Blog Post

7 Essentials to Have on Hand for Overnight Guests

Marielle Robie • Nov 09, 2021

During the holiday season, you may find your home filled with a little more chaos than you are typically accustomed to. Family and friends come from across the country to spend time with you and your family. As a result, they often end up staying with you at your home, further testing your skills as the ultimate home organization expert.

You’re excited to see them and play host but might not be sure exactly what you need to do to make them feel comfortable. What are some essentials you need for overnight guests?

Clean Spaces
Snack Station
Bathroom Essentials
Privacy
Extra Pillows and Blankets
Fan, Lamp, and Clock
Entertainment

Ready to make your home feel more welcoming to guests? Stay tuned to learn more!

Clean Spaces

Stepping into someone else’s clutter is not the best way to begin your vacation. When your guests visit, they are interested in spending time with you and getting away from the stresses back home. So, it would help if you started on the right foot by cleaning your home.

While you might prefer to clean every room, you know that they will only stay clean for a limited time especially if you have children. Instead, focus on the spaces your visitors will spend the most time in. Living rooms, guest rooms, bathrooms, and kitchens should be free of clutter and grime.

If guests are sharing a bathroom with you or your kids, then make sure to move your items out of the way. Give them space for their toiletries. If your kids have bath toys, make sure they are put in a container and out of the way when not in use.

Snack Station

No matter how much you tell guests to make themselves at home, it is always awkward to go rummaging through someone else’s fridge and pantry. They never know what is intended for later in the week or is the only treat your picky toddler will eat.

A snack station can make things feel a little less daunting when it comes time to grab a quick bite. Use an inviting basket or tiered bin to sort out different snacks. Make it look inviting so that your guests know they can help themselves whenever they please. You might also consider putting a small jar or basket in their bedroom so that they can grab a midnight snack without worrying about disturbing everyone. Be sure to ask about their favorite snacks before they arrive and add them to the station.

A good snack station should include:

Paper products such as napkins, plates, and cups
Pre-packaged savory and sweet treats
Fruit
Single-serve coffee pods and tea bags
Sugar, salt, pepper, and creamer

Make sure to place an electric kettle or coffee pot close by so that guests can warm up water or brew coffee with ease.

Bathroom Essentials

Most people end up forgetting a toiletry or two when they go on vacation. Another way to make your guests feel at home is to offer bathroom essentials for their use. Place a small basket on the counter to make them feel at home. In the basket, be sure to include:

Shampoo
Conditioner
Toothpaste
Mouthwash
Lotion
You may also want to include a couple of new toothbrushes, razors, and shaving cream.

While providing forgotten toiletries can make your guests much more comfortable, finding clean towels is just as important. Make sure that they are located within easy reach.

Privacy

You need privacy, and so do your guests. So don’t be offended if they need a break from the hustle and bustle of visiting and sightseeing. A quiet space is just the ticket to make a vacation enjoyable rather than exhausting.

To help your guests unwind, give them a space that is just for them. In most cases, that will be the room where they are sleeping. However, as Lizmarieblog.com points out, not everyone has a separate bedroom for guests. Even if they are sleeping in the living room, make sure they have space to relax.

Extra Bedding and Pillows

It’s hard to know how your guests find it most comfortable to sleep. While you might like a lot of blankets, they may prefer less. Realsimple.com suggests that you leave extra bedding and pillows in the guest room. That way, your guests can make themselves as comfortable as possible during the night without the awkwardness of having to ask for extras.

A good idea for storing extra pillows and blankets is to have a trunk at the foot of the bed. Not only does this give guests additional seating, but it also helps the area look neater. If you use a trunk to store blankets, make sure you launder them before your guest’s arrival. Left closed in a dark space can make them smell musty, no matter how clean they are.

Fan, Lamp, and Clock

Not only do you need to have extra bedding, but you also need to have other items available in your guest room. For example, overhead lights can be too much at night, so make sure your guests have a bedside lamp. They can read and relax without having to get out of bed to turn off the lights.

You also want to add a clock on the bedside table. Even on vacation, your guests still want to know the time and set an alarm without using their phones. Having a clock available might seem like a small detail, but it is something that they’ll appreciate.

Additionally, have a fan available for your visitors as well. Some people like to have a fan blowing when they sleep. The white noise is calming, and a cool breeze can make it more comfortable.

Entertainment

Yes, your overnight guests are usually there to visit and spend time with you. However, you can’t entertain them 24 hours a day. Offer some forms of entertainment where they can relax when you have something else to do.

Having a small television in their room can give them the freedom to enjoy their favorite shows after they’ve gone to bed. You should also have some books available if they want something to read.

Most people have mobile devices that they carry with them. Don’t forget to share your home’s Wi-Fi password so they can get online without wasting their data plan.

Conclusion

Making your guests feel at home is part of being a good host. By setting up a snack station, they'll know what extra treats are free to eat. Having extra toiletries available can make them feel more comfortable. When you provide them with soft towels and extra blankets, it helps relieve some anxiety about asking too many questions, & giving them their privacy and forms of entertainment can help them relax just a little bit better.