One of the things I love most is to entertain.  I am known amongst my friends for my dinner, childrens' and booze-up parties, but I have rarely had the opportunity to provide an overnight stay experience; until recently.

I'm a huge fan of the Channel 4 show 'Four in a bed' and have often commented to my Husband that I could ace it as a B&B owner.  But, as always, things are not as easy as they look.

My in-laws are lovely people, quite laid back and the kind of couple that do not wish to put anyone out, but they have often hosted us very well in their beautiful accommodation in sunny Barbados, so for me, it was important to give them a wonderful experience as a kind of thank you.  With all the current mayhem it was a welcome change and a great opportunity for me to focus on something and someone else.

The main point I'd like to make is that your guests should feel as though you've made an effort without going to trouble.  You do not want your guests to feel as though their stay has stressed you out or put you out, you want them to feel comfortable.

Previously our guests have been placed in the living room on a sofa bed, but, as my teenage son was visiting with my mother that month, there was a week free for my in-laws to have his room.  Great!  A whole room, at the top of the house so they are not disturbed!  Hmmmmm, but it is the teen hole!  Now where to start!

As always it starts with a good tidy-up and a deep clean, including a quick go over with the rug doctor, cheesy teenage feet is not a scent you'd like your guests to experience whilst lying in bed on an evening!

We did also, simply because I'm neurotic, give the walls a quick paint over.  I usually avoid going into teen space so hadn't realised how grubby his room was!

The mattress was vacuumed  and then covered with a mattress cover, for the benefit of both my guests and my son, there should always be a washable barrier for hygiene purposes.  I often pick up new bedding and towels in sales perfect for visitors, although I did run around stressed that I couldn't find matching face cloths!  My friend Amanda from Isossy Children talked me down from a panic attack in a store! Yes yes I know I have issues.  I also purchased a new quilt and pillows.  I change these yearly, and looking at the teens flat yellowing pillows after removing their protectors was a definite prompt!!  I washed the old ones and donated them to a local charity shop, I'm sure someone could re-purpose them, a skill I am yet to harness.

I tumbled dried all linens with a couple of dryer sheets, even though they were clean, it gave a soft fresh linen scent which, after making the bed, I also lightly sprayed with a lil Jo Malone for extra effect., make sure your guests aren't allergic before doing this.  My iron is kaput, ideally I would have lightly starched and ironed the linen after tumble drying for that crisp hotel feel.

Linens List

• 2 Bath Sheets ea.
• 2 Hand Towels ea.
• 3 Wash cloths ea.
• Fitted bed sheet and spare in a draw
• 4 pillow cases and two spare in draw
• Flat sheet and spare in draw
• Quilt and cover
• Large blanket could be used instead of or as well as the quilt depending on room temperature or personal tastes.

Now that I had the basics in place I looked at what else I could put into the room that would make my guests comfortable.

• Books and Magazines
• A jar of favourite biscuits for snacking, I hate the idea of my guests being peckish or feeling as though they have to sneak down two flights of stairs to the kitchen.
• 2 glasses and a bottle of water
• A box of tissues
• A note pad and pen with the wi-fi key and password written down
• A scented candle
• A few travel sized toiletries
• A copy of the front door key

The opening statement on the poster seems very apt!  "NOW for the first time you can see…… the floor!!"  This pic was before re-painting!  Look at how grubby it was!!!

There is no wardrobe as the teen likes the ease of throwing things in draws, I provided a few hangers for our guests should they want.  Wooden hangers only NO WIRED OR PLASTIC!!  I emptied the top two drawers in case they wanted to unpack.  I personally hate living out of suitcases.