Will you be hosting visitors sometime soon? Whether it is for a holiday or the summer travel season, creating a peaceful haven for guests in your home is a great way to practice hospitality. Here are 12 guest room ideas that include my favorite simple ways to prepare a lovely and gracious place for friends and family.

Guest Room Bed

Provide your guests with an attractive bed including a comfortable mattress that is neither too firm nor too soft. Dress the bed with quality sheets and blankets. If possible, have a variety of pillows on hand ranging from soft to firm so your guests can find the ones that are just right. Tuck a few extra blankets in the closet.

Nightstand

Place a nightstand next to the bed. If you don’t have a nightstand, a small table or even a chair can work. Add a lamp and alarm clock. If you are able to purchase an alarm clock with CD player, put a few peaceful CDs in the drawer. An alarm clock with a docking station is also an option.

Closet Space

Make sure your guests have plenty of room to unpack and hang up their clothes. Provide a variety of shirt hangers and skirt/pants hangers to meet whatever needs they may have. It looks especially nice if the hangers match. A dozen white hangers is inexpensive, but looks neat and uniform.

Dresser or Chest of Drawers

If possible, equip your guest room with a dresser or chest of drawers. Line the drawers with pretty drawer liners. If you don’t wish to purchase drawer liner, a pretty contact paper will work as well and should lie flat without needing to use the adhesive side. If any of your guests have a sensitivity to scents, be aware of that when purchasing drawer liner.

Mirror

If your guest room doesn’t have a private bath attached, make sure you have a large mirror in the room. It can be something as simple as a full length mirror in the closet. At the very least, put a small mirror on the wall for combing hair.

Guest Room Bathroom

Think “spa-like” and your guests will love you forever! Even if your bathroom doesn’t look like a spa but rather 1950s America, you can still add the little touches that will make it a restful place to be.

Provide your guests with plenty of soft towels and be sure to provide fresh ones every day. A bath mat is also helpful. A small basket of quality bathroom items is always appreciated. Soaps, bubble bath, hand lotions, shampoo, feminine needs and such are all a nice touch. You can even leave a small note in the basket inviting them to take the items home with them – including the basket! A candle with matches and a small bouquet of flowers in a pretty vase will also contribute to making the bathroom inviting. Music is also appreciated whether it is a small radio or CD player.

Snacks and Such

Do they like coffee or tea in the morning or evening? If so, equip the room with a small coffee maker and leave a tray with a basket of coffee, tea, cocoa, sugar, and spoons with tea cups or mugs. A small basket of snacks that complement their favorite beverage would certainly be enjoyed.

Telephone, Phone Book and Charger

Although most people have a cellphone or smart phone, even today not everyone does. If your guests don’t have a phone, be sure they have access to a telephone for private conversations and a way to look up information, especially if they are traveling from far away. It is also nice to have a universal charger for cell phones/smart phones available in the room.

WiFi Information

Be sure to provide your guests with the log-in information for your WiFi.

Pencils, Pens, and Paper

Include a few pencils, pens, and paper in the nightstand drawer.

Tissues and Wastebasket

Place a box of nice tissues and a wastebasket next to the bed, even if you have them in the guest bathroom.

Television

If you want to create an extra enjoyable guest room, a small television is a nice touch.

Nightlight

And for a bonus item, don’t forget a nightlight.

The Best Guest Room Ideas

Most importantly, remember that an enjoyable stay for your guests is primarily dependent on a thoughtful and peaceful hostess. If you have planned ahead and are enjoying yourself, then chances are your guests will, too! The best guest room ideas won’t make up for a grumpy or stressed out hostess.

Preparing a special guest room doesn’t have to be complicated or expensive. But simply thinking through what will be most important to your guests, you can provide them with a lovely experience.