If you’re like me, you have family that lives out of town that will come to stay with you a few times a year. And when that family comes, you want their stay to be as comfortable and enjoyable as possible. In order to achieve this, there are a few guest bedroom must-have items that you
Below are the 10 must-have items in my guest bedrooms and the reasons why they are a must in my opinion.
10 Must-have Guest Bedroom items

1. cozy sheets and layered bedding
Who doesn’t love a great hotel room?
One with a comfy bed, soft sheets, a fluffy, warm duvet, and the perfect pillow…or pillows.
Why not treat your guests to a hotel-like experience in your own home?
When guests come to stay think about recreating a hotel-like experience for them in your own guest bedroom.
Cozy sheets in either cotton or linen are the perfect starting point for a warm, comfy, well-dressed bed.
I love linen in the summer to keep the bed cool. Cotton will add additional warmth and coziness in the cooler months.
From there, layer a couple of thin blankets on top and add a quilt, coverlet or duvet at the bottom of the bed for extra warmth.
By mixing thin and heavy blankets you are able to accommodate different tempts and preferences for sleeping. Allowing your guests the ability to choose how they prefer to sleep.

2. magazines and books
I LOVE to read. It’s typically my go-to activity at night when I’m winding down and getting ready for bed.
To help your guests drift off to sleep, keep a few books and magazines nearby for them to enjoy.
I like to take this one step further by tailoring the selection to their interests.
Even if your guests are not big readers, they will appreciate the thought.
Having magazines on hand will give them something to flip through during downtime or when they need to unwind and relax between visits.

3. room darkening curtains or shades
To accommodate guests sleeping preferences, give them the option to control the amount of natural light in the room.
To achieve this, I suggest at least 2 different window treatments per window but you could do up to 3 if you like.
Layering your window treatments will allow them to adjust the amount of light coming in as they see fit.
A roman shade and/or blackout curtains will allow your guests to completely block out all the light for a good night’s sleep.
Adding in a sheer curtain or swapping out blackout curtains for an unlined option will allow for some beautiful, filtered light to leak into the room on bright sunny days.
If your guests prefer to let the sunlight stream in, all they have to do is roll up the shade and pull back the curtains.
Not only is this super practical, but it makes for a beautiful design detail in the room. Adding dimension and texture to the space.
4. home and tech essentials
There is nothing worse than leaving behind a phone charger or toiletry items at home when traveling.
Put your guests at ease by keeping a stash of the essentials on hand for their use.
Extra toothbrushes and toothpaste, mini bottles of shampoo and conditioner, as well as body wash and lotion are all things that I keep on hand and at the ready.
In addition to a phone charger, keep your wifi password handy and visible for your guests.
This keeps your guests from having to ask and from you having to dig it out if you don’t have it memorized.
I also like to include a box of tissues and a notebook and pen for jotting down notes if needed.
These extra touches show your guests you care and want their stay to be as comfortable as possible.

5. fluffy towels
When I know guests are coming to stay, I like to add a fresh stack of fluffy towels in the room or guest bath for them to use.
Make sure to include bath and hand towels as well as a washcloth to ensure they have everything they need.
Offer a mix of crisp, white and dark towels for your guests to use.
I especially prefer a dark hand towel because it is great for make-up removal. Your guest doesn’t have to deal with a make-up stained towel then.
Length of stay will determine how many to have on hand per guest.
6. storage – closet for hanging, drawers for folded clothes
Another thoughtful gesture that your guests are sure to appreciate is storage for their belongings.
Make room in the closet and dressers for them to hang or store their clothing, shoes, and luggage items.
Having a place to hang or store their folded clothes will help control wrinkles. Every guest will be grateful for this.
It also helps to keep the room clean and clutter-free for your guests. Especially if it’s a smaller room.
If your guests are staying for more than a few days, this allows them to really settle in and creates a sense of being at home.
7. pillow Options
Everyone has a different preference for the type of pillow(s) they prefer to sleep with.
Some like fluffy, full pillows, while others prefer something completely flat or barely there.
To make your guests happy, offer up a couple of different pillow options for them to use on the bed.
I like to offer a firmer pillow and a softer, feather down or down alternative one.
They can choose their preference for sleep or use both to prop themselves up for reading.

8. nightstand and task light
These are guest bedroom MUST-HAVES for sure.
I prefer nightstands with a drawer. This allows for stowing small, essential items away and containing clutter.
A light within arms reach is perfect for reading or writing with until your guest is ready to drop off into sleep. They won’t have to deal with a harsh, overhead light when trying to wind down for the night. Nor will they have to get out of bed to turn the light off.
Task lighting also helps to create a cozy and inviting vibe in the room in the evening.
I talked about the importance of lighting when creating a sanctuary in your home here and it applies to your guest bedrooms as well.
9. wastebasket
Not glamorous but in my opinion, a necessary guest bedroom must-have essential is a wastebasket.
Your guests are going to have trash.
Give them a place to put it.
They will be grateful for an uncluttered, non-messy space and so will you!
10. fan
Last but not least, the final item that I think is a necessity in a guest bedroom is some sort of fan.
Whether it’s a ceiling or free-standing, tabletop version, they are perfect for circulating air and regulating the temp for your guests.
In addition, they also act as white noise within the space.
This makes it easier for your guests to fall asleep and blocks out any outside noise.
There you have it. The 10 must-have items every guest bedroom should have. Add these to your bedrooms and you too will have some very happy and content guests!

Want more? You may like my post on the 10 essential home items I can’t live without.
Tell me below what items are a MUST in your guest bedrooms!
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