10 guest room essentials for a more comfortable stay — starting at just $5

Lots of icky things can come between you and a nice, clean breath of air: dust miles, pollen, pet dander, smoke, viruses, mold spores and much more. But now you can be your own force of nature with the Miko Home Air Purifier. This true HEPA purifier can also be used for aromatherapy.

Fall is prime time for layering — your clothes but also your bed! Keep a few different blankets in varying thicknesses and sizes on hand so you can give your guests options. I like to leave out a light quilt, a wooly or knit throw and for an extra boost of warmth, an electric heated blanket. Anyone who runs cold will appreciate having something cozy to snuggle up with. 

This option offers low-, medium- and high-temperature modes and is currently 50% off. The reversible design features one fluffy flannel side and one that's velvety smooth to the touch.

A candle in a pretty frosted jar gives you double the bang for your buck: It adds a lovely scent to your room, plus it serves as decor. Your guests don't even need to light it. It's just nice to have for ambiance.

These Better Homes & Gardens candles — just $5 each! — bring in those lovely scents of fall, with a wooden wick that diffuses them further and longer throughout the home.

You know that feeling of sliding into crisp sheets in a nice hotel? Well, you can give your guests that same five-star experience by making the bed with fresh linens. I like white sheets because they just look clean, plus they're easy to bleach if needed. 

If you'd rather have another hue, this bedding set also comes in ivory, light gray, dark gray and navy. (You can scoop it up in other sizes, too — twin, full and king.)

Did you know you're supposed to replace your bed pillows every couple of years? So please ditch those floppy, flat-as-a-pancake, stained (eek) pillows, especially in your guest room! Even if you can't see the wear underneath a pillowcase, your guests may strip the bed at the end of their stay, so it pays to make sure everything looks fresh.

Down-alternative pillows are a safe bet because they're pleasantly fluffy, but better than real down feathers for anyone with allergies.

A charging station placed on the nightstand, can be a ... powerful addition to a guest room, but not many people think to include one. I wouldn't necessarily buy one just for visitors, but I'd make sure to move it into their room during their stay. 

Bonus: A designated charging station helps prevent guests from borrowing your cords — and forgetting to return them! 

I realize laying down a new rug is more involved than adding a candle to your guest room — but boy, is it nice to treat visitors to something soft underfoot, and a patterned rug can really perk up a space. Even a small mat can do the trick! 

If you really want to go the extra mile, you can leave a pair of cozy socks or slippers in a basket by the bed. 

Nothing says "welcome" more than plants, whether they're fresh flowers in a vase or a realistic-looking faux tree in the corner of the room. I love using just a single bloom in a bud vase because it doesn't take up a ton of space. 

If you do go faux, place the plant in a cute pot or basket to help it keep up its convincing appearance. And don't forget to dust the leaves before visitors arrive!

If you've ever tried to grab an extra hour of shut-eye in a house full of people, you know the value of a sound machine. This little gadget can be a total game-changer, especially if you or your guests have kids. It'll let your guests sleep more soundly so you can all co-exist peacefully.

This particular model also has a night light, which comes in handy if you're tight on space and don't also have room for a bedside lamp.

If your linen closet is full of random towels from various sets over the years, considering investing in a new collection. Make sure to leave your guests with a couple of bath towels, plus hand towels and wash cloths. I place them folded at the foot of the bed, so there's no confusion about what they should use.