Much loved friend staying - what do I need to not forget to make house look fab?

[OreganoandFeta]

Friend I adore is staying at my new (to me) house soon and I'm getting anxious about the house not being perfect. Her home is absolutely gorgeous and I've always felt welcome and relaxed there. I know she's visiting me not the house, but what can I do to make the guest room comfy and the whole experience as pleasant as possible for her?

New fluffy towels.
Nice soap
Amazing breakfast

Honestly OP it sounds incredibly stressful if you really need to have the house looking " fab" when she is supposed to be a close friend.
Surely clean and tidy with some lovely flowers and some nice food that you knows she likes should be all you need.

Yep agree. If she judges you're home she's not a very good friend. It"s you're hosting that's more important. Make her feel comfortable, welcome, have lots of food and drink available, encourage her to help herself and that should be enough.

You, you just need you. Have a lovely time 😊

I'm sure it'll be nice but two things people can forget that are useful in a guest room are a) a bedside lamp so you can get into bed in an unfamiliar place and then switch the light off, and b) a bin so you can throw things away (tissues etc) without having to take them downstairs or stuff them in your pockets. Neither needs to be expensive.

Flowers in the bedroom are very thoughtful.

Marke sure it's warm, but not too hot!

I get where you are coming my from OP. So this is in the room where she’ll be sleeping that you want comfort ideas?
If you have a bedside table perhaps have a small box of tissues, a coaster with a glass (if you have a cute glass bottle decanter with lid/cork you could fill with fresh water for when she goes up to bed - I love this comfort in hotels.
An end of the bed blanket and also close access to plug sockets - this is a pet peeve of mine if I can’t charge phone easily and have to scrabble behind a chest of drawers etc.
A (matching only if you can) towel, flannel and her own bath mat (a friend did this for me and I loved it)

Other idea possibilities: Flowers in the lounge and a nice smelling candle. Relaxing playlist playing in background if that’s your thing.
At the end of the day if you’re relaxed she'll be relaxed.

Is she bringing her own car? I move my car off the drive to park across the road or round corner so guest can have the driveway and that is always appreciated.

New pillows! Doesn’t cost much but lovely to sleep on

This. If this is someone you love, no need to be extra-impressive!

But yes, as a guest I absolutely appreciate having a good reading light in the bedroom, and the ability to control the temperature when I’m sleeping (I like a cold bedroom, and prefer the window open all year round).

Just make her own living space, while she's with you, i.e. her room, as comfy and welcoming as you can.

Think what makes her home warm and welcoming when you're there.
A small vase of fresh flowers? Warm and welcoming coloured accents, cushions etc?

Don't forget your friend has likely had her home established for quite a while and you are new to yours.
If she's as good a friend as you say she is I'm quite she won't be critical in any way but instead will just be very happy for you having a new place to call home!

what’s the room like? Is it clean and tidy with nice bedding?
plants, candles, prints, a mirror and a bedside lamp can make the space nice.

A mirror in the bedroom , full length if possible. I do a little hotel like basket with stuff like tissues, cotton pads , shampoo, conditioner , shower gel , new shower cap , flannel. If not make sure you have them in bathroom and clear out your rubbish stuff

Thank you, this is exactly the kind of advice I need ! I have a bedside light but wouldn't have thought of a bin. That's easily fixed.

Thank you! Have matching towels but hadn't thought of separate bath mat. I like the carafe and glass of water idea.

When my oldest friend comes to stay I always make her a little pamper pack beside her bed not expensive just a face mask and some toiletries and usually painkillers and water to counteract the wine we inevitably consume.

Thank you everyone, lots of great ideas here. I should have explained the dynamic - she's more like a family friend/mum's best mate than a peer. She's always been good to me and looks after everyone else so I want her to feel at home and relaxed. We have things planned for when she's here, it's just making the guest room and home cosy. Tissues, full length mirror, bin/paper basket, carafe, toiletries and checking enough space for parking are all helpful, thank you.

Just be yourself and make your house as comfortable as possible. You sound a nice concerned person so if you pay her a lot of attention it will be Ok. No one visiting me help with the dishwashing but they can make tea and coffee at any time. I also leave nuts,fruit and biscuits on the table. Just not too much or it may look like you are trying too hard. Enjoy and ask if she would like to watch tv. That gives you both a break.