9 steps to preparing a guest room for Thanksgiving – get ahead of hosting jobs now

Hosting Thanksgiving can be stressful enough, but friends or family staying at your house can add another level, leaving you feeling swamped with to-do lists.

That is why professional organizers recommend preparing a guest room for Thanksgiving ahead of time to ensure your guests have everything they need and you have one less thing to worry about.

Here, they share the nine hosting steps they take to prepare this room for visitors and make a home cozy for Thanksgiving.

Preparing a guest room for Thanksgiving

The best way to prepare a guest room for Thanksgiving is to make sure everything is clean and organized and guests have everything they need so you are not having to juggle their needs with cooking and hosting.

Here's how the experts manage.

1. Declutter personal items

Before your guest arrives, apply the same bedroom decluttering rules from your private space to theirs. Anything you wouldn't want to sleep with in your room should be removed.

Gillian Gudgeon, APDO member and expert organizer behind Restore the Calm says, 'A bedroom should be a sanctuary that promotes sleep and relaxation, but one that has garments everywhere and cosmetics strewn across surfaces will make a bedroom feel busy and unwelcoming.

'Bedside tables should have a relatively clear surface – lamp, book, and coaster with a photo, memento, or two. Utilise space under your bed and invest in some good storage that’s easy to push in and out.'

Decluttering also means getting rid of doom piles and boxes of items you have been meaning to donate that have been shoved in guest rooms out of the way. Now is the perfect time to finally work out what to do with the items you're decluttering.

2. Clean with allergies in mind

A clean bedroom is a welcoming bedroom. When preparing for guests, be sure to use green cleaning methods and cleaning tips for allergy sufferers. This helps to cover all bases and ensure you don't accidentally set a guest off sneezing when they are trying to sleep.

Yama Jason, interior designer and founder of House Customize' says, 'Dust, vacuum, and clean all surfaces in your guest room. A clean and tidy room contributes to a fresh and pleasant space, making guests feel more welcome and relaxed.'

Cleaning a bedroom includes dusting all surfaces, vacuuming or mopping the floors, and changing the bed linens. You can check out our guide for the dirtiest place in a bedroom to ensure you've cleaned all the most important places.

Be sure to also clean any shared or guest bathroom that your visitors will be using.

All prices correct at time of publication.

3. Provide spare essentials

A considerate addition to any guest room is providing the amenities they may need. By predicting your guest's habits, you can stock the room with essentials.

Include items like a toothbrush and toothpaste, lotion, a comb, and perhaps a robe or slippers to add a spa-like feel. These can be displayed in a luxury storage basket or arranged on a tray for a touch of luxury that makes a statement in your guest bedroom.

Equip the bedside table with a lamp, alarm clock, tissues, a sleep mask, earplugs, and possibly some reading material.

4. Clear enough storage space

Audra George, professional home organizer and owner of Pretty Neat, Oklahoma, says, 'The bottom line is that guests should feel welcome and like they have a space for them to store their items. Making the space simplified and less chaotic is a must.'

If your guests will be staying for multiple days, be sure to provide them with enough space to store their personal belongings. To do this clear out enough space in a closet or dresser for them to use, and check there are enough hangers for their clothes.

You can also add some temporary storage options such as decorative baskets to ensure they have a space to temporarily keep their items. This should also be done when getting your bathroom ready for Thanksgiving guests.

Adding a luggage rack or a designated space for suitcases to keep them off the floor is another nice touch.

5. Add a touch of Thanksgiving decor

To add a festive touch, you can decorate the guest room with some Thanksgiving-themed decor such as flameless or scented candles with fall motifs, a small pumpkin or gourd centerpiece, fall foliage, and some fall-colored throw pillows.

However, try not to not go overboard with the decorations or decorate every surface as this could make the room feel cluttered and overwhelming, ultimately becoming inconvenient.

6. Bring out the comfortable bedding

Tadas Pukas, CEO and Founder of Minimalistic Linen reminds us, 'The bed is the centerpiece of any guest room. Opt for a soft mattress topped with high-quality linens, ensuring a variety of pillows and warm blankets to accommodate different preferences.

'This attention to bedding not only enhances comfort but also shows your guests that their rest is a priority.'

Wash bed sheets, including pillowcases, and blankets, before your guests arrive. Consider providing extra blankets or pillows for added comfort and warmth to your guests preferences.

Tadas continues, 'Ensure bedding is seasonally appropriate and comfortable, it is key to ensuring your guests get a good night's sleep,' says Yama Jason. 'Use fresh, clean sheets and consider adding extra blankets or lounge blankets for colder nights.'

Remember comfort is key, and showing that you have paid extra attention to their bedding preferences will likely be appreciated by your guests. Offer a variety of the best pillows to accommodate different sleeping preferences - firm, soft, etc. You could also consider adding the best mattress topper for extra comfort to your mattress.

7. Add fragrance

Making a guest bedroom smell nice is easily one of the best ways to make it feel inviting, and by using fragrances that are synonymous with Thanksgiving, you can also make it a delightfully festive space.

There are a number of ways you can do this including with the best scented candles, the best oil diffusers, homemade room spray, or a number of hidden tricks to make it nice-smelling.

Ritika Asrani, owner of St Maarten Real Estate also recommends, 'Infusing a subtle Thanksgiving essence into your guest room by placing scented liners in dresser drawers. Opt for liners with notes of cedar, apple, or nutmeg.

'This not only adds a delightful fragrance to clothing but also creates a sensorial journey that complements the season's spirit.'

8. Consider temperature control

Tadas Pukas, a bedding expert, says, 'Temperature control is crucial for guest comfort. Provide options like extra blankets, a space heater, or a fan.'

Ensure that the guest room is well-ventilated and adequately heated or cooled depending on the weather so that your guests can adjust the temperature to their liking.

9. Create a tech hub

There are few things as frustrating as arriving at your destination and realizing you have left your charger at home.

Create a charging station where your guests can easily charge their electronic devices. This can include a power strip, such as this charging port power strip, from Amazon, or an extension cord with multiple outlets.

Add a copy of the wifi password to this area too, so guests don't have to hunt it down or ask you for it. It can also be helpful to include a welcome sheet with any additional information, such as the locations of light switches, how to use the climate control and shower, and where to find refreshments in the house. Don't be afraid to lay out some boundaries or rules here, too.

Cleaning the spare room and including the things every guest room needs to stay organized will set up a space perfect for any friend or family member.
Remember that it is also important to communicate with your guests before their arrival to ensure you can accommodate any needs they may have, ensuring they have an enjoyable stay and you can sort everything before their visit so you can relax and enjoy when they arrive.