Guests need more than just a bed to sleep on

"It is equally offensive to speed a guest who would like to stay and to detain one who is anxious to leave." Homer (800-700 B.C.), Ancient Greek epic poet, "Odyssey" (circa 850 B.C.)

It's visitor season once again. For those of us living in Las Vegas, our season usually runs for 12 months, but for those unfortunate folks who don't live in the greatest city on Earth, they are now thinking about those summer visits.

I recall sharing a dilemma about bed sizes in guest rooms, and it is a viable problem for most people. Who's coming and what should the sleeping arrangements be? Couples, friends, relatives, children -- all pose different scenarios and, if you are like most of us, you can't have a guest room to fit each friend or relative. So, be thoughtful of the bed size that you choose for your guest area.

After you decide the size of bed you want in your guest room, next comes the preparation.

We've all read that you should sleep in your guest room to see how it works. Going through this exercise will ensure that guests have a pleasant stay in your home and that the room functions well. Think of the things you would like to find in a first-class hotel -- minus the gym, sauna and maid service.

The room should have room for their clothes, both hanging space (don't forget the hangers) and drawers for folding clothes. There should also be a place to stow their luggage. You should also make an ironing board and iron available to guests if they need to touch up their clothing.

Night tables should include a good reading lamp, a clock that has an alarm for early morning flights and room for any personal items your guests might bring, i.e., their favorite reading materials, any medications or special belongings. Stationery and pens should also be part of the bedside table. This may not work everywhere (let's face it -- not every place is a tourist mecca like our great city), but I try to keep a supply of Las Vegas postcards so my guests can send quick notes to friends.

One quick note about putting flowers in a guest room; the best advice is don't do it. Your guests may have allergies or may just not appreciate having them in their space.

The windows should be dressed so your guests can have light or air when they want it and darkness when they are trying to sleep.

Now, let's talk beds. Not just size, but quality. A lot of guest bedrooms are furnished with all of the furnishings that nobody else wants, including an old mattress that should have been sent to the graveyard years ago. Try to provide as good a mattress as you can afford for your guests. It doesn't have to cost thousands, but it should be firm and not saggy.

Next comes bed linens. Again, the best you can reasonably afford. The linens should, of course, be clean and crisp (if new, please launder before putting on the bed), and the comforter or bedspread should be appropriate for the season. You don't really need a feather down comforter in the summer and you certainly want to provide enough blankets and quilts to keep your guests warm in the winter. And, for that special touch, iron your pillowcases. It's very nice.

I remember years ago in New England, I went into my guest room one morning to find my guest sitting up in bed with her mittens and scarf on. She wanted an extra blanket but didn't want to wake me to get it. I'm certainly not that thoughtful, but don't make your guests have that issue.

If space allows, provide a comfortable place to sit. Some folks just don't like sitting on a bed, and guests may prefer to sit in a chair to read; or they may just need a place to put on their shoes, etc.

Phones are not necessary in a guest room but guests should know where the closest one is located.

If you don't have a separate room for company, there are many options for creating a space. Sofa beds in an office or den will work and, believe it or not, pull out beds have come a long way from sleeping on the wafer thin mattress with a bar in your back.

Murphy beds are another option but a little pricier than sofa beds.

Having houseguests is exciting and we want our guests to have the best experience possible. The first step is to prepare a place for them that you would like to stay in yourself. The second step is to get them to go home!

Carolyn Muse Grant is a founder and immediate past president of the Architectural & Decorative Arts Society, as well as an interior design consultant/stylist specializing in home staging. Send questions to creativemuse@cox.net.