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6 Tips for Prepping Your Guest Room

Prepare your spare room so your guests can rest a little easier.

1. Build a better welcome basket

Mix the essentials with perks like bottled water, eye masks, lint rollers, magazines and crafts for the kids. Include a snack basket for late-night arrivals (or cravings).

Pro-Tip: One week prior to your guest's arrival spend a night in the guest room. This will help you pinpoint what else is needed.

2. Take a load off

A storage bench creates a level surface for luggage, not to mention extra seating. Install a luggage rack so guests won't have to sidestep suitcases.

Pro-Tip: Store tissue packets and air freshener inside the nightstand. Provide a bedside reading lamp for the night owl, along with flameless candles for a subtle evening glow.

3. For those who run cold

Blankets and extra pillows should be easily accessible during chilly nights. Warm up drafty guest rooms with a mobile space heater.

Pro-Tip: If you're going the air mattress route, slip a pillowtop mattress pad under the fitted sheet. This will up the comfort level and create a warm, soft resting place.

4. Guest bathroom must-haves

Load a mobile cart with necessities, doubling up on any items that are used frequently, such as toilet paper and fresh towels. Don't forget a night light.

Pro-Tip: If the bathroom is shared, be sure to have an extra mirror in the bedroom. Include several hooks for hanging towels or robes, along with hampers for laundry.

5. DIY tourism department

Be an advocate for exploration: Assemble a binder of must-sees in your town. Include maps, menus for nearby restaurants and public transportation information.

Pro-Tip: Be sure to keep one or two sets of spare keys ready. If you have multiple keys, mark them with nail polish.

6. For techy guests

Electronics have become key travel essentials. Using decorative paper, print your Wi-Fi information and frame it, place it on a nightstand or on a whiteboard.

Pro-Tip: Collect spare chargers or cords from your electronic devices and bundle them in case your guests forget theirs.