If, as the song goes, it's the most wonderful time of the year, then it's the season for readying a space for visiting relatives and friends. Whether you are furnishing a guest bedroom or fitting out a multi-use space such as a den, playroom or home office, the essential elements to consider are the same: a comfortable place to sleep, a convenient place to hang and/or stash clothing, proper lighting–ambient, decorative and task–and a cushy reading chair.