Preparing Your Guest Spaces for Fall and Holiday Visitors

Fall has a way of sneaking up on us. One minute you’re settling back into a routine after summer, and the next you’re figuring out where everyone is sleeping for Thanksgiving.

If you’re hosting family or friends this fall and holiday season, now is the perfect time to give those guest spaces a little attention. And no, we’re not talking about completely redoing the guest room. A few thoughtful touches can make your home feel warm, welcoming, and ready for whoever is coming through the door!

Here are a few things we like to do before the holiday visitors start arriving.

Give Those Closets a Fall Clean-Out

Everyone talks about spring cleaning, but can we make fall cleaning a thing too?

If your guest room closet has slowly become the place where extra pillows, Amazon boxes, clothes you need to donate, and everything else ends up, now is the time to tackle it.

Clear out a little space for your guests to actually use. Leave a few empty hangers in the closet and, if you can, empty a dresser drawer or two. It’s a small thing, but being able to unpack instead of living out of a suitcase makes a guest room feel so much more comfortable.

Start at the Front Door

You don’t have to go all out with fall decorations to make your entrance feel seasonal and inviting.

Give the front porch a quick refresh with a good sweep, a new doormat, and a few fall touches. Think pumpkins by the door, a pretty potted plant, fall flowers (hello mums!), or some seasonal greenery. It’s the first thing your guests see when they arrive, so a little refresh goes a long way.

Make the Bed EXTRA Cozy

Fresh sheets are a definite, but fall is also the perfect excuse to add a few extra layers!

Wash all of your guest bedding before visitors arrive, then layer the bed with a cozy quilt, heavier duvet, or thick throw blanket. Even if your guests don’t use every layer, having those options makes the room feel instantly more inviting.

And don’t forget the pillows! If you have the space, leave out a couple of different options, something softer and something firmer, so guests can choose what they prefer.

Give Them Somewhere to Unpack

While you’re clearing out the closet, take a look around the rest of the room too.

Is there somewhere to put a suitcase? Is the nightstand completely covered in decor? Can they easily get to an outlet to charge their phone?

You don’t need to strip the room of everything that makes it pretty. Just leave enough open space for your guests to bring their things in and actually feel at home.

Put Together a Little Welcome Tray

This is one of those details that feels extra special but takes almost no time to put together.

Set a tray on the dresser or nightstand with bottled water, a couple of snacks, your Wi-Fi password, and an extra phone charger. You could even add a little note welcoming them if you want to make it feel more personal.

It’s basically your own little version of hotel room service, without having to leave your house.

Don't Forget the Bathroom

Whether your guests have their own bathroom or they’ll be sharing one with the rest of the house, make sure they have the basics within easy reach.

Put together a basket with fresh towels and washcloths, then add a few toiletries they may have forgotten to pack. Travel-sized shampoo, conditioner, body wash, toothpaste, and a spare toothbrush are always good to have on hand.

That way, no one has to awkwardly ask where the extra toothpaste is at 10 p.m.

Make the House Smell Like Fall

There’s just something about walking into a home that smells like fall.

Before guests arrive, light a seasonal candle in the main living area to make everything feel warm and cozy from the second they walk through the door. This is also the perfect time to grab our seasonal candle for your home, or pick up an extra to have on hand as an easy hostess gift during the holidays.

Just remember to keep scents subtle, especially in the guest room itself, since some guests may be sensitive to fragrance.

Add Something Fresh

Last but not least, add a little something fresh to the guest room.

It doesn’t need to be a huge floral arrangement. A small vase of flowers on the nightstand, a few branches clipped from outside, or some simple seasonal greenery can completely change the way the room feels.

It’s one of those tiny details that says, we’re really happy you’re here.

Ready for Holiday Guests

Getting your home ready for fall and holiday visitors doesn’t have to mean spending an entire weekend cleaning and decorating.

Start with the spaces your guests will actually use. Give them somewhere to put their things, make the bed extra cozy, stock the necessities, and add a few thoughtful seasonal touches.

Because at the end of the day, you want a guest room that looks perfectly styled but still feels comfortable and inviting. The goal is to create a space your guests can settle into, enjoy, and maybe be a little sad to leave.