When my friend and I got in late to her friend's house for the night, she had set out a small tray of snacks in our room - water, pretzels, dried fruit, etc. In the morning she made eggs for us while we sat around and talked - nothing says easygoing hospitality like someone making you eggs for breakfast. Another friend left out candles and matches in the bedroom. Offering the shower after a long flight and before any activities is also really thoughtful. I definitely second the flower idea - it shows forethought and the host's good feelings about your visit.

"Pillow presents" are a staple at a friend's house. A small individualized giftie (or note) is left on the pillow of the guest bed - it ups the ante from a standard hotel mint.

My guests always seem to like the fact that I set out a shower basket with bath items -- a nice chrome basket left over from college days, filled with some colorful washcloths, bath toiletries scrounged from nicer hotels (soaps, shampoo, conditioner, lotion), extra toothbrush & toothpaste.

Anyone know where i can find the tissue box from the first shot?

a reading lamp is always nice, and something my mom made a note of the last time she was here, a small trash bin.

Unfortunately we don't have a guest bedroom so the office gets an air mattress, but we try to make due with that we have until we have more room for guests

Especially when I'm a first-time guest somewhere, I've always really appreciated it when my hosts included practical information on the grand tour -- here's where to find the water glasses, this is what's in the fridge, where to find extra soap, toilet paper, etc. I always feel a little more comfortable and self-sufficient, and it's a nice way to emphasize to guests that they're welcome to help themselves to food, etc.

I agree with Emily W. We have a binder that we leave out for guests that includes practical info like how to work the remote controls, emergency numbers etc (especially handy if you are doing a house swap) and we also include local maps, a list of local attractions, our favorite restaurants and take-out joints, and stores etc.

A chalk board above the bed is not a good idea, as guests may have dust allergies. Also, I'm not sure about leaving a jar of water (as in the first photo) beside the bed - seems confusing, like you forgot to put a flower in it or something. Why not an ordinary glass?

Once when I visited an old roommate, she left an old photo album next to the bed and it was sooooo thoughtful, I spent an hour reliving memories.

I grew up in the South and we drink from Mason Jars all the time-- that bedroom is so welcoming, I just want to climb right in and stay forever.
I also am a sucker for all white sheets and use them on my bed too!

These things are all nice, as long as you don't get too stressed out about logistics. Guests want to feel that you're happy to see them -- not that you're stressing about their visit.

I like the tips that everyone has offered! We now have enough room to really make the guests feel welcome, and I hope to start using some of these tips to make them feel at home.

Emily

The one thing I always try to offer is a laundry hamper. I keep a pop-up one tucked away and offer it to my guests to keep in a corner of the "guest room" (re: living room). If you are living in borrowed space, it's nice to not have to mix your dirty stuff with your clean stuff.

Plenty of linens on a freshly made bed, a stack of magazines, liquid soap, shampoo and shower gel (in luxurious scents) in the bathroom (especially if guests will be sharing a bath), plenty of fresh towels and hooks in the bath for hanging them, a drawer with extras like razors, toothbrushes and other oft-forgotten items (unused, of course), a laundry basket for soiled items, a lamp, hangers in the closet and some privacy! Though I like to cook for my guests, I often have muffins, juice, and an assortment of cereal set out in the mornings so they can help themselves on their own schedule. I also always leave a "sweet dreams" note with a sweet treat on the pillows. Most importantly, though, I make sure the guest areas are sparkling clean

I keep a shelf of books near where the aerobed ends up landing that holds all our books on the history of our area, the City, local sights, local authors, brochures from churches or museums. Collections of short stories and some zines also seem to provide guests good before-bed reading.

Make sure your guests know ahead of time what pets you have. The last time I visited my best friend from college, she'd recently gotten a new cat -- I'm horribly allergic to cats and after one horrible night, I was forced to get a hotel room. I felt so guilty leaving, but now know to always tell my guests about my dog before they come to stay!

I like to see guests who stay in a hotel. I don't really think they want to camp out with me.

When I am lucky enough to get people in, I'm usually about as excited as a Labrador, so the idea of 'relax' is a little lost. I usually say 'hey, let's cook and drink wine and play!'.

I (at least) take them to their room to drop off their stuff, have them take off their shoes, and give them the tour. I show them the bathroom, the kitchen, and the areas where they can get stuff without asking permission. I.e., 'Here's where we keep glasses, and here's the juice and the water in the fridge. Help yourself! Here's the bread and the toaster, you can get it any time. Here's the bookshelf, these were really good reads, check it out.'

I suppose it sounds like a kid showing off their stuff (like when my niece gives me HER grand tour of her room) but I like them to know how to get stuff without "asking".

There was an unofficial rule I grew up with: the first time you visit, you get waited on. The second time, you get shown how to help. The third time, you're just like family!

interesting request I had by a couple staying with us : paint. for their bodies.

ended up in my shower some how.

the basket of toiletries went untouched though. :/

extra tooth brushes are always good to have around, and show them how to use your computer or set up a guest account if they want to check e-mail.

I second Egidio, warning visitors about my dog...although I say it as "reminding." I also make sure to vacuum twice with the HEPA vacuum before people come over, and I try to do that at least 3 hours before they arrive so that I don't just end up stirring up more dust...

Even though I don't have children, I make sure that little ones staying at my house have a drawer of toys just for them (the pirate ship is very popular) and some funky reusable plastic tableware.

Last thing...I make a kit for guests based on the one I take when traveling, stocking a wire mesh bowl with toothbrushes and toothpastes, 'travel size' goodies from hotels, and a few doses of OTC meds: ibuprofen, Rolaids, allergy tablets. You know. Just in case.

Wow there is a little wabi sabi going on in those pictures just a dab.

where can I find a blackboard like the one in the picture???
It's fabulous!!!

@carlottasiboni, I found the blackboard on the curb of a church that was renovating! I love it too.

Jeanine

@Jose A: I have that very tissue box. It's bamboo. I bought mine at Target for $15 or $20, I can't recall the exact price.
Great post!