Guest Rooms That Make Guests Happy

According to Better Homes and Gardens Magazine, there are numerous things " you can do to make guests feel welcome in their sleeping quarters, even if you have just a sliver of space to offer. Appoint a guest room as you would your own room, with attention to design and detail. And think of what needs they may have. You want to avoid a guest having to ask you for something."

And we agree. That's why we came up with a few tips on how to create a guest room that's worthy enough to make friends and family prefer to stay with you instead of at a hotel.

First, a comfortable bed is key. Everyone prefers different room temperatures when sleeping and there's nothing worse than trying to sleep when you feel like you're either going to freeze or bake. Stock the closet with extra blankets and keep a small fan and portable heater in the room as well. Guests can then be in control of their own room temperature and you can still enjoy whatever temperature you're used to.

Second, give them a desk. Even a small computer desk like the Versa Table from Versa Products, Inc. is a great way to give guests a little space to write, check email on their laptops, or sort out receipts and other things they've collected on their journey. Having a computer modem or Wi-Fi is an added benefit as well. Stock the desk with blank paper, writing utensils, and miniature desk accessories likes staplers, staple pullers, and envelopes to help them stay organized.

Third, give your guests their independence. Provide an alarm clock for the room, a small television with a remote, and enough empty closet space or drawers that they aren't piling everything into a corner. Extra space will also help them sort their clean and dirty clothes as their trip progresses which makes packing to go home much easier when the stay is over.

If your guests will have their own bathroom, stock it with enough toilet paper and tissues so that they don't have to ask you to replace them. Give them extra towels, and stock their medicine cabinet with the miniature versions of what most people need: toothpaste, mouthwash, shampoo, soap, aspirin, hand cream, nail files, tweezers, etc. If you have fragrant candles in the bathroom, be sure to leave matches. Leave a hairdryer in the bathroom drawer and a few bottles of bottled water that they can take back to their room at night with them. Be sure to leave a hamper in the bathroom so guests won't have to wonder where they should leave soiled towels.

Extra little touches like fresh flowers, or a bowl of fruit is also a nice touch, and a few magazines based on their interests in the bedroom and bathroom also make a guest feel at home. Being a good host or hostess when house guests arrive can mean the difference between your guests enjoying their vacation or not. Think about all the things that make home feel like home to you, and then offer that to your guests.