The Spruce / Christopher Lee Foto

Preparing your home for house guests can be a very enjoyable experience.

There’s something satisfying about helping your visitors feel welcome and comfortable.

Provide a Comfortable Bed

Don’t give your guests the oldest, saggiest mattress you have.

Birghtly-lit guest bedroom with palm in the corner

The Spruce / Christopher Lee Foto

Supply Extra Linens

Always have an extra set of bed and bath linens available for your guests.

Or you may have one of those wonderful guests who insists on changing the sheets when they leave.

Let them do it, and thank them profusely.

Comfortable guest bedroom

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No one likes to have to stoop over to the floor to pull out a clean pair of socks.

Even a chair is better than nothing.

In a guest room, less is moremore space, more comfortable, and more welcoming.

Reading light next to a bed

The Spruce / Olivia Inman

Get rid of anything you would not find in a hotel room.

Keep only the most useful items in the room, like a clock and calendar.

Place an upholstered armchair or side chair in the room with a table and lamp close by.

If nothing else, provide a good reading light near a chair or over the bed.

Another fixture or lamp near the desk would be great.

A small night light is helpful, and a lighted magnifying makeup mirror is a real luxury.

Or purchase an inexpensive over-the-door hook that can accommodate some hanging clothes.

Don’t forget a supply of six to eight hangers.

Both you and your guest will feel better with odds and ends out of sight.

Choosewindow coveringsthat add to the character of the room and also provide privacy and light control.

If you should probably keep it simple, blinds work great.

it’s possible for you to always add a beautiful valance or side panels later.

Color-code the sets and keep track of who has what.

Keep a simple log of who has which colored set, and check them in when they’re returned.

Make a list of the best shopping areas, museums, parks, and your favorite restaurants.

Mark special locations on the maps with highlighter pens.

Place all the items in a box or basket that you keep in the guest room.

That way, you won’t have to re-gather everything when another guest arrives.

Place wrapped snacks, fresh fruit or cookies, and a bottle of water in the guest room.

Set Up a Center for Entertainment

A TV in the guest room is much appreciated.

Help Guests Stay Connected

If your home is wired, great!

Write down your wi-fi password and leave it on the nightstand for your house guests.

If not, provide a cable connection to hook up a computer.

Many people travel with laptops and do work or check e-mail when away from home.

Provide a desk and chair and a good lamp.