Hosting is a big part of who I am. I was raised by a family that took so much pride in the comfort and satisfaction of guests visiting that it naturally took over once I had my own space. The first time I hosted someone was when I lived in a dorm-like space. Thankfully, I had my own bedroom and bathroom at the time but shared everything else.

My mom took a 16-hour plane ride to visit me. I had to make sure she was comfortable given the little space I had. I tried to get all the essentials I needed for the guest room. And even with the limited space and resources that I had at the time, I wanted her to have a welcoming experience.

Start with the basics: guest room essentials

The purpose is for the guest room to be comfortable and cozy, not perfect. Think blackout curtains, cozy throw blanket, linen bedding, and a nightstand big enough to hold a guest’s personal belongings. We all have our own ways of making guests feel welcome; you have to find the personal ways that make your guests feel at home, and I’m here to help.

Small Comforts that make a big difference

A personal touch I try to add to my guest rooms is making the essentials feel like home. I like to make my guests feel welcome by adding a subtle touch to the room so it feels like it’s theirs.

For instance, if you have a guest who reads a lot and visits you, add a reading lamp so they can get cozy and comfortable when they have a moment to read. A charger for the guest who may have forgotten theirs on their way to your house. Bottled water for guests who get thirsty at night and don’t feel like heading to the kitchen in the middle of the night.

For women, if you want to go the extra mile, a basket with toiletries, lip balm, lotion, toothpaste, pads, and an extra toothbrush always seems thoughtful.

Add a cozy touch without overcomplicating it

There’s no need to overcomplicate things when preparing a guest room. A cozy bedroom comes from warmth and simplicity. Think soft textures, neutral bedding, and fresh flowers. Add artwork to bring the room together, a few books if your guest is especially a frequent reader, and a gentle scent that they may enjoy. Nothing too harsh, just subtle enough to cover the room.

You want your guest to walk into the room and feel right at home, and creating a space with intention takes time. It’s not something that’s meant to be done overnight. Keep that in mind as you create the guest room of your dreams. I realized this when I created my dream office on a budget, just a couple of months prior.

A few extras you appreciate finding in the guest room

If you want to go the extra mile, I’d recommend the following guest room ideas. These aren’t necessities, but they help guests settle in and feel loved:

• Wi-Fi information
• Welcome Greeting Card
• Extra Blankets
• Laundry Basket
• Snacks or tea station
• Local Recommendations

When I work on my guest room to make it feel welcoming, I think about how I feel when I book a hotel or an Airbnb stay. What makes me get excited? How do hosts go the extra mile for their guests? What are small touches that can easily make me want to write a review?

Greeting cards feel so personal; when I get one during a stay, it instantly makes my day that someone took the time to write me a sweet note. So I do the same, hoping it makes my guests feel how it makes me feel.

Snacks and tea stations are great; it doesn’t need to be extravagant, only thoughtful. All you need is a kettle, tea options, instant coffee, sugar, and a few cups. Right next to them, add a few local or universal snacks.

You can never go wrong with extra blankets; rather have them and not need them than need them and not have them.

This goes without saying, but laundry baskets are quite important to have in a room, especially if your guests are staying for a couple of days rather than overnight.

Wi-Fi is definitely optional but always great to have, and that goes along with local recommendations, especially for those who aren’t locals.

I love preparing a welcome gift basket for my guests, a nice surprise for anyone to arrive to. What I normally include personally:

• Welcome Card
• Snacks
• Drink/Water
• Bedroom slippers
• Bath towels
• Candle
• Fresh Flowers

I also like to add a personal touch depending on what my guests like; that usually ties it all together.

My Guest Room Philosophy

How do you want your guests to feel in your home? I want my guests to feel at home. I want them to be relaxed and feel like they are on a retreat in the countryside. That means I focus less on a picture-perfect guest room and more on a clean, comfortable, and thoughtfully prepared one.

I like to get fresh flowers for our guests and keep the bouquets for as long as I can; the Old Farmer’s Almanac Gardening Guide helps with basic houseplant care.

I work with what I already have, and if I really need to spend money on something, it’s because I actually need it, not because I’m trying to follow some trend. Hospitality is about making people feel welcome, like they’re at home. Let that be your main focus. Besides, you only need basic guest room essentials to make them feel at home.