Whenever we have people coming to stay, I run through the same short mental list of guest room essentials — the handful of things that turn a pretty spare bedroom into a room where someone actually sleeps well and feels taken care of. And this summer I’ve had a lot of chances to test it.
Iron Bed | Curtains | Floral Pillowcases | Sheets | Duvet Cover | Blanket
Our Merrimore House renovations are scheduled to start in November, but we’re planning to use the lake house fully this summer — squeezing in every minute of lake living while we can. The house came fully furnished, which has been such a gift in terms of getting to enjoy it right away, but I’ve been itching to make things feel a little more us during this in-between phase. I started simple, just swapping the throw pillows on the beds, and eventually moved on to bigger changes, bringing in a few pieces from our Pottery Barn collections. We added this bed to one of the guest rooms and swapped the dining table for this one, and both made such a difference.
But beyond making the house feel more personal, I’ve been thinking a lot about our guests — and how to make them as comfortable as possible while they’re here. A guest room doesn’t have to be big or fancy to feel like a little retreat; it mostly comes down to anticipating the small things people forget to pack. So here are the six guest room essentials I put in every guest bedroom.
The Cozy Clog in Cookies and Cream Bouclé
I love these clogs so much I own them in five colors — they’re incredibly comfortable and the perfect slip-on house shoe, though you can certainly wear them outside too. I ordered a range of men’s and women’s sizes to keep on hand, so guests always have something warm to slip into before coming down for breakfast.
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Utopia Bedding Down Alternative Bed Pillows for Sleeping
Bed pillows make such a difference. I ordered two sets of these for every guest bed, so there’s always enough to prop up with a book or sink into for the night.
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Utopia Down Duvet Insert
This is the duvet insert I’ve bought so many times I’ve lost count. It’s perfectly fluffy but still lightweight, so it never sleeps too warm.
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Vagus Nerve Pillow Mist
I spritz this on my pillow before going to sleep, and I swear it’s the secret to falling asleep in five minutes.
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Waffle Bed Blanket
This is the lightweight all-seasons blanket I swear by. Cool in the summer, warm in the winter. It’s that essential layer that you hope is on every guest bed you sleep in — in case you’re not a duvet person, but the sheet is too light!
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Chris Loves Julia Luggage Rack
Even if your guest room doesn’t have a closet or a dresser, you’re good if you have a luggage rack. Friends can live out of their suitcases for a few days as long as that suitcase is off the floor!
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