Creating a guest room is about making your visitors feel at ease.

"Most people I know are usually a little uncomfortable sleeping away from home," said Robert Tucker, who owns the Taylor House Inn with his wife, Deborah.

Tucker shares these tips for making your home comfortable for company:

The bed: "The bed is the most crucial thing, and it needs to be comfortable," Tucker said.

Mattresses play a big role in the bed’s comfort. If the mattress is more than seven years old, replace it.

If you don’t have space for a traditional bed, look for comfortable convertible furniture. Futons and sleeper sofas have improved in recent years. "They’ve really developed those mattresses," Tucker said.

Even antique Murphy or hideaway beds can be made comfortable with new mattresses, Tucker said.

Linens: Good sheets don’t have to be fancy as long as they’re soft and clean. "I have more requests for soft cotton sheets than I do for any satin variety," Tucker said.

Having several throws available in addition to a good thick comforter makes it easy for your guests to get comfortable. Try to have at least one firm pillow and one soft pillow available. "Having one of each, you probably take care of 90 percent of everybody," Tucker said.

Décor: It should be simple and unimposing. "We do things that are usually historically related to the Taylor House, or we do lots of local artwork," Tucker said. Images reflecting the character or history of your area might work better than images of people, which can appear to be staring the guest down.

"Some of the local artwork is paintings of things on campus or a rendition of a boat scene or a streetscape. Those are probably the most neutral things," Tucker said.

Storage: Your guests will feel more comfortable if there’s space for their stuff. Clear out a dresser drawer, and at the very least make sure there is space in the closet to hang clothing.

"Space goes back to ‘clean, neat and tidy.’ I use those three words all the time," Tucker said. "Even if it’s just one drawer, if you can, clear out the whole thing."

Privacy: Your friends and family members should feel secure in your home. Layering a heavier curtain over a sheer curtain allows guests seclusion during the evening and the option of letting light in during the day, Tucker said.

A big privacy issue is the bathroom. Clear out the knickknacks, but include the essentials: soap, shampoo and conditioner, a hair dryer, an extra roll of toilet paper and several clean towels.

"Just keep it clean and unobstructed," Tucker said.

Entertainment: It’s OK if you don’t have an extra television in the room. Try putting out a few books or magazines.

"We have all kinds of literature: best-sellers, magazines, local interest books," Tucker said.

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