Preparing the Guest Room Before the In-Laws Arrive

We just learned that our first overnight guests will be arriving at the end of the month, and our guest room currently looks like this:

Not acceptable—especially because our guests are my in-laws. Sherry’s mom and stepdad are flying from New York to Richmond for some much-anticipated time with Clara, so we officially have a deadline to make the guest room comfortable and welcoming.

We don’t expect to complete every improvement in a couple of weeks, but we have a practical list of priorities to get the room functional and tidy for overnight guests. Our main goals focus on clearing clutter, providing a decent bed, and equipping the bathroom with basics so visitors have a pleasant stay.

Primary Tasks to Make the Guest Room Functional

• Clear out all excess items and junk. Schedule the Habitat for Humanity ReStore pickup and move the remaining belongings into the playroom so the guest room is free of clutter.
• Purchase a mattress and box spring, along with an inexpensive bed frame to use temporarily. We may build a more custom frame later, but a simple setup will do for now.
• Dress the bed with bedding we already own—sheets, a comforter, and pillows—to make the bed look welcoming without extra expense.
• Stock the nearby bathroom with essentials: a shower curtain, fresh towels, a new toilet seat cover, and basic toiletries so guests feel at home.

Why These Tasks Matter

Completing these primary tasks will make the room functional and hospitable. My nightmare scenario would be asking Sherry’s sweet, stylish Italian mother and stepdad to sleep on the pull-out couch in the office. (Mental picture: his name is Giacomo LaPadula and hers is Diana DeCesare LaPadula—too debonair for a fold-out sofa beside our laptops in a room with no door.) Instead, a tidy guest room with a proper bed and clean towels will ensure they’re comfortable and relaxed during their visit.

Extra Credit Improvements (If Time Allows)

• Paint the room a fresh, neutral color to make it feel more polished.
• Hang curtains for privacy and to soften the light.
• Add a nightstand with a small table lamp so guests have a convenient place for a book, phone, or glasses.

We’re not setting unrealistic expectations for ourselves—there’s a good chance not all of these extra items will be completed before our guests arrive. Still, they’re on the wish list because they would make the space feel more finished. Realistically, the room currently resembles a gathering of mismatched doors and leftover furniture, and we know Nona and PopPop will likely be focused on spending time with Clara more than critiquing our decor.

Plan and Timeline

With just a few weeks to go, our plan is simple: tackle the decluttering and mattress purchase first, set up the bed and linens, and then address the bathroom basics. If there’s extra time and energy, we’ll paint and add curtains. Breaking the project into prioritized steps helps us stay focused and ensures the room becomes guest-ready in time.

Wish us luck as we race to transform this space into a welcoming guest bedroom. We’d love for it to feel polished when they arrive, but we’ll be happy as long as it’s comfortable, clean, and inviting.

P.S. We announced this week’s giveaway winners on our blog—check the site announcement to see if you’re one of them.