Guest-Room Essentials: Creating a Home Away from Home

Guest quarters should be furnished sparsely, but the beds and linens should be as comfortable as those in every other bedroom. In addition, consider stocking your guest room wth the following amenities.

Write up a list of helpful details about your home. Include notes about where to find extra supplies and toiletries, Wi-Fi passwords, and instructions for your television and other household systems.

A carafe or bottle of water and glasses is a welcome addition to the nightstand.

Your guests will likely want time to themselves -- and so will you! Set out an assortment of interesting fiction and nonfiction books, as well as a local paper or pamphlet to highlight nearby activities and attractions.

Many of us rely on cell phone alarms, but a clock on the nightstand can be a helpful stopgap. And speaking of cell phones, consider leaving an extra charger in case your guest's is forgotten.

A bedside fan and extra bedding will help guests adjust the temperature to their liking. Include a light blanket and a heavy comforter in the closet or chest, plus a throw for afternoon naps.

If there isn't an adjacent private bathroom, leave a set (or sets) of towels in the guest room. A blow-dryer and an assortment of favorite soaps, shampoos, hand creams, and lotions will also be appreciated.

If the room has closet space, ensure that it is equipped with hangers and a full-length mirror. If there is no closet, install hooks on the back of a door.

Have a night-light in the hallway to protect late-night wanderers from accidents.

Provide adequate lighting, whether it's a bedside lamp or a table lamp with adjustable brightness.

If the floors are wood or stone, place a small rug beside the bed for cold mornings -- or even a basket of slippers in different sizes.

Include a wastebasket and make sure that it is emptied before the guest arrives and soon after he or she departs.