Your out-of-town guests will soon be arriving so it's time to get that spare room ready. Ensure you don't miss a thing with our 10-step checklist.



​1. Start with a matching set of bed linen, freshly laundered for each new guest (yes, they will know the difference). Invest in a mattress protector, and take a long, hard look at your pillows. If they're not up to your own standards, don't expect your guests to sleep on them.

​2. Add some extra layers to the bed for a cosy feel. Think about a generously sized cushion for reading or a soft throw for the end of the bed.



​3. Your guests will thank you for a bedside lamp that they can reach without getting out of bed. Check the bulb, then check it twice.

4. Pop a vase of fresh flowers or a pot plant on the bedside table for a pretty touch. Add a small tray for bits and bobs and a glass for water.

5. Include a selection of books and magazines and a scented candle or diffuser. It's finishing touches like these that make your guests feel at home.

6. Overseas visitors will appreciate a local guide book, a bottle of water, sunscreen, and of course, snacks for the jetlag hours.



7. Put fresh towels in the room before your guest arrives. And by fresh, we mean luxuriously thick. This is not the time for second best. Add a hook behind the door for a towel or robe.

8. A selection of often-forgotten bathroom products is a thoughtful addition – sample size shampoos, toothbrush and toothpaste, razors and soap will keep sartorial standards up. A hairdryer completes the hotel feel.

9. If your spare room is equipped with a wardrobe, make room for your guest's clothes (and don't forget coat hangers). If not, a coat rack can do the trick, at least for short stays. A bench or ottoman is useful as a luggage rest, if you have the space.

10. Corral a spare phone charger and a power adapter in a small box or basket along with spare keys and details of your home wifi password. Rethink this tip if you have teenagers visiting.