Are you determined to make your overnight guests’ stay as unforgettable as possible? In this article, we are sharing 7 tips for keeping house guests as comfortable as possible when they sleep over so that they feel like they’re staying in a five-star hotel. Being a good hostess doesn’t have to cost a lot of money or take up a huge chunk of your time. All that’s required is that you pay extra attention to the little things and be considerate of your guests’ preferences and needs, all of which will be covered in this article.
In addition to these seven tips, we have included a FAQ section where we answer some guest-related questions, as well as a section that includes some of our best air mattress recommendations in case you have a small space to work with.
With that out of the way, it’s time to delve into our first tip on making your overnight guests comfortable.
Preparing for House Guests
Before we move on to the seven practical tips that will help keep your overnight house guests comfortable, here are some tips on how to prepare your house and guest room for your guests.
See If They Have Any Special Dietary Needs
Having overnight guests means you’ll be sharing at least two meals together – dinner and breakfast. Before your guests come over, you need to plan what you’ll prepare for those meals, or, if you don’t feel like cooking, where you’ll get takeout from. To make sure they’re satisfied with your choices, ask them whether they have any special dietary needs, allergies, or food restrictions. These usually include dairy, meat, and gluten.
After you know what kind of ingredients to avoid (if any), visit the grocery store to get everything you need. Don’t forget to ask them about beverages – if they drink decaf or regular coffee, how they like their tea, etc. This will ensure that you get everything you need in one go so that you don’t have to visit the grocery store on multiple occasions.
Don’t forget to add some snacks and drinks in the guest room so they don’t have to leave the room if they get hungry at any point during the night.
Clean Your House
One of the most important things you should do prior to having overnight guests over is clean your house and your guest room thoroughly. Vacuum the floor, wipe the bed tables and any other surfaces you think they’ll be using, and provide clean sheets for their bed or air mattress.
Pay special attention to the bathroom they’ll be using and make sure you deep clean it before they arrive.
Provide Extra Sheets, Towels, and Blankets
When you have guests over, one of your priorities is to make them feel at home, and making the guest room as cosy as possible by adding blankets is an easy way to create a homey atmosphere. In the guest bathroom, add a couple of extra towels in a range of sizes so you give them options.
If your guests are staying for multiple nights, provide extra sheets for them. Consider the type and material of the sheets – you don’t want your guests to be overheated or cold, so choose the material and type depending on the current temperature. If you have extra pillows at hand, add them to their bed as decoration.
7 Tips for Keeping Your Guests Comfortable
The Sleeping Arrangements Are Crucial
In terms of sleeping arrangements, you have several options, including having your guests stay in your guest room (if you have one), or if you have a small space to work with, utilising air mattresses. Think about the number of guests you’ll be having over and arrange the beds according to that. If your guests include small children, you’ll also want to think about where they will be sleeping. Make sure the sleeping arrangements are prepared before they arrive so that you don’t have to waste any time you could be spending enjoying their company.
Allow for Maximum Storage Space
Another way to make your overnight guests feel welcome in your house is by making enough room for them to put all their belongings when they come over. This includes anything from freeing up wardrobe space in your guest bedroom to making room in the drawers for them to put their stuff. The more days they’ll be staying over, the more space they’ll likely need.
This also applies to the bathroom – free up some space in the drawers and on the counters for them to place their toiletries.
Give Them a Tour of the House
If your guests aren’t that acquainted with your house, make sure you give them a quick tour once they enter so that they know where everything is. Show them where they’ll be sleeping, what bathroom they’ll be using, where they can store their things, and where they can help themselves to food and beverages. If there are some appliances they need to know how to navigate, such as the temperature regulator, walk them over the process so that they don’t have to ask you while they’re staying.
This also includes showing them around the guest room and telling them where they can find the essential items such as towels, toiletries, and extra sheets.
Stock Up on Some Essentials
Speaking of toiletries, it’s always a good idea to place extra shampoo, conditioner, and soap in the bathroom your guests will be using. While most people usually bring their own toiletries while travelling, they might forget to bring them, so it’s crucial that you provide some options in case this happens.
To avoid spending a lot of money in the process, we recommend buying travel-sized toiletries, just like the ones you’d find in a hotel. While they can’t be considered essentials, if you’d really like to go all out with your role as a hostess, you can always add things like cotton buds, makeup remover, and deodorant.
Pay Attention to the Small Things
The small things make all the difference when it comes to keeping your guests as comfortable as possible. Going out of your way to include little details will make your guests’ stay that much more memorable. For instance, you can add slippers and bathrobes in the bathroom, or add a selection of candles in the guest room. If you have an impressive collection of books in your home, pick a selection of books you think your guests might like and put them on their nightstand, along with some magazines in case they aren’t in the mood for reading.
If you have the option to, add blackout curtains in your guest room to ensure that your guests are getting good quality sleep. Another thoughtful detail you can include is writing down your Wi-Fi password and leaving it in the guest room.
While these can’t be classified as necessary, we’re certain that your guests will appreciate them!
Accommodate the Kids
If your overnight guests include kids, try your best to make their stay as fun as possible. Apart from providing them with the essentials like healthy snacks and beverages, it’s always a good idea to include fun board games you think they’d like. If applicable, you can also create a custom toy basket with age-appropriate toys. By doing so, you will make it easier for the parents to enjoy their stay because it will give the kids something to do.
If you have added some activities in your itinerary that aren’t appropriate for kids, you should think about arranging for a babysitter to come while you’re away from the house.
Provide Entertainment for Everyone
If your guests are staying over for a couple of days, chances are you will need to find some activities to fill up the time. These activities can be done outside the house – dinners, picnics, and nights out on the town are great options, but what if both you and your guests are homebodies?
There are multiple ways you can entertain your guests from the comfort of your own home. For instance, you can bring out some fun board games, or, if your guests are of age, drinking games like beer pong. It’s always a good idea to have movies and puzzles at your disposal in case you don’t have any plans for the night. If you’re in the mood for it, you can cosy up your living room and arrange a movie marathon. Don’t forget the popcorn and comfy blankets.
Air Mattress Recommendations
Struggling to find the perfect air mattress that will keep your overnight guests comfortable and pain-free? Here are three recommendations that are guaranteed to replicate the feeling of sleeping in their own bed.
If you want an affordable double air mattress, you can’t go wrong with the Pavilo Quick Inflation Air Mattress. It has a quick inflation and deflation process so it won’t take your guests a long time to assemble it. Additionally, you can use it as a camping bed when you don’t have guests over.
The Intex Trading Ltd Air Bed is a waterproof and outdoor-friendly option that will provide a lot of support and comfort for your guests. Plus, it’s relatively affordable and guaranteed to last you for a long time thanks to its sturdy design.
Lastly, if you’re looking for something more luxurious to treat your guests with, check out the Zenph Air Bed. It’s queen-sized, auto-inflatable, sturdy, and comfortable – everything they’ll ever need in an air bed.
Tips for When You’re Staying Over at Someone’s House
We gave you some tips on how to keep your overnight guests comfortable, but what happens when you’re the one who’s staying over at someone’s house? Here are some tips to make sure you’re as stellar of a guest as could be.
Always offer to help with chores, such as cooking or cleaning. There’s nothing more annoying than having guests over who treat your house as a hotel and don’t help you with anything. Chances are, your hosts won’t want you to get involved because you’re their guest, but offer to help anyway.
Make sure you tidy up after yourself and keep your guest room and bathroom in pristine condition.
If you’re in the mood for it, you can surprise them with coffee and breakfast, or cook an elaborate dinner. We’re sure they’ll appreciate the effort.
Before you make your visit, inform your hosts about the length of time you’ll be staying at their place and whether you have any special dietary requirements so they can plan accordingly.
Adjust to their schedule – if they go to bed earlier than you, keep the noise down. If you sleep in the living room, make sure there isn’t a big discrepancy in the time they wake up and the time you wake up because they’ll probably feel bad about disturbing you and going on with their day.
FAQs
How Can I Make My Guests Feel Comfortable at Night?
There are several ways you can ensure that your guests are as comfortable as possible during their stay. For instance, tidying up your guest room and providing enough space for their belongings in the bathroom and closet is crucial. Another thing you can do is stock up your fridge with food and beverages and add some snacks in their guest room so they don’t have to go to the kitchen if they’re ever hungry. Providing some entertainment in the guest room is another good idea – adding a stack of books or magazines on the nightstand should do the trick.
Should You Let Guests Sleep in Your Bed?
If you don’t have a spare bedroom, allowing your guests to sleep in your bed is a good option. However, if you’re not comfortable with that, you can always invest in an air mattress or a pull-out sofa bed.
How Long Should a Guest Stay?
The duration of the stay depends on the guests. If they’re in town for a night, they’ll probably want to stay only one night in your place. To ensure that there isn’t any miscommunication between you and your guests, ask them in advance how long they’re planning to stay.
Final Thoughts
We hope you enjoyed reading our seven tips for keeping house guests as comfortable as possible when they sleep over.
Overnight guests can be tricky to arrange for due to the number of details you should consider, like their sleeping arrangements, food, and toiletries, but your guest enjoying their stay makes it all worth it. Apart from the necessities, like purchasing food and drinks, you should also pay attention to the entertainment you’ll provide and their itinerary. Before they arrive, deep clean your house and prepare the guest room. Bonus points if you add certain details like hand sanitiser and candles. When they arrive, consider giving them a tour of the house and letting them know where they can find what they need, and with all that, you should be remembered as a great host.
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