After two years of doing the adult thing, I’ve come to realize that my normal air mattress and spare couch pillow routine just doesn’t cut it anymore when I have house guests staying the night. While I’ve always aspired to be the friend with the comfiest guest bedroom, a low budget and lack of the “good hostess gene” has always left something to be desired whenever I have friends over. In fact, if I’m being honest, the best thing you can say about Hotel Claire is that I pick my stuff off the couch before friends come to stay. But after years of sub-par sleeping arrangements for friends and family crashing at my place, I finally got the message to put in a little effort to make my space more inviting. I’m sure it comes as no surprise to hear that my mother was the one to suggest demand that I clean up my act—literally. She was absolutely appalled at the state of my bathroom when she visited me my senior year of college.
Since that fateful visit when my mom ended up cleaning my bathroom so she could use it without cringing (I’m mortified to admit that, I assure you), I’ve done a complete 180 and now make it a point to deep clean my apartment before friends visit. In addition, there are few extra things I like to have on hand to make my friends and family excited to be staying with me.
Have a spare towel set aside
My mom used to read my brother and I a children’s book that said, “A guest is a guest, and we give them our best.” In the spirit of being a good hostess, I make sure my favorite fluffy towel has been washed and is ready for my friend to use. Even if you’re on a budget like I am, there are plenty of little things you can do to make your friend comfortable, and setting aside your favorite towel is a good place to start!
Provide earplugs
My neighbor blasts his TV at night, so I like to have earplugs on hand for whoever’s sleeping on the living room futon. Even if they don’t use the earplugs, it’s good to know they’re an option! Just make sure to buy brand new earplugs and discard the old ones after they’ve been used.
Prep the Sleeping Area Before They Arrive
Having the sleeping area prepped before your friend arrives is key, especially if they’re coming in the late afternoon or evening. If they’ll be sleeping in a shared space (like the couch), lay out the sheets and pillows on one end so they’re easy to grab when it’s time for bed. This will prevent you from having to hunt for your spare sheets while your friend is with you and means you can focus more on them and less on being the hostess.
Have snacks on hand
I always ask my friends what snacks they like to eat and what they enjoy for breakfast. I don’t go crazy overboard (I’m on a budget, after all), but having snacks like pretzels or trail mix is always a good idea. Your friend will probably show up hungry after traveling to meet you, but I doubt either of you will want to leave your apartment right away to hunt down a more substantial meal.
Have change for bus and/or laundry fare
I keep a roll of quarters in my dresser specifically for emergency laundry and bus fare. This is especially important if you live in a city and you and your friend will be taking public transportation most places. It might cost you a couple bucks, but it’ll make your friend’s stay so much smoother and will save you from making a stop at the bank for quarters.
Deep clean the bathroom
If you’re going to clean just one area of your apartment, make it the bathroom. You might not notice the dust on the top of your toilet or the toothpaste stuck in your sink, but your friend (and your mom) definitely will. Give yourself 20-30 minutes to properly deep clean the bathroom your friend will be using. If you’re feeling fancy, maybe set out some skincare items for her to use, a fresh razor, or some toothpaste (because everyone always assumes they can use their friend’s toothpaste anyways!).
Pick up after yourself
This is hopefully a no-brainer for you, but do your friend the courtesy of picking up after yourself both before they arrive and while they’re there. If you have laundry drying in the living room, move it to your bedroom and shut the door. Pick up any shoes or socks lying around the entryway, and recycle any mail you’ve discarded around the house. Getting rid of the clutter will make staying at your place a much better experience.
Take out the trash
If you live in a small apartment, then you know how much your trash can stink up the entire living room. When friends stay at my apartment, they sleep on the futon in the living room, which is right next to the kitchen and the smelly trash can. If your trash isn’t totally full yet, place it in the hallway overnight so your friend doesn’t have to smell it while she sleeps.
Please tell me I’m not the only one who isn’t a natural hostess! I’ve gotten a lot better about making my space clean and inviting for friends, but I’m definitely not perfect.
Tell me: What’s one thing you do to spruce up your space before someone comes to visit?
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