Renters often face the challenge of not having a spare room for guests. But don't let this stop you from entertaining family and friends overnight. Try these tips and tricks to accommodate your guests in style and comfort without a guest room.
The Basics:
Find a space.
Try to find a place in your rental that provides privacy if possible. Use an office, a child's room or den so you and your guests don't feel obligated to be on the same sleep schedule or intruding on each other's privacy. In small rentals, the living room is always a go-to.
Set up bedding.
When you have the space and time, set up an air mattress or bed beforehand. Otherwise, have bedding close by in a basket or bin for night time. If you host overnight guests frequently in a living space, invest in a storage ottoman, trunk, or storage cubes to serve double duty for guest item storage and functionality as a coffee table or extra seating.
Create a cozy sleeping area with extra blankets and pillows. Since most sofas or air mattresses are not as comfortable as a good mattress, add a foam mattress topper to make it softer (and warmer).
Lean pillows against the wall at the head of an air mattress to create a headboard. This will make it easier for your guests to relax.
If guests are sleeping in a common area or somewhere where there’s light coming in at night, lay out sleep masks to aid in a good night’s sleep!
Just because you don't have a designated guest room and bed doesn't mean you shouldn't dress up your air mattress, sofa bed, or futon with decorative pillows and a throw. Your family and friends will appreciate your thoughtfulness and their stylish and cozy surroundings.
Guest Room Essentials:
Good lighting, especially a table lamp or reading light by the bed, is a must. Use a night light in the hall or bathroom to help guide guests in the middle of the night.
Provide a “bedside” table using a tray, ottoman, or stool. Make it easy for your guests to grab a glass of water or the alarm clock with the help of a little elevation!
Set out enjoyable reading material. When you have a small space, it might not be practical to have a TV in the guest area. Let your guests wind down in the evening with favorite books or magazines (sudoku anyone?).
Set out small dishes for jewelry, toiletries, and towels nearby. Use a bench or chair to display guest items. This can double as a luggage rack.
If possible, hang empty hangers and empty a drawer for long-term guests. This will help keep the guest area clean and less cluttered which can be harder to manage in a small space.
Thoughtful Extras:
Make staying in a living area fun with board games, books, and movies easily accessible for your guests.
The kitchen is a great spot for creating a little breakfast station with coffee, tea, bottled water, and granola. That way early risers will feel free to help themselves.
Add other little touches to make your guests feel special like stationery or a notepad for jotting down thoughts about their fun visit and wonderful host or hostess.
Don’t forget to provide your wifi password, a house key, and local maps!
If your small abode only has an eat-in kitchen or small dining room, store a folding table that can be brought out for holiday meals. Dress up with a tablecloth, linens, and dinnerware for a chic and festive dinner! With planning and a little effort, you can make your overnight guests feel comfortable and special without a guest room.
