With the holidays right around the corner, many of us will be hosting family and friends at some point this season. Hosting company in an apartment can be a daunting task, but don’t fear: there are several ways to prepare ahead of time to be a great host and help your guests feel like they’re staying in a comfortable hotel.
Whether you’re new to hosting or a seasoned pro, these tips and tricks will help make your visitors truly feel at home.
1. Use Bars of Soap or Laundry Sheets/Softener to Freshen Up Linens
Soap can be used for so much more than keeping your skin clean: it’s also a great way to make linens smell fresh for guests. Cut bars of soap into smaller pieces to spread them out and layer the pieces between clean, folded linens, blankets, and pillows. Soap infused with lavender, sage, and other calming scents often works well. If you’re looking for inspiration check out some of the soap options from Grove Collaborative. If you don’t have bars of soap on hand, you can also layer dryer sheets between linens or use a lightly scented fabric softener when washing the sheets.
2. Fully Deodorize Your Home
Although we may be accustomed to the scent of our home, it might not always be the most pleasurable for guests. Thoroughly clean your kitchen and bathrooms, vacuum all carpets, and take out the trash in all rooms. If you have pets, empty out the litter boxes and bathe the pets. Open up some windows and use a deodorizing spray such as Febreze to keep your home smelling fresh.
3. Create a Toiletry Basket in the Bathroom
Make your guests feel like they’re staying at a hotel by placing a little toiletry basket on the vanity in the bathroom. Consider buying a convenience kit with all of the essentials included from Amazon, Target, Walgreens, or your local drug store. If they don’t use all of the items, you’ll have extra travel-sized toiletries on hand for your next trip! Place towels and washcloths in an area that’s easy to access, along with extra rolls of toilet paper to save your guests from having to rummage through your cabinets.
4. Make the Guest Area Feel Like Home
Whether your guests are staying in a separate guest bedroom or sleeping on an air mattress, it’s important to make them feel like they’re at home. Add extra blankets and pillows to their sleeping area in case they get cold and create a designated area for guests to store their luggage so that it doesn’t feel like suitcases are in the way. Place water bottles on the nightstand along with any other special touches, such as fresh flowers, chocolate, tissues, magazines, extra phone chargers, and Wi-Fi instructions. Truly make them feel like they’re in an all-star hotel!
5. Check Dietary Restrictions Ahead of Time
If you’re unsure of your guests’ dietary restrictions or allergies, check with them before heading to the grocery store so that you can load up on snacks, breakfast items, beer, wine, seltzer, and other items they can enjoy.
6. Put Snacks and Coffee in an Open Area
Leave snacks out in an open area that’s easy and comfortable for guests to access and let them know where they can find the Brita, extra water bottles, additional snacks, and other items in the kitchen. Put the coffeemaker in an area of the kitchen that’s easily accessible and leave out mugs, coffee filters, sugar, spoons, and other essentials for guests who may wake up before you. Leave out cereal, bowls, spoons, granola bars, and any other breakfast items as well.
7. Invest in a Solid Air Mattress
If you don’t have a second bedroom, a comfortable sleeper sofa or air mattress are great alternatives for guests. Options include a collapsible MemoryFoam mattress or the SoundAsleep Luxury air mattress, which comes with an automatic pump.
8. Discuss Best Practices for Housing Guests with Your Kids
If you have young children, it may be helpful to sit them down and explain how to interact with guests before the visit. This can include telling them to knock on doors before entering, flushing the toilet, and keeping noise as low as possible in the morning and at night when guests may be asleep.
9. Give Yourself Time to Unwind Before Your Guests Arrive
We know it’s tempting to clean up until the last second, but nothing makes guests feel less welcome than being greeted by a stressed host with a broom in hand. Give yourself an hour or two to relax and unwind before guests arrive to ensure you look (and feel) refreshed and at ease when your guests walk in.
10. Communicate with Guests
After your guests arrive, walk them through your schedule. This is especially applicable if you’ll be going into the office or won’t be around for part of their stay. Let them know your breakfast routine, what time you typically wake up, shower times, and when you will arrive home later in the day. If you’re comfortable, consider giving guests a spare set of keys so they can come and go as they please.
If this is your guest’s first time visiting—or if they’re not familiar with the area—put together a folder or an email with links to places they can visit in the area, such as great restaurants, shopping centers, coffee shops, and other local hotspots.
Things to Consider
If you plan to host many guests this holiday season and beyond, it may be worth upgrading to a larger two- or three-bedroom apartment. Draper and Kramer offers a wide range of luxurious apartments with spacious layouts that are ideal for hosting guests.
As an added bonus, many Draper and Kramer properties have guest suites that residents can book for visitors, offering an ideal way to host family and friends while providing additional privacy and an extra comfortable night’s sleep. Guest suites are similar to a hotel room and are the perfect solution for in-laws or parents who may be uncomfortable sleeping on a pull-out couch or air mattress. Current residents can book guest suites by contacting Draper and Kramer’s management office.
