How to Create an Inviting Guest Room

If you're lucky enough to have space for a guest room, why not pass the good fortune on to your guests by creating a room that's warm and welcoming? Even the smallest gestures can be much appreciated by guests (who doesn't love a mint on their pillow?). And as the host, a guest room can be a perfect place to try out new looks or make bold choices you might not be ready to commit to full time, so go ahead and be adventurous; your guests will probably love spending time in a room with some flair. And if they don't? Well, then you won't have to worry about them overstaying their welcome.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Good furniture
• Nice bedding
• Mini toiletries
• Water and snacks
• Paper and pen or a printer

1. Surround your guests with beautiful, quality items, and don't let your guest room seem like a dumping ground. Don't banish your most beat-up furniture to the guest room or save all the good stuff for yourself; refinish that old furniture and splurge on high thread-count sheets and plush towels for your guests too.

2. Encourage independence. Provide extra keys, maps, guidebooks, instructions on how to operate your complicated remote control--anything you think might help your guests take care of themselves. If you're feeling ambitious, you can put together your own guide to the home and the neighborhood, complete with suggestions for activities and restaurant recommendations. And a homemade Do Not Disturb sign for the door is always a hit with guests!

3. Provide entertainment. It can be exhausting for hosts and guests alike to entertain, so encourage guests to entertain themselves. Stock the guest room with DVDs, books, magazines, crossword puzzles or other games. Theme them to the environment if you like; movies and books about your area can give guests a unique sense of perspective. They'll appreciate the gesture, and it's a great way to share some of your favorites.

4. Supply extras. Extra pillows, blankets (include a throw for afternoon naps), hangers, towels, toothbrushes, sunscreen, aspirin or any other amenities you can think of.

5. Crib ideas from hotels. You don't need to supply a full minibar, but a few bottles of water and some small snacks or mints are always appreciated. Small toiletry bottles in the bathrooms are generally popular, especially now that it has become so difficult to travel with liquids and gels. (Bring them home from your own visits to hotels, purchase minis at the drugstore or make your own by filling small bottles with your favorite products and creating pretty handmade labels.) Custom notepads or matches are common at hotels; why not provide your own? There are tons of websites that allow you to personalize items like these.

[Rockney]

on 4/17/2008 Very thoughtful ideas!