I admit I make a lot of “never again” vows (eating pancakes at brunch, doing shots of any kind), but this one has stuck. The inherent chill, the weird squeaky sounds every time you move, the likelihood it will half-deflate by morning – and don’t get me started on sharing an air mattress with someone else. No thanks.
Having made such a declaration, how could I provide less for guests in my own home? After years of putting people up on a futon in various apartment living rooms, buying a house created our first opportunity to offer a real guest room.
As any lifestyle blog will tell you, the sky’s the limit when it comes to decking out a luxurious guest “retreat.” But for those of us still slowly replacing our mismatched thrift-store furniture, I offer a few humble, achievable guidelines. Whatever your space – dedicated guest bedroom, an extra bed in your office, a futon in the living room, or yes, even the dreaded air mattress anywhere it fits – you can create an inviting place that will encourage your loved ones to visit. Most of the basics are cheap and portable, so you can bring them out when needed (and stash them in a closet otherwise).
