Whether you have guests over regularly or you want to be prepared for the holiday visits, it’s always a good idea to have a spare room for visitors. Sure, they could have the couch, but if you want them to feel welcomed and comfortable, it’s time to transform part of your home into a guest room.

Don’t worry if you’re doubling your office as a guest area. You can always hide the furniture using features like the latest awesome Murphy beds that tuck into the wall and other innovative ideas. We’ll share them with you in this short step-by-step guide to transform any space into a welcome guest area!

Step 1: Start Simple

Which space are you most likely to use for guests? That’s the area to concentrate on. You don’t have to focus on accessories or anything like that yet. Instead, decide where you want them to sleep, since that will be the primary reason they’ll need the area. Would a pull-out sofa or daybed be reasonable for the space? Would you prefer not to have the furniture all year ‘round, and a Murphy bed would be a better spacesaver? Start with the bed, and move on from there.

Step 2: Add the Sheet Set

Now that you know what the guest bed is going to look like, it’s time to invest in some guests sheets, pillows, and blankets. You want your guests to be comfortable, so give them a few options of pillow thicknesses (there’s a big difference for back, side, and front sleepers). Look for high-count sheets to avoid scratchy, uncomfortable sleeping, and finish it off with a comforter that fits the climate you’re in.

Step 3: Close the Window Blinds

No one likes to sleep in a room where the sun shines straight into their faces in the morning. Use dark curtains or room-darkening blinds to block those rays and give your guests privacy from outside eyes. If you’re using your living room or another shared space as a guest area, consider nabbing a room divider to give them (and you) some privacy.

Step 4: Make the Bathroom Accessible

Nearly as important as the bed is the bathroom. How accessible is this area from the guest sleeping space? You don’t want to be awoken from a sound sleep because of those midnight toilet trips, and neither does your guest. Be sure they have a clear path to the restroom. Use motion detection night lights to light the path for them.

Step 5: Add the Finishing Touches

Depending on whether you’re transforming a temporary space or making a guest room, you might want to add decor. Most guest areas are neutral, but you can use any theme you’d like, turning your guest area into a beach room or a tranquil getaway. Even if the sleeping space is a couch or a Murphy bed in the living room, a wise finishing touch is a white noise machine. That way, bathroom trips or snoring notwithstanding, you and your guests have some sound privacy, and you can enjoy the time with them without missing out on sleep!

5 Steps to a Quick and Easy Guest Room

Sure, you can make creating a guest area complicated, but why? It all boils down to these 5 simple steps that transform any space into a restful, comfortable sleeping area for your visitors.