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.
1
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.
3
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!
6
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.
There’s something so special about finally getting to share a project that’s been years in the making. We we started designing #OhHeyHighlands, we knew this home was going to be something unique—a space built for hosting, gathering, and living well. And now, seeing it come to life feels like flipping the last page of a book we’ve poured our hearts into.
This project is everything we love about design: thoughtful details, natural materials, and a focus on how the space actually feels for the people living there. It’s designed to celebrate their lifestyle, their traditions, their people. That’s the magic of a good home-it’s not just beautiful to look at; it’s beautiful to live in.
Sharing this feels like a little love letter to what we do. It’s why we started Clouz Houz-to create spaces that don’t just work but feel like home. I hope this tour inspires you, whether you’re planning your dream home, refreshing a single room, or just soaking in the details.
So, what do you think? Are you as in love with ‘Oh Hey Highlands’ as we are? Let us know your favorite part-because, trust me, I can’t pick just one.
Wow... What a great way for 2024 to come to a close. Thank you @zeewendell for capturing this space that means so much to us. Tumalo Ranch started as just an idea-an untouched single level ranch house with potential-but it quickly became something deeper. We poured ourselves into every decision, from the materials to the layout, creating a home that reflects not just our design aesthetic but also our love for this property.
Now, we’re so excited to share it with you. These photos remind me of all the late nights spent sketching plans, the joy of seeing it come together, and the quiet mornings here that make it all worth it. This isn’t just a house—it’s a part of us.
This year has been such a ride, and we’re so grateful for what’s ahead. Here’s to unlocking new potential for Clouz Houz in 2025 and continuing to share what truly fills our cup-creating spaces that mean as much to our clients as this one does to us.
This little project started as a “how can we make this work” moment and ended up being one of my favorite parts of our bedroom. Isn’t it funny how sometimes the solutions you create out of necessity end up feeling the most rewarding?
Our actual closet is... let’s just say, less than spacious. We needed more storage. So, we flanked the bedroom doors with these Ikea cabinets and went to work turning them into something that felt purposeful. A little trimming, a splash of paint, and suddenly it’s like they were always meant to be here. It’s the kind of project that reminds me why I love what I do—design isn’t about how much space vou have; it’s about how you use it.
And can we talk about those pleated drapery panels we had made with one of my favorite patterns from @kettlewellcollection. They’re such a small detail, but to me, they are what makes it all feel special. The @rejuvenation hardware was just the cherry on top. I always say, “Invest where it counts,” and let me tell you, good hardware counts.
This whole process has me thinking about how design is really just problem-solving with style. It’s about asking, “What do I actually need?” and then finding a way to make it beautiful. It doesn’t have to cost a fortune. It doesn’t have to be perfect. It just has to work for you.
Tumalo winter at a glance: 1. Our first snow of the season!! 2. My (not so secret) holiday weapon- greenery… greenery EVERYWHERE 3. Chilly mornings spent working from home 4. The angel we plan on putting on top our Christmas tree #ALucyChristmas 5. Oh how I adore having a real tree after the past few years with our faux tree 6. Country morning frost blanket 7. Boozy frozen hot cocoa all winter longgg 8. A corner of our room that makes me 🙂 9. Twinkling lights💫
Telling your home’s story is our specialty. We listen intently to our clients about their dreams and wishes with their new homes. And what we have learned through the years is priceless. Good design isn’t just how it looks, but how it makes those that live there feel. And while one client may desire the flashy home suited for hosting corporate gatherings, while another desires a cozy family home that is perfectly suitable for their immediate family’s needs. Whatever their desires may be, our job is taking those functionality requirements and turning it into something beautiful and 100% authentic to them.
Clouz Houz was born with the desire to bring our knowledge and hands on experience with our own homes and investment projects to help others realize the power of creating spaces that are uniquely them. We’re not just designing spaces—we’re helping you tell your story. A story that’s meant to be lived in, not just looked at. A story that’s messy, full of love, and always evolving. Just like life itself.
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!
