Make Overnight Guests Feel Welcome in Your Home – Tips How To
Tip #1
Don’t Try to Guess
If you have new guests coming over for an overnight visit, trying to guess what they may or may not like can spell certain d-i-s-a-s-t-e-r. For example, you may be perfectly comfortable living in your home with your furry pets. But if any of your guests are allergic to Rover or Kitty, they may spend their visit miserably gulping Benadryl�® tablets and clutching their hankies.
To make your guests feel welcome, when the arrangements are initially made, find out as much as you can about their preferences. For example, are they allergic to pets or certain foods? Do they have a special diet, such as Vegetarian? Find out as much about them as possible so you can accommodate their important needs. Granted, you’re not going to “go all out for them” like they’re staying at the Hilton, but still, everyone has specific needs that need attention.
Tip #2 Give Them Space and Privacy
You don’t have to have a large, lavish home to make your guests feel welcome either. If you have a spare bedroom, then no one in the family gets relocated. But, if you don’t, then it’s best to move someone out of their room so your overnight guests have their own space and privacy. Guests should understand there’s going to be a certain amount of clutter if they’re staying in someone’s room. But still, keep it to a minimum so they’re not tripping over someone’s belongings. And if you’ve junked up your spare bedroom, it’d be a good idea to stash some stuff away before your overnight guests arrive.
Tip #3 Don’t Forget the Bed!
A good mattress that’s made-up with clean sheets, blankets and plenty of fluffy pillows can go a long way in helping your overnight guests feel welcome. Since people have different “comfort zones”, it’s a good idea to place an extra blanket or two in the room too.
Tip #4 Pay Attention to Two Critical Areas
Affording to hire a cleaning service to come into your home before overnight guests arrive is a good thing, but not all of us have that kind of money to spend. Even if you’re in a hurry, you can quickly pick up clutter, run the vacuum and hit the noticeable areas with a dust cloth to make your home look cleaner. Then, use the most time you have available to clean the two most important places in your home: 1) The Kitchen, and 2) The Bathroom. Call it “human nature”, but most people cringe at the sight of a dirty kitchen or bathroom.
Tip #5 Give Them a Quick Tour
After they arrive, to make your guests feel welcome in your home, give them a quick tour of the living areas in your home. This way, it will be easier for them to find their way around. Show them their bedroom and the bathroom they’ll be using, and help them get settled in.
Tip #6 Food and Drink
To help make my overnight guests more comfortable, and, so I don’t have to perform waitress services the entire time they’re visiting, I make sure there’s plenty of easy-to-fix food in my refrigerator and pantry. I also show them where the dishes are kept, as well as anything else I think they’ll need during their stay. That way, they can get something to drink or a snack to eat anytime they wish without them feeling like they’re imposing.
You don’t have to be Martha Stewart to make guests feel welcome in your home. Just provide some good old-fashioned hospitality and they’ll want to come back and stay time and time again!
