The Little Things That Make Overnight Guests Feel at Home

If you’ve ever been the first person awake in someone else’s house, you’ve probably wondered whether to start the coffee or wait for your host. You can feel completely welcome and still be unsure about opening a cupboard or choosing a towel.

I’ve gathered a few ideas to help you get ready for your own overnight guests, whether they’ll have a room to themselves or you’re turning the living room into a bedroom for the weekend.

Make Room for Their Things

Start with a place where your guests can leave their suitcase open. A bench or luggage rack works well, and a sturdy chair is useful if that’s what you have. For a short visit, a few hangers and a hook for a jacket may be all the extra storage they need. If they’re staying longer, clearing a drawer lets them unpack a little more.

Guests using a sofa bed or air mattress will appreciate somewhere to keep their things during the day, too. A small basket works for a towel, toiletries and a charger, and they can carry it into the bathroom when they need it. Beside the bed, leave room for a book, glasses and a drink of water. You can borrow a side table from another room or pull up a chair for the weekend.

If you’ll be putting the bed away each morning, choose a place to keep all of the bedding together. A large basket or an empty shelf will do until it’s time to make up the bed again.

Think Through the First Night

As you’re showing guests around, mention the things you do without thinking, such as locking the front door or setting the alarm before bed. You can show them the bathroom and where to get a glass of water along the way. It’s also helpful to point out a pet gate, a steep staircase or a hallway light that’s hard to find.

A phone charger is easy to forget when you’re packing, so leave a spare near the bed if you have one. Check that there’s an outlet within reach and a lamp guests can turn off once they’re under the covers. We also recommend leaving the Wi-Fi password on a desk or nightstand for easy access.

In a shared bathroom, setting out a towel and washcloth for each person takes away any uncertainty about which ones to use. Leave a little space beside the sink for their toiletries and extra toilet paper where they can find it. A spare toothbrush, toothpaste, shampoo and soap are helpful if someone realizes they’ve forgotten something after the stores have closed.

Help Them Get Comfortable

People have different ideas about the right temperature for sleeping. An extra blanket at the end of the bed and a fan nearby give your guests some options without having to search through the house at night. If you have a choice of pillows, ask which they’d prefer while you’re showing them the room. You can explain how to adjust the thermostat or room controls then, too.

Then there’s the morning light. An office can feel perfectly comfortable during the day and be bright enough to wake someone at sunrise. If you don’t usually sleep in the room, take a look at how well the curtains or blinds cover the window. For getting around after dark, keep the path to the bathroom clear and leave a night-light along the way.

Make Mornings Easy

It’s much easier to make yourself at home in someone’s kitchen once you know which cupboard holds the mugs. Before bed, show your guests where you keep the coffee, tea and breakfast food, and invite them to help themselves in the morning. If the coffee maker has a personality of its own, a quick demonstration is a good idea.

If you enjoy making breakfast when you have company, let guests know roughly when you’ll eat. Fruit, granola bars or bread for toast will tide over anyone who wakes up hungry. And if the kitchen gets busy early with the rest of your household, mentioning that the night before helps visitors know what to expect.

Make Space for Downtime

After a morning out together, your guests might enjoy an hour with a book or a walk on their own before dinner. Share any plans for meals and outings so they know when you’re getting together and when they can do their own thing. For someone who’d like to explore, you could recommend your favorite coffee shop, share a few restaurant menus or suggest a nearby walking path.

A puzzle on the coffee table is a nice option for time at home. Guests can work on it while you finish getting ready, and anyone can join in later. Apartment Therapy calls this a “home base”: a shared spot with a puzzle or game people can come back to throughout the visit. A few magazines nearby offer something for anyone who’d prefer to read.

I hope you enjoy the extra time with friends and family. If you’d like recommendations for restaurants or places to visit while they’re here, I'm happy to share a few favorites.