Hosting family over the holidays, dear friends coming to visit, surprise stays from relatives – having a guest-ready guestroom is a must for planned and impromptu visitors. Here are my tips to make your guest room a place of tranquility and comfort for your friends and family.

Leave magazines and books (tailor the selection to your guest(s), on their nightstand in case they’d like to do some light reading, and make sure the remote is in the drawer if they want to watch television. 

This may seem small, but double check the lights in the guestroom work. 

To add an extra personal touch, fill the house – including the guestroom – with vases of fresh flowers. Fresh flowers – even a small bud vase filled with roses or chamomile blooms – make their room and the house smell divine and will make your guest(s) feel truly special. 

Stock your guest bathroom with plenty of clean towels, soaps, shampoo and conditioner, disposable razors and toothbrushes, toothpaste, cotton balls, and Q-Tips. I also like to leave some nice hand lotion in the drawer, as well as a hair dryer and brush. 

Finally, equip your kitchen with the basics: bottled water, juice, milk, fruit, bread, cheese, crackers, and any snacks or drinks that you know they love. Bonus points for setting up a fabulous breakfast offering for them in the morning!