With an increasing number of individuals being fully vaccinated, people are beginning to travel again. Many are eager to host friends and family, especially after going for such a long period of time being unable to host. But with great hosting comes great responsibility, and several must-haves are ideal when creating a cozy and inviting environment for your guests.
In this article, we’ll highlight some tips and tricks on how to make your hosting experience ideal for both you and your guests.
1. Create a Coffee Station
Even if you’re an early riser, there’s a chance your guests may wake up before you. Rather than having them wait until you’re up to get the coffee started, create a coffee stand that provides instructions on how to use the coffee machine. The coffee stand can include mugs, sugar, spoons, coffee filters, and tea/honey for those who prefer tea in the morning. Try to buy both dairy and non-dairy creamer options for those who are lactose intolerant or don’t consume dairy products.
2. Buy Eye Masks and Earplugs if Noise or Light Is an Issue
If you live in a busy city and your apartment tends to get loud at night or bright and sunny in the morning, consider leaving earplugs and eye masks out. If you have a fan or white noise machine, offer it to your guests or encourage them to download a white noise app on their phone.
3. Leave Fresh Flowers in the Area Where They’re Staying
Nothing is better than waking up to the sight of fresh flowers. Flowers add energy to a room and are a great way to brighten up a space. Try to opt for sunflowers or some other florals that are bright and cheerful. If you have more than one vase in your apartment, place them in the areas your guests will be frequenting such as the kitchen, bathroom, and their sleeping space.
4. Keep Your Guests Well-Fed (Without Stressing Yourself Out)
If you have little grab-and-go breakfast bites, try to leave those out in case your guests like to have a bite to eat with their coffee in the morning. Muffins or pastries from the grocery store, cereal bars, and fruit are easy items to leave out and won’t make your guests feel like they’re rummaging through your cabinets. If you have time, make a casserole before your guests arrive, since it is an easy dish to pop in the oven for lunch or dinner. Utilize your crockpot or slow cooker if you have one and make chili, macaroni and cheese, chicken and dumplings, or some other comfortable meal that will keep guests well-fed.
5. Consider Hiring a Cleaning Company
Hosting is stressful enough, and adding the burden of deep cleaning your apartment before and after your guests’ visit makes it that much more stressful. If you can swing it, try to hire a cleaning company a day or two before your guests arrive to give your apartment a fresh look and feel. Cleaning companies can often do a deep clean, getting all of the nooks and crannies that you might not have time to scrub.
6. Provide Wi-Fi and Electronic-Related Info in an Accessible Area
Place a notecard in a pretty frame near your guests’ sleeping area with the Wi-Fi password, instructions on how to use the TV, and any other information they may need. Leave a power strip near their bed if they need to charge phones or computers and place a lamp near their bed.
7. Design a Toiletries Basket
There is nothing worse than forgetting toothpaste or other essentials while traveling. To help your guests avoid that problem, leave a basket in the bathroom with travel-sized toothbrushes, toothpaste, shampoo/conditioner, body wash, sunscreen, Q-tips, ibuprofen, and anything else they may need. Your guests may feel awkward using your shampoo or body wash, so having their own travel-sized bottles on hand is a great way to make them feel more comfortable. Try to leave extra toilet paper, tissues, and a garbage can in an area that’s easily accessible as well.
8. Purchase a Room Divider for Privacy
If you live in a studio or one-bedroom apartment and your guests will be sleeping in your living room, consider purchasing a room divider to give them additional privacy. This will help them feel like they’re in their own space and can provide an area for them to get dressed without taking up the bathroom.
9. Consider Putting Items in Storage for Long-Term Guests
If you have guests who are staying for an extended period of time, such as your parents or in-laws, consider putting some items in storage temporarily to create additional space in your apartment. For example, end tables, coffee tables, bookshelves, and decorative chairs may look great when it’s just you in the apartment, but they will quickly get in the way when guests arrive. You can also store boxes of extra shoes and clothes to make space in your closet if your guests want to hang up their items. After all, no one enjoys living out of a suitcase—especially when the trip lasts more than a week.
10. Invest in a Great Air Mattress
If your guests aren’t getting a good night’s sleep, they won’t be in the best mood on the trip. If you don’t have a second bedroom, consider investing in a sleeper sofa or a comfortable air mattress. Some companies make air mattresses with pillow toppers. SleepLux and Serta also make comfortable air mattresses with a built-in pump.
Key Takeaways About Hosting Overnight Guests
If you host guests often, it may be worthwhile to upgrade to a larger apartment with a spare bedroom or home office that can double as a guest room. 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 their guests. Guest suites are similar to staying in a hotel room and can be booked through Draper and Kramer’s management office. Guest suites are the ideal way to host friends and family while offering privacy and a comfortable night’s sleep.
Many are eager to host friends and family, especially after going for such a long period of time being unable to host. But with great hosting comes great responsibility, and several must-haves are ideal when creating a cozy and inviting environment for your guests.
