The Ultimate Guest Room Essentials List: 30+ Ideas To Make Their Stay Memorable (November 2023)

Having guests stay with you is always a fun experience, but it can also be nerve-wracking. In the excitement of having your friends or relatives visit, you may forget some other guest room essentials that will make their stay a little more comfortable and memorable for them.

And, if you have a few extra bucks to spare, you can always do something special for them to let them know how much you appreciate their visit. This is why we have put together this ultimate guest room essentials list of things you can have ready for your guests to ensure they have a comfortable stay with you.

(Psst! Need the whole house? Check out our new house checklist for all your house needs)

Guest Room Essentials

Let’s start with the essentials for your guest rooms. To make an inviting guest room for the next few days, make sure you have these bare essentials.

Bed with headboard

A comfortable bed is the most basic requirement for a restful sleep. If you have spare mattresses, you can use those, but if not, you can easily buy one of these mattresses with adjustable sleeping positions to ensure your guest has a good night’s sleep. If you need some cheap bedroom sets under $500 we have several.

Memory foam mattress

Memory foam mattresses are highly comfortable and will provide your guests with a fantastic night’s sleep. They are available in various sizes, but twin size is the most common. In addition, most memory foam mattresses come with an antimicrobial treatment for hygiene purposes, while some come with a cooling gel layer to make them more comfortable during the hotter months of the year. Here are some mattresses under $300 for you to check out.

Pillows and Sheets

Next on the list are pillows and sheets. If you think they will appreciate it, you can get them their favorite pillow or sheets.

Extra blankets, pillows, and bedsheets

You never know what a guest might need when they are in a different place, so it’s always a good idea to have some extra sheets and pillows in case they need them.

Large Throw Blanket

You can provide guests with a large throw to keep them warm during the night. Some people prefer sleeping hot, but others prefer to sleep very cold. This gives a nice cozy guest room feel when they walk in the room.

Bedside table

A bedside table is a must-have for every guest room. It can store all its essentials like keys, glasses, cell phones, and alarm clock within reach without making the bed look cluttered.

Seating area

A small seating area is also an easy addition to any bedroom. It’s very inviting and makes guests feel at home. If your budget allows, you can even buy a loveseat or sofa to make their stay even more comfortable.

Lamp

A small table lamp is an essential that you cannot ignore. It can provide a great source of comfort and atmosphere and can completely change the feel of a room. Overhead lighting is another nice way impress your guestssed.

Light-blocking drapes

Blackout drapes are a lifesaver for people who cannot sleep in very bright conditions. The light-blocking fabric helps people get the best night’s sleep, and if you have spare money lying around, you can even buy such curtains for each bedroom.

Electric Heater

Depending on the time of year they are visiting, you may want to provide your guests with an electric fan or heater.

Towels

Clean towels are an important item for your guests, and you can never have too many fresh towels. There are specialized brands that make such towels in different sizes to suit your needs. White towels are a great idea, and they are easy to clean with a bit of bleach.

Toiletries

Toothbrushes, toothpaste, floss, and mouth wash are a must. Your guest may need these items, and you wouldn’t want them to go around with bad breath. Also, have shampoo, soap, and any other toiletries that they may want to use, like chapstick or lip balm, hand lotion, or moisturizer.

Having these items are key to having the guest room ready. Don’t forget the extra toilet paper roll.

Guest Room Ideas to Make Their Stay Memorable

Now let’s talk about what you can do for your guests to stay memorable. These are some great ideas and go way beyond the basic essential room items.

The idea of these great tips is simple. You want to make it feel like the best hotel room stay. So let’s make this guest room a gorgeous room they will love!

Welcome basket

Treat your house guests to freshly cut fruits from time to time, since you should treat family and friends as you would like to be treated! A few snacks like some fruit juices, cookies, or chips are a great way to ensure your people are properly fed! It is always good to provide these sorts of snacks for them when they arrive since it can be pretty tiring traveling all day long. Here are some other things you can include:

Water Bottle Having some water bottles on hand just in case your guests get thirsty, especially during those hot summer days, is always a good idea!

Wine and Beer A nice bottle of wine or cold beer will come in handy, especially if your guests are tired of the usual wines or drinks you offer. It is always a great idea to have some extra alcohol on hand for special occasions!

Cookies Having fresh baked cookies ready just in case your guests get hungry also goes a long way. These cookies will put your guests in a good mood after they’ve finished their meal at the restaurant.

Welcome Note

If you don’t want to go full welcome basket, why not a welcome note with your contact details, wifi password, and other information they may need?

You never know what information your guests might forget to ask you when they are settling down in their room, so it is always an excellent idea to include it in the welcome note. This is a nice touch when the holiday guests arrive and save you from remembering your Wi-Fi password.

Flowers

A vase of fresh flowers is always a nice touch for when your guests arrive! You can also use these as decoration pieces in your guest room. Orchids and lilies are some of the many flowers that add a nice touch to your guest room!

Oil diffuser or Scented candle

Make the room smell pleasant for your guests, especially after they have been on a long road trip.

Air mattress

If you don’t have enough beds for your guests, you can opt for an air mattress. These are very comfortable and take up very little space.

Small but comfortable sofa/lounge

Having a place for guests to sit is always a nice touch. It also makes them feel right at home!

Emergency Kit

A guest room essentials list always needs to include some emergency supplies. An emergency kit with medicines, band-aids, and other paraphernalia – You should know what common medicines your guests might need in case they get sick or have an accident.

Bluetooth speaker/sound system

It’s always nice to have music playing in the background, especially if it is something that everyone can dance or sing along with! In addition, a Bluetooth speaker/sound system is a nice touch for any guest bedroom.

Small refrigerator

Your guests may need some water every now and then, so a mini-refrigerator can come in handy. You can also stock it with their favorite drinks for them. They don’t use a lot of power, and they don’t take a lot of space. But make sure you have enough outlets for these extra items.

Electric kettle

This can be used for making hot beverages, instant noodles, or just about anything that needs boiling water!

Ceiling fan

A ceiling fan will cool down your guests in the summer months and provide a nice breeze during winter.

Luggage rack

This can be used for suitcases and bags, so your guests will always have a nice place to put them when they are inside the room. An extra foldable rack is an excellent thing too. Extra racks are always a good idea when more than one guest is staying with you, so they have sufficient space for their baggage.

Ironing Board

An ironing board is always nice to have when your guests need to iron their clothes. Some guest bedrooms already come with this for convenience!

Hangers

There is an extra set of hangers just in case your guests bring more than enough clothes with them during their stay. A hook in the walk-in closet or on the closet door is an excellent place to hang your guests’ clothes in case they don’t have enough hangers for all of them.

Shoe rack

Putting shoes or bags in one place will keep the room nice and neat. It also makes them feel more at home!

Bathroom slippers

No one wants to step on a wet or dirty bathroom floor! So providing some comfy bath slippers is always an excellent idea.

Trash bin

A small trash bin – You can place this in the bathroom or outside your guests’ room to make sure they dispose off their trash correctly.

Laundry

If your company is staying a while, they may need to do laundry. Here are some things to provide them.

Laundry bag – provide them with a laundry bag or hamper where they can place their dirty clothes.

Laundry detergent and fabric softener – providing them with these items is a nice thing to do. See our Dropps review for some natural laundry products and a special promo code.

Cleaning supplies

You wouldn’t want your guests’ stay to be ruined because you couldn’t clean the room properly, right? So keeping some cleaning supplies just in case is always a good idea. Also, if they make a mess in your guest room, they can clean it up as a nice gesture without bothering you.

First-aid kit

A first-aid kit with essential medicines – You never know what might happen, so having a first-aid kit with some basic supplies might come in handy.

Small Umbrella

Your guests might need it if it rains, so having one on hand will provide them with enough support and cover from the rain.

Telephone Charger

They might have forgotten to bring a spare cell phone charger, so having one on hand will come in handy in case they need it.

Local Information

No guest room essentials list would be complete without an informational guide. If they are new to town, these can give them some great ideas about where to go and what to see. Here are some times to include.

A note with your favorite activities nearby: Pin it on a board, or buy a notebook and leave it in the room for them to write their suggestions.

Coupons for local amenities/services: You can include coupons of different restaurants, cafes, theaters, or gyms nearby that you frequent often which your guests might find interesting enough to try.

A list of emergency contacts – Your guests may need assistance with something during their visit, so having emergency contacts ready just in case is always a good idea.

A copy of the house rules – It is always nice to have a list of house rules just in case your guest needs it so they can be aware of what’s allowed and what’s not when staying with you.

Maps of the city and tourist attractions – You can include these maps in the welcome letter so your guests know where to find nearby attractions such as churches, public restrooms, and restaurants, for example.

A local newspaper – Your guests might be interested in what is going on in the neighborhood in which you live, so having a newspaper on hand will come in handy.

A timetable of public transport in the area – This way, your guests will have all the information they require just in case they get lost or want to visit someplace outside your neighborhood.

Reading Material

A basketful of magazines and books that interests them is a great tip. Of course, there could be a particular article they want to read, and there is always something interesting for everyone!

Lap Desk

The fancy hotels don’t have this and will elevate your hosting guests to a new level. A lap desk is a great little trick to give them the comfort they’ve been looking for.

Full-Length Mirror

This is very important if your guest wants to make sure they look great before going out, so why not provide a full-length mirror for them?

Magnifying Mirror

A magnifying mirror comes in handy for those with poor eyesight. In addition, they might want to check their makeup and make sure it is flawless before going out. So having one on hand will provide them with all the convenience they require.

The Complete Guest Room List

Once your guest room is ready, it will be a lot easier to make company feel at home! The main thing is that your guest feels welcome.

If you don’t have a guest room or your guests will be staying in a finished basement, den, or another living area, make sure their space is clear of any clutter, and the bedding has been washed along with towels and new sets of soap.

If you wonder what else you can have in a guest room, we hope our guest room essentials list has given you some inspiration. Personal touches go a long way, so make sure to add some items with sentimental value to perfect your guest room.