In India, you may have heard the phrase Atithi Devo Bhava – which means ‘consider the guest as god’. Even since ancient times, treating guests well has been an important part of Indian culture and is still the case today. In fact, the Ministry of Tourism in India has even used the phrase as its tagline.
We’ve previously talked about how to create a welcoming, Indian style dining room or living area – but what happens when your guests decide to stay overnight? They’ll need somewhere to sleep, so consider decorating your spare room and turning it into a warm and welcoming guest room that your visitors will love. Here’s how!
1. Use colours that almost anyone will enjoy.
While you may enjoy specific bright colours or bold dark walls, those shades may not be to everyone’s taste. Your best bet when it comes to a guest room is to go neutral, enhanced with small pops of colour that everyone can get on board with.
Choose a neutral tone for the walls and add colour through textiles for an interesting look that isn’t overwhelming. For the colours, try warm tones such as red and orange to create a positive, welcoming atmosphere.
2. Make sure there is space for them to put away their items overnight.
Your guest won’t want to be constantly tripping over their bags or suitcases, so make sure they have space to unpack.
This should include a space to store their luggage, as well as drawers or closet space for them to unpack their clothes, toiletries and other essentials. Remember – the goal is to make them feel at home, not as if they’re living from a suitcase on their travels.
3. Ensure they have a comfortable place to sleep.
The comfort of your guests is important, especially as they sleep. We all need a comfortable bed to ensure a good night’s rest, so make sure the bed is of good quality with a soft, comfy mattress.
4. Always make sure the bedding, blankets and pillow cases are clean for each guest.
It’s courteous to ensure that the bedroom – as well as all bedding within it, are clean for each guest. If you have planned guests, make sure you clean it before they arrive.
Additionally, it is a good idea to keep the guest room clean and tidy at all times – just in case any unexpected guests arrive.
5. Provide small gifts for your guests to use.
Providing small essentials for your guests to use is a great way to show them how welcome they are and how you’re willing to ensure they have a comfortable stay. Ideas include:
- Travel sized toiletries such as shower gel, shampoo, conditioner and toothpaste – just like the miniatures you’d find in a hotel.
- A small snack or treat for them to enjoy if they’re peckish, such as a biscuit or a piece of fresh fruit.
- Bottled water to ensure they stay hydrated – especially if they get thirsty at night and may not wish to disturb the household.
- Reading the material, such as a magazine or newspaper for your guest to enjoy as they relax.
6. Add some fresh flowers in a vase.
Fresh flowers are a great way to brighten up a room and are sure to make your guests feel welcome. They create a special – almost luxurious – touch that’s always appreciated, which is why flowers are often given as a gift.
You don’t have to go all out and purchase an expensive bouquet, though. Even a simple bunch will do the job beautifully.
7. Include a source of entertainment.
Some people like to watch television in their bedroom in the evenings, while others like to switch on the news as soon as they wake up. Some might not even like to watch anything. But whichever they prefer, your guests will be appreciative of the fact you’ve included a source of entertainment, even if they choose not to use it.
This doesn’t have to be expensive. A small, affordable television could be perfect, or perhaps you could use an old one after upgrading it.
However, entertainment doesn’t have to be digital. You could also take the idea of reading material a little further and provide a selection of books for your guest to read.
8. Leave a note sharing the Wi-Fi password.
Taking into account the fact data is an important part of today’s lifestyle, it’s probable that your guest owns a smartphone, tablet or other digital devices that they’d like to use during their stay. Save them the trouble of using up their data by providing them with the Wi-Fi password on a simple note in their room. This way, they’ll be able to enjoy access without having to ask and will feel right at home as they stay connected and catch up on the digital world.
Additionally, while on the topic of devices, you could also leave a few spare chargers in the room – just in case your guest forgot to bring theirs. These can be bought very cheaply, so you may wish to include one that fits Apple devices and one universal connector that will suit most Androids.
By ensuring your guests are well taken care of, you can guarantee that they’ll enjoy the time they spend at your home and will see you as an excellent host. They’ll probably want to come and stay again very soon!
What are your favourite ways to enhance your guest room and make sure your guests feel at home? Share your ideas in the comments – we’d love to hear all of your great ideas!
