciated. In the spring and summer months, I will simply cut some out back and arrange them in a mason jar or pretty vase. Nothing extravagant but oh so welcoming!

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I hope you’ve found this list of 15 easy ways to make your guests feel welcome helpful! More than that, I hope you have a houseful of family and friends in the very near future. The hardest part of 2020 for most everyone was the separation from the people we love. It seems we are on our way to making that just a bad memory!

My guest room is ready for what I hope will be a steady stream of visitors this summer. The links above may be useful if you are doing a guest room refresh too. Be sure to check out the CREATE THE LOOK section of the blog if coastal decor is part of your plan! I will be adding new nautical prints to the Printable Library very soon as well. Keep in mind that everything there is free for subscribers to download and print.

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Thanks for stopping by. See you soon!