IT'S TIME FOR A GUEST ROOM MAKEOVER; THE SMALL TOUCHES MAKE A BIG DIFFERENCE.

Byline: Barbara De Witt Fashion Editor

Company's coming!

Hey, you knew they were coming for the holidays. You invited them. And you even washed the dog and car and baked some cookies.

But what about the guest room? You know, the spare bedroom down the hall where you iron and exercise on the rowing machine whenever you find the time. The same room where the closet is bulging with last season's clothes and all those clothes you might fit into . . . someday.

Yeah, that's the room we're talking about. And it needs an overhaul before you can put out the welcome mat.

To make guests feel really welcome, a good host does more than hand them a stack of clean sheets, say etiquette experts.

Back in 1922, Emily Post advised in her famous etiquette book, ``If a guest prefers to sit on the veranda and read, don't do something else. If, on the other hand, a guest wants to exercise, don't do everything in your power to obstruct his starting off by saying that it will surely rain, or that it is too hot, or that you think it is senseless to spend days that should be a rest to him in utterly exhausting himself.''

Now, in the 15th edition of ``Emily Post's Etiquette,'' it's clear nothing has changed when it comes to hospitality.

A host still should spend a night in his own guest room to check the facilities, including the mattress, closet space, a spare drawer in the dresser, unclogged drains and toilets that flush properly.

Clean towels and a fresh bar of soap are a necessity, she writes, and a basket filled with bath oil, bath powder and hand lotion is a nice touch. So are a reading lamp, clock, wastebasket and extra blanket at the foot of the bed.

Beverly Clark, the Santa Barbara-based manners maven who's written umpteen books on etiquette, thinks a guest room should be well-appointed and well-decorated to create a welcoming ambience.

Clark says it doesn't take a lot of work to create a cheerful room, just thoughtfulness. And maybe a new bedspread.

``I don't put a mint on the pillow, but I do place a dish of cookies and candy next to the bed. And maybe a cup of hot cider and a decanter of water with a glass on top,'' Clark said.

Tiny bottles of the guest's favorite liquor and glasses on a little tray, are a nice touch, too, she says. And since we live in earthquake country, she also advises putting a flashlight filled with fresh batteries near the bed.

While she admits a passion for decorating - and has had her home photographed in several decorating magazines - Clark says a good guest room doesn't have to be fancy, just clean.

``Air out the room, move the vacuum cleaner and ironing board (out of sight), have empty hangers in the closet, and put clean sheets on the bed. And always ask if your guests are allergic to feathers in advance so you can remove down-filled pillows and comforters before they arrive,'' Clark says.

This etiquette expert thinks a TV in the guest room is nice, if you have a spare one, but says a good host will at least have magazines and books geared to the guests' tastes. And if there's a fireplace in the room, put a log on the hearth and have matches handy, she adds.

Now, about that decor.

Clark says she always decorates her entire house for whatever holiday it is, and continues the theme into the guest room. She likes fresh flowers, a small Christmas tree or a topiary, as well as a wreath over the bed, a pillow that says ``Welcome,'' and orange clove pomanders or scented candles.

Other details include fresh towels that have been rolled up and tied with ribbons for a festive touch, plus a fancy basket of toiletries in the guest bathroom. ``They can be those little samples sold at the drugstore, including bath gel, shampoo and maybe a new toothbrush,'' Clark says.

If you have children visiting, put away the breakables in the room, and bring out things to entertain them, such as books, games and videos. ``In our house we've got coloring and activity books, and always new boxes of crayons,'' she adds.

The bottom line?

``You want guests to feel welcome and totally at home, yet special. I like to have a little surprise waiting for them, and I try to make the room like a getaway, much like a bed-and-breakfast inn,'' Clark said. ``That way, they'll want to come back.''

Guest room checklist

Be sure you've taken care of the following details before your overnight guests arrive:

Room cleaned and aired.

Curtains and bedspread clean.

A table for guest's belongings.

Closet space and extra hangers.

Clean towels and fresh bar of soap.

Personal touches (magazines and candy).

Holiday decorations, fresh flowers.

CAPTION(S):

7 Photos, box

Photo: (1 -- cover -- color) Be our guest

Help holiday visitors feel right at home

(2 -- color) A guest room needs to be clean and cheerful to welcome guests. A host should spend a night in his own guest room to check the facilities, including the mattress, and make sure there's closet space and a spare drawer in the dresser.

(3 -- color) Reading materials, a pot of tea or cider, and fresh flowers make a guest feel welcome.

(4 -- 5 -- color) Pillows, a reading lamp and an extra blanket add warmth to any guest room. A supply of videos can be a treat when guests of any age come to visit.

(6 -- color) A fresh bar of soap and clean towels are a necessity for houseguests, and an array of toiletries in miniature sizes adds a luxurious touch.

(7) A bottle of water, a flashlight and a dish of candy could all come in handy.

Evan Yee/Staff Photographer

Box: Guest room checklist (See text)