Whether it be family, friends, or mere acquaintances – if you are having overnight guests stay with you, you will want them to feel relaxed and comfortable while visiting. If they don’t, not only will it make them feel weird, but it could make it awkward for you too.
If you need some pointers on how best to achieve this, keep reading. Here are six ways to make your overnight guests feel at home.
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Show them around
After they have arrived and had time to relax, it’s a good idea to give them a tour of your house. You needn’t show them rooms that they won’t be using, but letting them know where the bathroom and kitchen are will help them get their bearings.
If you have a garden, then show it to them too and how to access it. That way, they can pop in and out as they please.
Give them somewhere comfortable to sleep
If you don’t have a spare room, then it might be a good idea to give them your room or one of your children’s rooms if you can. It’s not so much of a deal if it’s a family member or very close friend staying, but if it’s friends you don’t know very well, it is probably the best option.
You could have the most comfortable sleeper sofa in the world set up in your lounge, but they are still likely to feel awkward in the morning if they are sleeping in a living area rather than a bedroom. You may not want to sleep in the lounge or the family room either, but it’s better you do than your guests.
Clear some space
If your guests stay for a few nights or longer, clearing a drawer and some wardrobe space will help make them feel at home. Living out of a suitcase isn’t much fun, so if they have somewhere to put their belongings, it will make all the difference.
Similarly, let them know that they are free to put any toiletries they may have in your bathroom, so they don’t have to keep going back and forth at night time or in the morning when they need something.
Provide accessories
It’s very easy to forget essentials when you go to stay over elsewhere. To avoid any embarrassment, supply your overnight guests with some toiletries and other essentials. Leave bath and hand towels out for them to use, and provide some shower gel and toothpaste if needed. It will let them know that you have given much thought to their visit, and come in very handy if they have omitted to bring something with them.
Blankets are also worth putting out too. They may find your home colder than they are used to, and it will give you peace of mind that if they get a bit chilly during the night, they can still get a decent sleep.
Ask about any dietary requirements
Even if you are going out for dinner rather than eating in, chances are your overnight guests will be eating breakfast there, so it’s wise to find out what kind of food they enjoy. Although many people love a fry up in the morning, others may prefer lighter foods such as cereal, yogurt, or toast. Asking in advance will give you the chance to do some shopping and be prepared when breakfast time arrives.
When staying in someone else’s home, you want to let them know that you appreciate it. Some people do this by asking if they can help cook or clear up dishes after dinner. If your guests ask and it isn’t going to stress you out, let them. It’s probably their way of saying thank you.
Make them feel at home
Your overnight guests might want to have some alone time during their stay, so make sure they know that they can do so whenever they want to. Giving them a key will make it easier for them to come and go as they please, so try to remember to do so when they first arrive.
Having some magazines and books in their room is another nice touch and, if their room has a TV in it, give them a quick tutorial on how to use it. The more relaxed they feel, the better their stay will be, so it’s nice to add some extra touches. They will probably have brought phones and tablets with them, too, so don’t forget to make your guest room gadget-friendly by giving them your Wi-Fi password. It will help to make them feel right at home during their visit.
Featured Photo by RODNAE Productions from Pexels
