The Good Design Journal
The Guest-Ready Edit: A Room-by-Room Checklist for When Company's Coming
The doorbell is going to ring in an hour. Cue the frantic, horizontal-surface-clearing panic. You’re stuffing papers into drawers, doing a "sniff test" on the bathroom hand towel, and realising you have nothing to serve drinks in.
We've all been there.
This isn't about a deep clean. This is about a fast reset. A listicle of high-impact, low-effort pieces that make your home feel polished, welcoming, and deeply hospitable before the first "hello" at the door.
Here is the room-by-room checklist for making your home feel guest-ready.
1. The First 5 Seconds: The Entryway
PAPPELINA Bob Rug/Door Mat, 70x150cm, Mud
Your entryway is the first impression, and it's probably where the shoes, bags, and mail have piled up. A PAPPELINA rug is the ultimate "landing strip." It’s a stylish, durable mat that instantly signals "we have our lives together." It’s also (and this is the best part) a breeze to clean, so you don't have to stress about muddy footprints.
2. The 60-Second Sofa Facelift
KLIPPAN Gotland Wool Throw Blanket, Red
Your sofa looks... tired. A high-quality throw is the fastest facelift you can give a living room. This Gotland wool blanket isn't just warm; it's a shot of rich, grown-up colour and texture. Drape it over the arm of the chair or the back of the sofa, and the whole room instantly looks more considered.
3. The "Please Feel Comfortable" Signal
FERM LIVING Grand Cushion, Camel/Red
Nothing says "stay a while" like cushions you want to sink into. The last thing a guest wants to do is perch awkwardly on a bare sofa. A few plush, textural cushions are the non-verbal cue for them to get comfortable. This one brings in that earthy, autumnal warmth that makes a space feel layered and lived-in, not sterile.
4. The "I'm a Person Who Owns Nice Vases" Flex
NEW WORKS Blaehr Vase, Large, Clear Glass
A vase on the coffee table (even with just a single branch in it) is the ultimate sign of a prepared host. It adds an immediate sculptural, artful element to the room. This clear glass vase from New Works is a particularly smart choice. Its organic, fluid shape looks just as good empty as it does filled.
5. The 'Civilised' Kitchen Counter (Part 1)
MAISON BALZAC La Vinaigrette Olive Oil & Vinegar Bottles
Your kitchen counter is the social hub, and it's also where the clutter lives. This is the fix. Decanting your everyday olive oil and vinegar from their supermarket bottles into these jewel-like glass vessels is a 30-second move. It’s a pro-level styling trick that makes your counter feel like a curated, adult space.
6. The 'Civilised' Kitchen Counter (Part 2)
ROSTI Classic Cheese Slicer Box
The best hosts make it look easy. This is the illusion, bottled (or boxed). Instead of fumbling with cheese knives, messy wrappers, and a drying-out block of cheddar, you just use this. It keeps your cheese fresh inside and lets you slice exactly what you need, right when you need it. It's smart, it's clean, and it's the kind of "how did I live without this?" piece that defines effortless entertaining.
7. The "Help Yourself" Moment
FERM LIVING Erena Serving Bowl, D32cm, Cream
Don't serve chips in the bag. This large, matte-finish Erena bowl is the perfect, unassuming vessel for nibbles. It has an organic, handmade feel that adds a touch of warmth to the table and invites guests to help themselves.
8. The Moment of Truth: The Guest Bathroom
AURA HOME Riviera Stripe Hand Towel, Caper
This is it. The one detail that separates the rookies from the pros. A fresh, beautiful, dry hand towel. A guest using a sad, damp towel is a small domestic tragedy. A crisp, stylish striped towel, on the other hand, is a non-negotiable act of hospitality. It shows you were expecting them, and you care.
9. The Unexpected Bathroom Detail
METTE DITMER Roots Folding Stool, Dark Oiled
Want to really impress them? A small stool in the bathroom is a high-style move. It's a sculptural, spa-like element that can hold a folded towel, a small candle, or give them a place to set their things. It’s a detail that feels incredibly luxurious and considered.
10. The '5-Star Hotel' Touch
&TRADITION Flowerpot Portable Lamp VP9, Tangy Pink
Nobody, and we mean nobody, likes an overhead bathroom light. It's clinical and unflattering. Putting a small, portable lamp on the vanity is the ultimate host flex. The soft, warm glow is welcoming, calming, and makes the whole space feel 10x more expensive. This cordless VP9 is the perfect, iconic choice.
11. The "Hide-in-Plain-Sight" Tidy
FERM LIVING Pebble Box, Large, Sand/Cream
This is your secret weapon for that last-minute panic. What do you do with the hair ties, the spare keys, the general "stuff" that's on the counter? You put it in this beautiful, sculptural box. It’s not a plastic tub; it’s a beautiful, organic object that "styles" your clutter away.
My entryway is tiny. How do I make it welcoming?
Don't crowd it. Focus on one or two high-impact items. A quality doormat or runner (like a Pappelina) defines the space, and a single, sculptural vase on a small console (like the OYOY Kuki) is all you need. Good lighting helps, too—a portable lamp on a console is always a good idea.
What's the one thing I must do for the guest bathroom?
A fresh hand towel. That's it. You can have a bar of soap, but if the towel is fresh, plush, and stylish, you've done 90% of the work. We love a cross-brand pairing, like a KOBN and Aura Home towel together for a rich, textural look.
How do I make my living room feel "cosy" and not just "clean"?
Textiles. A clean room can feel sterile. A clean room with a soft wool throw (like the Klippan) and a few well-chosen cushions (like a Ferm Living Senti Stripe) feels welcoming. It’s the fastest way to add warmth and personality.
Company's coming. But that’s fine, you're ready.
The doorbell rings. You're not panicked. You're not doing the last-minute-shove-it-in-a-cupboard dance. Your home feels calm, polished, and genuinely welcoming.
This isn't about pretending to be perfect. It’s about having a few smart, beautiful pieces in your toolkit that do the heavy lifting for you. It's the confidence that comes from knowing you've created a space that makes your guests feel truly cared for.
Ready to be the host with the most?
