Come November, the guest room often becomes the most popular spot in the house, with friends and family visiting for holiday celebrations through the New Year. Of course, you want your company to feel welcome and comfortable during their stay, so if you spare bedroom doesn’t exactly scream “welcome home!” now is the perfect time to spruce it up, before the season truly launches into full swing.

Below, we’ve put together a few of our favorite tips for getting your guest room ready for the holidays.

1. Consider lighting. Lighting is one of the most crucial elements to creating a room that feels cozy and welcoming. If the only lighting currently in the guest room is a harsh overhead light, try adding a floor or table lamp at the bedside. It will create a softer glow than the overhead light, and give guests the option to read in bed if they so choose.

2. Add wall art. Bare walls are the fastest way to give a room a cold, institutional feel — not exactly the atmosphere you’re looking for in a guest room. Adding wall art, even just a large mirror or painting above the bed–will make the room feel much more homey and personal.

3. Lay down an area rug. When it’s 32 degrees outside, your guests will appreciated having something other than your cold hardwood floors to step on when they get out of bed. Area rugs also lend a finished quality to a space by grounding furniture arrangements and tying everything together.

4. Add extra blankets. You never know who has cold feet! Dress the bed with a single sheet and comforter, and then store extra pillows and blankets in a basket or storage bench at the end of the bed to keep everyone comfortable.

5. Include a nightstand. A nightstand or bedside table is convenient to give guests a spot to stash glasses, books, and charging phones. To really be the hostess with the mostess, set out local guidebooks, a few favorite novels, or magazines you think your guests will like on the table.

What’s your favorite way to make a guest room feel cozy for the holidays?