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7 Dos & Don’ts to Hosting Guests

Welcoming Guests At Home

Hosting guests can be fun and rewarding, but it can also be a lot of work. To ensure your guest stays are as pleasurable and comfortable as possible, we have some tips to help you. From providing comfy mattresses to staying on the same page as your guests, here are seven dos and don’ts to hosting guests.

1) Do Make Them Feel Welcome

When hosting guests, make sure they feel welcome in your home. Let them know you’re happy to have them there and show it by offering food, drink, a comfortable place to sleep and anything else they might need. Ensure you also communicate clearly with them — let them know where they can find their things when meals will be served, and any other pertinent information. Finally, show your appreciation by thanking them for coming and maybe even giving a small token of your gratitude.

2) Don’t Make Them Sleep on the Couch

If you’ve gone through the trouble of inviting someone to stay at your home, if at all possible, don’t let them sleep on the couch. There are a lot of drawbacks to sleeping on the couch, including back and neck pain. These are much better solutions that you can investigate instead:

  • Invest in a fold-out sofa bed – This is an efficient, space-saving option, perfect for accommodating overnight guests. There are many varieties available these days, and they are much comfier than the old pull-out in your grandparents’ living room from back in the day.
  • Get an inflatable air mattress – These have recently seen a serious upgrade. They’re self-inflating, about five times as thick as they used to be and some even come with their own built-in bases.
  • Invest in a futon – Futons are great because they can turn into couches during the day and be used as beds at night. They’re excellent for home offices, dens and spare bedrooms.
  • Install a Murphy bed – A Murphy bed can be installed against the wall, making it ideally suited for small spaces while providing plenty of sleeping options when needed. Of course, they’re a little pricey, but for comfort and convenience, it’s worth it!
  • Use spare bedrooms – If you have extra rooms in your home, this is obviously the most convenient and comfortable option for housing overnight guests. A nice bed frame with a comfortable mattress is sure to be appreciated. We like memory foam mattresses because they provide great support and can be found at reasonable prices. But if the room needs to pull double duty and there isn’t room for a proper bed, just look back at our previous four suggestions. Any one of those will do!
Cleaning Furniture

3) Do Ensure They’re Comfortable

This includes everything from providing them with fantastic bedding pillows for a great night’s sleep to stocking up on toiletries, so they don’t have to worry about bringing any of their own. Ensure there are enough towels, blankets and other items easily accessible to them. If you can, offer snacks before bed and a light breakfast in the morning. Go the extra mile by giving them helpful tips about places to visit or restaurants to try — this will make them feel like they are really being taken care of.

4) Don’t Be Afraid to Set Boundaries Politely

This is especially important for guests who are staying for more than a night or two. Boundaries help ensure that everyone is comfortable and respected. Be polite but firm when you must ask them to follow certain rules, such as not smoking inside or keeping the noise level down after a certain hour. And if you have certain routines you can’t adjust, ensure your guests understand before they arrive. Set your expectations immediately so there are no surprises later on. But do so in a polite and understanding manner — you want them to have a pleasant stay and not feel like they’re being bossed around.

5) Do Keep the Place Clean

No one wants to stay in an unclean and untidy environment. So ensure your home is as clean and tidy as possible before guests arrive. This doesn’t mean you have to go overboard with cleaning, but just be sure to pick up any clutter and vacuum the floors. If they’re staying in a guest room, try to make some space for their things in the closet or drawers. Ensure their mattress is clean and fitted with comfy, fresh linens. And, of course, keep the bathroom clean and stocked with fresh towels! This will help them feel more at home since they know where their belongings are kept.

Hanging Out With Friends At Home

6) Don’t Make It a Party House

When hosting overnight guests, it’s important to remember that this isn’t a hotel, and your guests are not necessarily there to party. (Or maybe they are, and you can skip the rest of this — we don’t know your life!) If you’re throwing a get-together or having other friends over during their stay, be respectful of their space and keep the noise level down after a certain hour (and make sure everyone else is aware too).

It’s also important to provide them with their own key, so they can come and go as they please without disturbing your other guests. Just be sure not to over-host. That means don’t invite more people than your space can comfortably accommodate.

7) Do Show Them Around

Depending on how long they plan to stay, giving them a tour of your home and neighborhood is a good idea. This will help them get their bearings and make the most out of their visit. If you don’t have time to do this yourself, provide them with some links to local attractions or maps of the area. This is also a great opportunity to tell them about any services they can take advantage of while they’re in town, such as public transportation or nearby grocery stores. It’s always nice to have reliable information at hand.

Final Thoughts

By following these tips, you can ensure that everyone has a pleasant and comfortable stay. You’ll also be able to host overnight guests with ease and confidence. Your friends or family will appreciate you for making the extra effort to make them feel at home — they may even want to stay longer! Good luck, and happy hosting.

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