Friend staying over - ideas for making her room comfortable?

[Arlanymor]

My dad stayed at mine last night for the first time since I’ve been in my new place and said it was lovely, he slept really well and he had everything he needed - which was good for someone who is 6’ 2’’ in a single bed! But he’s also very low maintenance in general.

One of my best mates is coming to stay next month, she’s equally not hard to cater for, but just was wondering what else I could do to her room to make it a good place to stay, again bearing in mind it is a single.

Room has:

• Single bed with double duvet, four pillows, throw at the end for warmth
• Bedside table with lamp and all the drawers are empty for her stuff
• Triple wardrobe, one third has boxes from my move, other two thirds are free for her to use
• Small desk - I’ll clear my work crap off it, but it has a six point plug adaptor for charging stuff, including 2x USB sockets
• Desk chair with a cushion
• Mirror unit that is on the window sill but can be put on the desk for make up etc if she wants
• Little sheepskin rug on the floor next to her bed

It’s a small room, but I like to think it’s cosy and quite cute, and of course I will give her towels and toiletries etc. Should I get hold of a little bin and put it in there? Her room is next to the bathroom which has a good sized bin, also there is a full length mirror in the corridor just outside her door. I want her to have a fab stay because she’s going through the mill at home at the moment. She won’t be in there a lot because we will be out and about, but I wondered if I was overlooking anything because obviously I live there and so everything is very convenient for me! TIA.

When we have people to stay, I put a tray with a kettle, a cafetière and tea bags and ground coffee. In the evening, just before we go to bed I also fill a vacuum flask with some milk.

TBH I started doing this with PILs to stop my FIL going downstairs to get him and MIL cups of tea, as he was very wobbly on his feet, and I really didn't want him to fall down the stairs! But I think it's a nice thing for someone to be able to make their own drink if they're awake early, without having to worry about disturbing the rest of the house. (And also we have a Quooker tap which no-one can ever work!)

You sound like a lovely friend. I think this sounds great. What about a hair dryer in one of the drawers, and a nice houseplant somewhere.

That’s a lovely idea, I’m all on one level and she is two seconds from the kitchen so maybe I will just put a tray out with everything but milk and then it’s not hidden in the cupboards and easy for her to access. If I had stairs I would absolutely do what you do, as it’s really thoughtful.

It sounds lovely. She's lucky to have such a thoughtful friend as you!
When I have guests I always put a carafe of water and a glass and fresh flowers in the room. I also have a little speaker next to the bed that you can sync with a phone to play music/radio/podcasts through or a clock/radio is nice. I hope your friend has a lovely stay. I'm sure she will.

I might also put a selection of books and/or magazines there too.

Thank you! Hairdryer is great call as I have a travel one that is really powerful that I can put in the bedside table - brilliant! I can definely relocate one of my plants to her room too. Fab!

Thank you! Hairdryer is a great call as I have a travel one that is really powerful that I can put in the bedside table - brilliant! I can definely relocate one of my plants to her room too. Fab!

We have a cheap pod coffee machine in our guest room too but it's a big room so that might be overkill in a single room.

A book/magazine?
Hand cream like l'occitane by beside?

I think you've taught of nearly everything

I might add a waste paper bin?

I would like a good blackout blind or curtains as I am easily woken by the daylight which can be quite early. But it sounds perfect.

Sounds perfect already! But I’d maybe add a candle/plant to the windowsill, a bin and maybe an eye mask and/or ear plugs depending how light/quiet the room is. Couple of books or magazines and if necessary a fan of the room gets hot?

Aww thank you! Yes good call on the carafe and a glass - I think she will appreciate that. I think I have a Sony speaker somewhere that she could sync too - that’s a fab idea. Ah thank you, I hope so!

Lovely idea but sadly not room - but I have bought in some nice coffee for her. I personally hate coffee but asked the person serving in the shop for what they recommended so also came home with a cafetière which I’ll just use for my loose leaf tea after. Thank you.

Books is a really good call, she reads a lot and I think I have a number of things she will like. Good call! Also I do have some nice unopened handcream, will pop that in the bedside table too. Thank you!

Yes I think I will - I was wondering over it as she’s right next to the bathroom, but it’s just so much more convenient isn’t it? You’ve persuaded me! Thank you.

Can I make a booking? Sounds lovely!

Hand cream? Oliver Bonas have some lovely glass bottle ones that I was admiring earlier

Aww thank you. Yes it’s got good thick curtains so she can hopefully get a really good night’s sleep bless her.

A towel

Aww thanks! Good calls on all of these - so curtains and noise should be fine - but yes to a candle, and the bin, and books… hadn’t even thought of a fan but she’s coming in July so really good call. I have a nifty little John Lewis USB one that is tiny but so powerful - will pop that in the bedside table as well. Brilliant - thank you!

WiFi code is just about the only other thing I can think of, it sounds lovely and you're evidently a very thoughtful friend.

Ahh bless you! Fancy a weekend by the sea in lovely west(ish) Wales?! Yes definitely handcream - I think I have something nice that is unopened but if not then I know to head to OB - love the glass bottle idea, wow!

Absolutely - she’ll have a bathsheet, hand towel and flannel.

Genius! Why didn’t I think of that?! Will pop out the plastic bit from the back of my hub and put it in her room. Thank you, I really appreciate that, I just want her to have the best time and put some of her worries behind her for a while.

When my mum comes to stay I make her bed like a hotel bed with fresh sheets, lots of pillows and cushions as well as a throw. I put a bottle of sparkling water by the bed and a selection of books she might like to read. You could also have some lanterns / tea lights to make it look cosy. Maybe a radio or Bluetooth speaker so your friend can listen to music.