The holidays are all about homes full of family and friends. Are you preparing your house for guests? If so, this post is for you! We’re gathering all our favorites and sharing tips for getting your guest room ready. And, as in our case, that could be your kids’ rooms that have to work for both kids and guests! Two of our three are coming home from school, and we have guests coming to stay too. Some may think there’s no way a kids room can double as a comfy, inviting room for guests — but we’re here to tell you it can serve both purposes! Follow these steps and you’ll feel ready and able to entertain guests over the holidays … like a pro.
CLOUZ HOUZ TIP: To make guests feel welcome and comfortable, it’s the simple things ? For example, I like to add travel-sized toiletries to nightstands in case anyone has forgotten items like toothpaste, aspirin, earplugs, charging cord, etc. Also, a carafe of water and a glass for an easy middle of the night sip is always a nice touch. Your guests will appreciate these small gestures!
image: Clouz Houz / Photography: Zee Wendell
Treat whichever room you’re designating as a “guest room” as a special retreat for your guests. Whether it’s a den with a pull out sofa or an office with a blow up mattress, you can create a cozy space for family and friends where they can relax and enjoy their time in your home. See below for some items that we think are not only comfy and inviting, but also practical and budget-friendly. Adding these will make a “5 star hotel” experience in your own home!
CLOUZ HOUZ TIP: We needed a nightstand in our daughter’s bedroom since she took her furniture with her to college. So, we turned a chair into a surface by adding a stack of books. Then we placed a small dish to collect guest’s jewelry, etc. and set out a tray to hold a glass of water or a phone.
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Water Carafe and Glass
Make everything feel special, even a late night sip of water! This water carafe and glass set is so cute. It's the perfect addition to the guest room to make visitors feel like they're truly being spoiled with simple luxuries.
I love this little tree for placing on a nightstand to make your guest's room feel festive. Add lights for a night "glow" in the room, or leave naked for a cute touch to any space. I bought two of these this year, and just ordered a couple more for the kids' rooms. They would also look sweet with ornaments.
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Flannel Sheet Set
New sheets always feel luxurious, and these are sooooooo good! They're inexpensive, but feel really nice on a cold wintery night. And, let's not forget how handsome they are as well! I got a couple of sets or the kids' rooms this year, and they love them. It's a win-win as kids and guests will love to curl in for the night!
We purchased this duvet and these shams for our daughter's room, and now I'm on a mission to get the same ones in the green colorway. The quality of the linen is really really good, and I love the relaxed yet preppy look it adds to her room. I've purchased Serena & Lily bedding over the years, and I have never been disappointed.
If you want to turn a den or TV room into a guest space, I recommend investing in a good air mattress. This particular one has rave reviews, with air-filled coils and a built-in air pump to adjust the firmness of the mattress. Add some nice sheets, a down comforter and fluffy pillows and your guests will feel spoiled all through the night!
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Sheepskin Throw
I use sheepskin throws all the time, whether they're thrown a chair or sofa or as an easy solution to put something cozy and luxurious to the floor! I placed a couple next to the bed in our daughter's bedroom where we will host guests as well. It adds just a little something extra that will feel so good when stepping out of bed in the morning!
We've had the bed in our son's bedroom for years, and I still love it as much as I did the day we got it. It's a classic style -- not too childish, yet relaxed enough to feel casual and comfortable. The natural quality of the rattan goes with many styles of bedding. It looks especially amazing with hotel-inspired bedding, with classic embroidered sheets and beautiful duvets.
I can't say enough about how much I love this floor lamp! I've used it for clients' projects as well in our home. Both our boys have them as a reading light over their beds. I really like the contemporary, cool vibe it gives to their rooms. It has a handy touch sensor for ease in the middle of the night. And, you can't beat the price for the look! It's a great dupe for a designer look.
One of the most common things I hear from homeowners is, “We’re trying to make this work for a few more years.” And I completely understand that mindset. But what I’ve noticed is that those “few more years” often turn into five or ten.
In the meantime, people spend money trying to make a space more tolerable. They buy the storage baskets. Add the extra shelving. Replace furniture. Reorganize the same closet over and over again. Move things around hoping the room will somehow function differently. Sometimes those improvements help.
One of the reasons I love jumping on a discovery call is because they give people clarity. A better understanding of what is actually causing the frustration and what options might exist to solve it.
I’ve had plenty of conversations where someone who thought they needed a major renovation and they didn’t. I’ve also had conversations where someone had been spending years trying to work around an issue that could have been addressed much sooner with a plan.
If you’ve been feeling stuck, overwhelmed, or unsure where to start, that’s exactly what the discovery calls are for. Send us a DM or schedule through the link in our bio. I’d love to hear more about your home and what isn’t quite working
I think one of the biggest misconceptions about hiring a designer is that people assume our clients don’t know what they want. In reality, most of them know exactly what they want.
They know they want a kitchen that feels warm and collected. They know they want a patio they’ll actually use. They know they want a home that feels finished.
What they don’t know is whether the white oak cabinets work with the soapstone counters they pinned six months ago. Or if the layout they’re considering is going to annoy them every single day once it’s built.
That’s where we come in. Not because you can’t make decisions. Because some decisions are expensive. And it’s nice to have someone thinking through all the details before you start ordering materials and moving walls.
So, If you’ve ever looked through our portfolio and thought, “I want my house to feel like that, “this service was designed for you! Or you can explore our other offerings on our website and schedule a discovery call to determine which one is the perfect fit for you!
Hot take but... perfectly matching furniture, fabrics, and finishes is usually what makes a home feel the least personal.
I know it seems like the safe choice, but it’s also what makes everything fall a little flat. The spaces that feel the most interesting (and the most “you”) are the ones that mix things a bit.
Old + new Structured + relaxed A little unexpected but still makes sense
It’s less about following a blueprint and more about building something that feels collected over time. Because no one wants their house to feel like a showroom!!
If the idea of curating a beautifully layered home overwhelms you-that’s where we believe we shine the most! Reach out so we can chat how we can help.
Most people think they’re stuck because they haven’t chosen the right style. So they take the quiz. They save more inspiration.
They toggle between two aesthetics. And somehow... they feel more unsure. But the problem usually isn’t the style. It’s that they haven’t decided how they want their home to feel. Because you can execute the exact same aesthetic in completely different ways, and end up with two entirely different emotional experiences. One can feel grounding and cocooning. Another can feel airy and serene (like our past Westgate Stay project). Same category. Different outcome.
And if this sounds like you, don’t worry! This is exactly where most people get tripped up. The good news? We’re going to fix that by shifting the question. Comment ‘ME’ if you want to read more on Between the Layers
I know my routines, what I reach for daily, how I want a space to function for me. That part makes designing for myself feel easy. (But making decisions for myself is where things get tricky LOL).
The difference is, I know what’s a non-negotiable for me. I know what actually matters day to day, not just what looks good.
And that’s really how I approach client work too. It’s not just about picking beautiful pieces. It’s about asking the right questions, understanding how you live, and reading between the lines a bit. What you say you want... and what you actually need can be two different things.
That’s where we come in. We help make sense of it all so your home doesn’t just look good, it works for you in a way that feels natural.
Click the link in bio to start working with us today!
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Are you all ready for summer like I am?!? Our team loves pulling all the inspo and things that are shaping our design work each month. June is my favorite... for a lot of reasons, because, one: I’m a total warm weather girl and two: it’s Derrick’s and my anniversary month! I can’t believe we are celebrating 29 years next week!
Anyway, I digress... I’m breaking down all the things in today’s Between The Layers post (live at 5:00 PST). I can’t wait to share with you allllll the things we have our eyes on for projects.
I’m even sharing some items I have been debating for our house because I need your help assuring me I’m not crazy with all these ideas I have brewing.😂
CLOUZ HOUZ TIP: To make guests feel welcome and comfortable, it’s the simple things ? For example, I like to add travel-sized toiletries to nightstands in case anyone has forgotten items like toothpaste, aspirin, earplugs, charging cord, etc. Also, a carafe of water and a glass for an easy middle of the night sip is always a nice touch. Your guests will appreciate these small gestures!
