If you've got family or friends visiting you, more than likely you're glad to see them, and they you. But even with the best of relationships, your guests (and you) are going to need some quiet time away from each other.

Turning your guest room into a haven filled with the essentials and a few luxuries will go a long way toward providing your guests with an enjoyable stay. Your guest room should be quiet, clean, and attractive, and be cool in the summer and warm in the winter. A CD player with CDs representing your guests' favorite style of music will be welcomed, as will a collection of favorite books and magazines. Extra blankets for cold weather sleeping can be draped over the bed or a chair in the room.

Make sure you have on hand some basic food items. A mini-fridge with spring water, juices, or teas will be welcome, as will a stock of granola bars, crackers, jams or cheeses. A basket of fresh fruit is another healthy addition to your guest room. Add a few luxurious touches, like some gourmet chocolates, to make your guests feel really pampered. For cooler weather, have a way for your guests to heat up water or milk for hot chocolate or tea, and be sure to provide the ingredients. A steamy cup of gourmet hot chocolate on a cold night will be e memorable event!

Make it easy for your guests to provide for their own needs. Make sure they've got plenty of towels, facecloths, soaps, and lotions for their own personal care. You might even want to provide a bathrobe like some hotels do, in case they forgot to pack their own, and some new terrycloth slippers. Toothpaste and toothbrushes in their original packaging may save you or your guests a trip to the nearest drugstore.

Providing your guests with their own space within your house, and making it easy for them to meet their own personal needs while they are visiting you, will ease the stress that sometime comes with housing people overnight, and will add to the enjoyment of the visit, for them and for you.