Guest Be Our

’Tis the season for company to come over!

Whether you’ve got a friend passing through for the night or your cousin’s whole fam descending for a week, here’s how to keep them comfy, cozy, and (at least somewhat) self-sufficient. Because even if you’re not quite ready for a crowd, you can make sure every room in the house is.

By Erica Finamore

In the Entryway

• Give the people some space! Clear out what you can from the coat closet or hall tree so guests have room to hang their hats, scarves, and puffy sleeping bags—er, jackets.

• Make your shoe stance clear. Shoes on or off? (Up to you, but maybe read the story on page 120 before you decide.) If you want them off, tell guests and offer them socks or slippers for their comfort. Make sure you have a nearby bench or seat for easy perching.

• Take drink orders. Travel makes everyone thirsty. Water, wine, or a cocktail can help. Ask your guests if you can get them anything as you welcome them in and they take off their coats.

• Get a spare key made. If your boarder will be staying for a while or you have separate schedules, this simple hardware-store errand will save you from waiting up for them like you’re the parent of a teenager.

In the Living Room

• Have remote instructions ready. For every Apple TV user, there’s a Roku one— and buttons are hard! Leave a cheat sheet on the table so nobody has to watch the big game on a tiny phone.

• Hide your mess and clutter. Vacuum crumbs and pet hair out of the couch cushions, and stash books and toys in decorative baskets.

• Add throws. Everyone’s got their own ambient temperature happy place (68 degrees is the recommended sweet spot), so provide blankets for those who are perpetually cold.

• Protect your surfaces. If you have a coffee table that stains easily, leave out plenty of coasters, and feel free to request that people use them. If your sofa is fancy, use plastic seat covers. Just kidding—please don’t do that. A slipcover will work nicely.

JENNI YOLO @ispydiy

Leave towels (in all sizes) on the guest bed. People like a washcloth!

In the Bedroom

• Make the bed simply. There’s no need to practice your hospital corners. Just do your best with the top sheet. Then smooth out the duvet and drape a throw at the foot of the bed for an elegant look. When it comes to pillows, four is the magic number for a queen or king. You can add a few throw pillows, but don’t overdo it.

• Empty a drawer. Or three if guests are staying longer than one night.

• Put lights on dimmers. A plug-in dimmer (around $15 at your local hardware store) will score you major brownie points with guests who are hardcore about sleep hygiene. Setting timers for lights and adding hallway nightlights can also help guide the way.

• Have outlets available. Don’t make guests play that not-so-fun game of Can I Unplug This?! Plug in a power strip that’s just for them in their room. While you’re at it, be prepared with an extra phone charger in the extremely likely event guests forget theirs.

• Test the mattress. If you’re putting guests on a sleeper sofa, check whether it’s comfy or, you know, has springs that dig into your back. If you’re using an inflatable mattress, do you have the pump ready? Will there be a 3 a.m. deflategate situation?

In the Bathroom

• Set out some toiletries, because even the most organized traveler is bound to forget something! And the least organized is bound to forget many things! Have extras of the most important stuff, like shampoo, body wash, and toothpaste.

• Deep-clean the whole space. Most people remember to scrub the toilet bowl and wipe the counters, but it’s easy to forget about the stuff only overnight guests will see—like the shower curtain liner. If yours is covered in mildew, try cleaning it with a microfiber cloth and a mixture of warm water and vinegar. If that doesn’t do the trick, it may be time to buy a new one.

• Put extra toilet paper in plain sight. It should be somewhere obvious so guests don’t have to hunt for it at an, ahem, inconvenient time.

• Provide even more towels. Again, people like a washcloth!

In the Kitchen

• Ask some questions in advance. Do any of your guests have a food allergy? Do they prefer almond milk in their coffee? Suss out special diets and specific needs at least a week in advance. Then do some strategic grocery shopping.

• Put the Wi-Fi password front and center. Guests will probably take off their coats, head to the kitchen, and ask for the Wi-Fi, in that order. Write your network name and password on a card, sticky note, or piece of paper and hang it on the fridge. If you want to be fancy about it, you can print it out and frame it.

• Give a quick tour. While “Take anything you need!” is a great sentiment, it won’t help a hungry houseguest in the middle of the night. Show guests where you keep the plates, glasses, and most importantly, snacks.

• Be ready to brew. This one is vital, so don’t skip it! Have the coffee maker plugged in and loaded with grounds and water in case your guests wake up before you. Got a complicated espresso machine? Give a little demo after dinner, before anyone has had too much wine.