Tips for making guests feel at home

When you have overnight guests in your home, it’s important that they have their own space and feel comfortable — even though they are in an unfamiliar environment. Whether you have a designated guest bedroom in your home or you’re “making over” an existing bedroom for temporary use by guests, there are a number of things you can do to ensure that they feel at home. Here’s a top 10 list of touches you can add to make their stay enjoyable.

1. Use twin beds rather than one large mattress. This allows your guests to modify the arrangements based on their sleeping habits. Twin beds are easy to push together or keep separated by a small table and lamp. The important thing is that they have a choice — and they’ll appreciate it.

2. Leave plenty of empty closet space with empty hangars. Avoid the temptation to pack a spare room closet with out-of-season clothes, extra coats and other items. A roomy closet prevents guests from feeling that they are “intruding” on your space.

3. In smaller rooms, place a small, comfortable chaise at the foot of the bed to provide a cozy space for your guests to relax in comfort and privacy.

4. Using the same rationale as the empty closet, make sure you clear the top of the dresser to provide room for your guests’ toiletries and other items.

5. If closet space is limited, make a portable luggage rack available to their guests so that they can stay organized without feeling uncomfortable by bothering you.

6. Leave out extra quilts and blankets, so your guests won’t have to choose between being chilly all night or bothering you after everyone has gone to bed.

7. Add a few cozy touches, like flowers or good books. A pitcher of fresh water with glasses is a thoughtful touch, so your guests won’t be wandering in search of water in the middle of the night.

8. A personal alarm clock gives your guests a feeling of control, which is always important in making them comfortable in an unfamiliar setting.

9. Leave bathroom linens and soaps in the guest room. This is especially important when guests are sharing a bathroom with your family.

10. If the room is large enough, set up a seating area with a small table and two chairs. It adds to your guests’ sense of privacy.

Hosting guests is all about making them feel welcome in their own space, and they’ll appreciate your thoughtfulness. Just think about what you would need to be as comfortable as possible outside of your home, and the ideas will keep coming.

_{We’ve got plenty of other ideas at Shofer's Furniture. Email us your questions/comments to info@shofers.com}