How to Transfer an Ordinary Bedroom into a Comfortable Guest Room

You don't need to invest a lot of money to transform a dull bedroom into a comfortable guest room. With a few changes you can take any room and renovate it into one where strangers will immediately feel welcome and at home. Here are a few tips for transforming a plain bedroom into an inviting guest room.

Provide fresh linens---Your guests feel more important and special in your home if you don't pull out some old worn sheets and blankets that you've had stored away in the attic for decades. Instead, check out a discount store (even a local Dollar Store) and invest in some cheap linens and towels. What's more, there are many discount specialty stores that do have discontinued styles of trendy sheet sets, as well as imported towels. Besides blankets on the guest bed, also provide an extra blanket on a chair, especially during winter nights.

De-clutter--- If you're like most homeowners, you probably use your spare bedroom as catch-all for clutter. But when you discover unexpected guests are dropping in, you don't want to leave all your junk in your spare bedroom. Just doing taking care of your clutter goes a long way in making them feel comfortable in your home.

Make room for your guests---Make sure to clear out at least one empty dresser drawer for their things. Clear out some closet space for their clothes and other personal items. Also, clear out some room where you guests can put their luggage. Or, you can provide a small table for their suitcase, so your guests don't have to stoop down to pull out their clothes. If you don't have a small table, a simple chair will work, too.

Carve out a sitting area---If your bedroom is large enough, provide a comfortable chair for your guest to relax. And, if there's room for a small end table, provide reading material that you think they would enjoy.

Supply fresh flowers---Pick some flowers from your garden, or wildflowers if you don't have a garden. Also, make sure the room smells fragrant. For example, you could use a carpet freshener or air plugs.

Provide a coffee pot, ready to brew----As some guests awaken before dawn, it's nice to have coffee before a host gets up.

Set up a small television set---Just as in motels, guests like to relax watching TV before they go to bed. Or, if you have a computer in the room, invite them to use it to check their email.

Provide privacy---If possible, put your guests in a bedroom near a bathroom or area where they don't have to worry about traipsing through the house at night in their pajamas. Last week when we stayed with a good friend in Florida, we appreciated how she had her guest room at the opposite end of the house, complete with a bathroom and hallway door.

Provide a night light---Many guests panic when they can't see their way to the bathroom late at night. And, especially for elderly guests and small children, it's a good idea to have a night light so they can see and won't stumble. What's more you can give your guest with a flashlight.

These are just a few suggestions on how you can make your guests feel at home. Once you begin to practice hospitality your confidence will grow as a hostess and you'll want to invite more guests into your home.