Whether you have close friends or relatives coming over to stay with you or you’re setting up a room in your house for short-term rent (like an Airbnb), clearly, you have to make some effort to make your guests feel welcome and comfortable. Especially if your house is over ten years old, you want to make it seem modern and full of life.
First things first: tidying up the house
Even if you don’t have guests coming, tidying up the house is as basic as 1, 2, 3. Now that you have guests coming over, you want them to feel uncomfortable with the mess on the surfaces of your house. Unless they’re a close loved one who can forgive you and know you well enough. Even so, it’s common courtesy to clean up for them.
Get rid of every clutter in the living room, the hallway, the dining room, the kitchen, and the fridge. A little organizing won’t kill you. Even a quick vacuum all over the house can make a world of difference. Make your home something to be proud of in front of your guests. You don’t want to be apologetic because of the mess.
Do the bedroom next
As the host, the bedroom where they’ll be staying is the next room they’d want to see to settle in after coming in. Make sure you make room for their belongings, and the bed is cozied up for them. Bring out some fresh sheets and make the bed like they do in hotels. Make sure the sheets don’t smell stale and old and that there are enough blankets and pillows.
Bring out a liter bottle of water and glass for them in the bedroom so they wouldn’t have to go to the kitchen in the middle of the night if they get thirsty.
If you’re thinking of what else you should put in their bedroom, bring out a phone charger in case they forgot theirs. Hang a set of headphones by their bed in case they want to watch a movie or listen to some music on their own devices.
Setting out the essentials
Of course, you want your guests to have whatever they need. Put up a little pretty box or basket to contain bathroom essentials, such as basic hair, body, and dental hygiene products—shampoo, conditioner, body wash (or a fresh bar), body lotion, toothbrush, and toothpaste. Get them a hand anti-bacterial soap, hand sanitizer (or rubbing alcohol), and hand cream. Don’t forget to get them some pain relievers and anti-allergy tablets. Leave them on a table in their bedroom or, if their room has its own bathroom, put them in there.
Also, make sure you bring out extra towels more than they need. Keep ready-to-use ones in the bathroom. Make sure they are labeled, so they won’t get confused with yours. This isn’t necessary if they have one bathroom. Keep extra towels in a cabinet in their bedroom if they need them.
If the guests don’t have their own bathroom, be sure your hallways and stairways are well lit. Make sure there is enough toilet paper in the toilet and let them know where to find more in case it runs out.
Stocking up the fridge and the pantry
If you’re going to let them stay in your house, you should ask them what kind of snacks they would like to eat. Do they eat cheese and yogurt, or are they lactose intolerant? Do they like alcohol Rum or just non-alcoholic drinks? How do they like coffee? Do they even drink coffee, or do they prefer tea? These details are important, so you know what to buy and not spend too much. If you’re not sure, you tend to buy more choices; therefore, you spend too much.
Shaping up your utilities
Especially in an old house, the utilities might have some defects, so it’s important to check on them before you announce your house is available for guests. Make sure there are no leaks in the bathroom, and the hot water in the shower is working. Check the temperature in their bedroom. Some guests are too polite to complain, so better inform them they can adjust the temperature of their bedroom to let them enjoy their stay.
Do you hear something in the vents? Perhaps it’s time to check on it. Vent maintenance doesn’t have to be done often, but if you’re in an old house and you suspect something wrong, it’s time to seek help from air duct cleaning service professionals just to be sure. You don’t want to freak out the guests if they hear something crawling behind the walls.
As the host, you want your guests to enjoy their stay and make them feel at home and free. However, watch yourself for being too hospitable and give your guests some respect and enough privacy.
Meta title: Making Your Old House Ready for Guests
meta desc: Having guests over at your home takes effort and a little passion for it to become successful. You want them to feel welcome, free, and comfortable. Learn about the things your house guests will need and some little extras just in case.
