Sunny summer weather offers the perfect time of year to host friends and family. However, the temperature doesn't always agree.
Sleeping in summer is difficult at the best of times. Between sticking to the sheets and combating allergies, we often spend more time tossing and turning than sleeping – this is only made worse when you are sleeping in someone else’s home.
This is why hosting and etiquette experts urge us to properly prepare a guest bedroom for summer to help cool a guest bedroom in summer and ensure our friends and family want to stay again in the future.
How to prepare a guest bedroom for summer
These small touches might not seem like a big deal, but they can make all the difference to a guest who struggles to get comfortable in summer.
1. Deep clean to minimize allergens
Allergen flares can ruin our summer experience. Waking up sneezing or with a clogged nose after sleeping with the window open to stay cool is far from the refreshing morning routine we want.
To help keep guests comfortable, Kathy Cohoon, cleaning expert and operations manager at Two Maids, suggests using some cleaning tips for allergy sufferers before they arrive to help minimize the impact of allergens:
‘First, you’ll want to give the room a deep clean to reduce allergens. Dust all the surfaces, including ceiling fans, windowsills, furniture, and light fixtures. The best vacuum with a HEPA filter will help get rid of dust and allergens in the carpets and rugs,’ she says. ‘And don't forget to wash all the bedding, including mattress covers and pillow protectors! Hypoallergenic options can make a big difference in keeping the room fresh and comfortable.'
2. Add a water station
Guests might not feel comfortable leaving their room in the night to wander to the kitchen and get a drink, which is why Lisa Mirza Grotts, lifestyle and etiquette expert and author suggests making a guest room feel more homey by setting up a portable water station in the bedroom for guests to help themselves. ‘For extra credit, infuse the water with citrus and mint from your garden,’ she adds.
Use a water jug with a lid to help keep the water fresh, and fill it with ice cubes to keep it cooler for longer.
Using pitchers with lids helps to keep water fresher for longer and prevents accidental spills.
Keep guest drinks and snacks contained with a handy divided wooden side tray.
3. Opt for light linens
You wouldn’t want to hunker down under brushed cotton bed sheets during a heatwave, so don’t make your guests do the same, urges Bethany Skorik, etiquette and protocol consultant and founder of The Charming Diplomat. Investing in the best cooling sheets to help guests sleep better is important.
‘Ensure the room is ready for comfortable sleeping. This includes blackout curtains, a fan, and leaving the door open before their arrival to ensure fresh, cool airflow,’ Bethany adds.
4. Keep fresh air flowing
Improving the ventilation in your home is the best way to keep your guests comfortable in summer, reducing the temperature and the humidity, explains Kathy Cohoon, cleaning expert:
‘Before your guests arrive, open the windows to let in some fresh air. This helps get rid of any musty smells and brings in a nice summer breeze,’ she says. For a touch of added freshness, ‘make sure the linens are freshly laundered, including sheets, pillowcases, and towels. A light, summer-scented fabric softener can add a delightful touch of freshness.’
5. Add in cooling toiletries
The best hosts always curate a perfect guest welcome box and set it out for when their guests arrive. Lisa Mirza Grotts, lifestyle and etiquette expert, suggests giving it a summer touch by including cooling toiletries such as freshening body and face wipes, cooling towels, and even cooling eye masks that can be chilled in the freezer.’ It is sure to leave a lasting impression on your guests.
6. Check fans and AC are working
Of course, the easiest way to prepare a guest bedroom for summer is to keep it cool, using AC or fans is essential, says Crystal Shell, expert host, CEO and founder of Hello Guest Screen:
‘Ensure the space is comfortable by adding fans or verifying that air conditioning systems are functioning efficiently. This helps maintain a cool environment and ensures guests stay comfortable despite high temperatures.’
‘Finally, the most important and often overlooked preparation for house guests is that you must, at some point, sleep overnight in that room prior to their arrival,’ concludes Bethany Skorik, etiquette and protocol consultant. ‘I can tell you many horror stories of hosts finding out too late that there are bats in the walls, branches scratching against the window pane, broken AC units, and yard lights shining through the curtains.’ Sleeping in there first will allow you to eliminate any nasty surprises and achieve the perfect temperature before the guests arrive.
