Secondhand Items for the Ultimate Guest Room

Prime hosting season is here, and you’ll want your visitors to be as comfortable as possible when staying overnight with you during the winter holidays. If you are looking to spend the next few days sprucing up your guest room, keep in mind that you do not need to buy brand new items in order to create a cozy space. 

Below are some overnight guest essentials that you can easily pick up at the thrift store and estate sales, too!

A Water Carafe

There is nothing worse than waking up thirsty in the night but not wanting to wake anyone else up on your way to the kitchen or not being sure where the water cups are located. 

Placing a full carafe of water on your guest’s beside table is always a nice gesture, and you can easily find pre-loved glass carafes and water pitchers that just need a quick rinse. This hotel-like touch is sure to leave a lasting impression! 

A Throw Blanket

Baby, it’s cold outside! Ensure guests feel as snug as possible by placing a couple of extra blankets in their sleep space. You can place these in a woven basket (also thrifted) so that guests can easily access what they need. 

A Clock

You can never go wrong with placing a good, old-fashioned clock in the guest room. Even if your visitors won’t be setting an alarm, they will appreciate being able to check the time even if their phone is off or charging across the room. Why not opt for a cute vintage looking clock that will add character to the bedside table? 

A Luggage Rack

Everyone appreciates the convenience that a luggage rack offers. Take a cue from your favorite hotel and place one or two in the guest room. You can find these at estate sales and thrift stores and keep them folded up in the guest room closet when they’re not in use. 

A Few Books

Guests who are having trouble sleeping or just need a bit of alone time will appreciate being able to curl up with a book during their stay. Place a couple of novels or coffee table books in the guest room so that visitors can have their pick of what they’d like to read. Again, there’s no need to shell out for a brand new hardcover here; a few gently loved picks will satisfy your loved ones’ needs. 

A Toiletries Tray

Curate a set of useful items including soap, razor, a small shampoo and conditioner and style a welcoming toiletries tray on the bed. The tray itself can be an understated yet charming piece that adds both functionality and style to the guest room. Look for trays that have character—perhaps a vintage wooden one with a bit of patina or a sleek metal tray with intricate details. 

It should be large enough to hold a few essential toiletries, but not so big that it overwhelms its placement space. A tray with handles is easier for guests to move around. Whether you place it on the bedside table or the bed itself, this tray serves as a subtle, welcoming focal point. 

Written by:

Sarah Lyon

December 16, 2024     Updated 12:01 PM

Sarah Lyon is a Washington, DC, native living in New York City. As a freelancer, she frequently covers pieces pertaining to interior design, travel, and other lifestyle topics. Her pieces have appeared in outlets including Apartment Therapy, Architectural Digest, MyDomaine, the Washington Post, the New York Times, and more. When she isn't writing, Sarah works with designers to help them style spaces for photo shoots (and can't stop rearranging and redecorating her own apartment, either!). She has a penchant for shopping secondhand and loves giving preloved pieces new life. Sarah’s own spaces have appeared on Apartment Therapy, The Everygirl, Houzz, and Washingtonian.com. Her Dupont Circle apartment was featured in both the spring 2019 print edition of Small Space Decorating and the January 2019 print edition of Washingtonian Magazine.

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