Part I: Bedroom and Bathroom: Getting Ready for Summer Guests

     Hitting eighty-five degrees on Lake Keowee, South Carolina, yesterday was the first day that actually resembled summer. Birds were chirping, fish were jumping, and ducks were quacking—the sounds of nature were everywhere. I sat outside for a couple of hours, body slathered with sunscreen and sweat quickly beading on my brow, but I didn’t complain. I was more than happy to get a taste of summer. I listened to my iPod, read my trashy romance novel, and as I got a jumpstart on my summer tan, I started making a mental list of weekends where friends and family will be visiting me in my house on the lake.
     I’m so anxious to make new memories with my loved ones (check out my latest inspirational video: Make A Memory With Lake Living). I love company, and that’s one of the main reasons that I built a lake home. And, as expected, if you build it, they will come. In droves. Last summer, I had company every weekend from early May through mid-July with a few week break, followed by more visitors for another three weeks. I do get an occasional winter guest, but when warm weather approaches, guests queue up for summer visits like an assembly line at a Ford factory, and I plan on being ready for them.
     As I prepare for my visitors, I wanted to share with you a three part series on some of my ideas that I’ve collected that make my house welcoming and functional for my houseguests. If you have additional ideas that I haven’t listed, feel free to comment on this article and share them with me and my readers.
     For Part I, let’s focus on getting ready for summer guests in the bedroom and in the bathroom. When decorating guest rooms, consider yourself sleeping in the room first. Think to yourself, “Would I feel comfortable in this space?” If you answered no, then re-think it. If it’s not good enough for you to sleep there, then it’s definitely not good enough for your guests. And, in the bathroom, do your best to supply toiletries and items that your guests may have forgotten to bring or do not need to bring for their visit. They will be oh so grateful to have room in their luggage to stow away an additional outfit for their stay.

Below is a list of all of the things that I like to consider and put into each guest room and guest bath:

Bedroom.

1. Two sets of sheets – Two sets because one will be on the bed, and the other readily available to do a quick change. Depending on the guest, some offer to pull off the dirty sheets and make the bed for you. Take them up on it! Doing laundry isn’t that labor intensive but changing beds is. Also, purchase the softest sheets possible. I’m a fan of high thread count percale or cotton. I am not a fan of the sateen type of sheets only because any time I’ve ever purchased sateen sheets, the dang things pill up which defeats the purpose of the original softness.
2. Extra blanket or throw – Easily accessible at foot of the bed for chilly nights.
3. Pillows – Feather, foam, or multiple firmness options—hopefully, your guests will find one that is comfortable.
4. Books/Magazines – For reading.
5. Bedside lamp – Ample reading light is best. Also, make sure your guests can reach the lamp to easily turn off without getting out of a cozy bed.
6. TV and remote – I have a TV and remote in most of my guestrooms. Everyone needs a little quiet time to watch the news or catch a movie.
7. Icing on the cake – Go all out and showcase fresh flowers from your local market or garden and place a chocolate or two on the night stand. Your guests will love it!

Bathroom.

1. Towels – tons o’ towels are best: bath, hand, and wash cloths. Occasionally you’ll have a guest who likes to have a fresh towel every day, so it’s best to be prepared.
2. Night light – Night light or little lamp in bathroom so guests can find their way to the bathroom when it’s dark.
3. Bathroom cleaning supplies – Many guests offer to clean up after themselves, and by all means take them up on it. Supply them with tub and tile cleaner and glass cleaner. Be careful of bleach products, though. Sometimes when you or your guests wipe out a sink that has been cleaned with bleach, your towels will be ruined.
4. Shampoo, conditioner, body wash— For the shower or tub, buy bulk sizes of shampoo, conditioner, and liquid soap. Ditch the bar soap for guest baths. No one wants to share a bar of soap that a previous guest has used. A friend of mind provides little hotel bar soaps, and I used to do that. I have just found it more economical to provide liquid body wash or liquid soap dispenser by the sink for my guests.
5. Blow dryer – Smaller, high wattage blow dryers are not that expensive. Your guests will appreciate it that they don’t have to load theirs’ into their suitcase.
6. Brush/comb – Who doesn’t want to look pretty or handsome?
7. Lots o’ toilet paper—Buy septic safe variety if you live on a lake. Warn your guests about septic systems and what they can/cannot flush down the toilet. You’d be surprised at how many people flush things that shouldn’t be flushed, and to avoid a backup, it’s worth having that uncomfortable conversation with your houseguests about septic etiquette. Rule of thumb: tell your guests to intermittently flush, only flush toilet paper, and don’t flush too much toilet paper down in one shot. I recently wrote an article about toilet paper holders which lists the easiest ones that allow for a quick roll change.
8. Toothpaste & Toothbrushes– Buy a big tube of toothpaste and keep it in the bathroom vanity drawer. Don’t bother with the little ones. Also, buy extra toothbrushes in case your guests forgot theirs’.
9. Razors/Shaving Cream – Disposable razors and a large can of shaving cream or shaving gel.
10. Q-tips & Cotton Balls – Guests will welcome the opportunity to clean the lake water out of their ears.
11. Aspin/Advil – In case of headaches or hangovers
12. Claritin – In case your guests have allergies.

So, get shopping and get prepared, everybody. Having items stocked and ready makes it easy for all of your summer guests and for you!