How to Prepare for Overnight Holiday Guests

Being a good host isn't about having a perfectly styled guest room or spending a fortune on amenities. It's about anticipating what your guests might need and making it easy for them to feel comfortable in your home. Wirecutter interior design writer Ivy Elrod, who regularly hosts friends, family, and rental guests in her garden apartment, shares how to prepare for visitors before they arrive, what to stock in the bathroom and kitchen, and how to make even a couch feel like a welcoming place to sleep. This episode covers: Ask guests about their needs before they arrive. Find out whether they need a truly dark room to sleep, have allergies or food sensitivities, drink coffee or tea, or prefer to get up early. A little advance planning can prevent guests from feeling uncomfortable or having to ask you for things. Make the essentials easy to find. Stock up on towels, toilet paper, toiletries, and other bathroom basics. In the kitchen, set up a coffee or tea station and show guests how to use your appliances so they can get what they need without waiting for you. Give guests the information they need to feel independent. Share practical details in writing, including the Wi-Fi password, how to operate unusual light switches, how to adjust the temperature, where to find keys and safety equipment, and useful neighborhood information. Think beyond the traditional guest room. Extra blankets, multiple pillows, blackout curtains, and a place to charge a phone can make a big difference. If you're offering a couch instead, make it up with layers, provide a reading light, and give guests somewhere to put their belongings. Prioritize comfort over appearances. A room doesn't need to look perfect in a photograph; it needs to feel good to spend time in. Avoid things like strong cleaning-product scents and tripping hazards, and consider whether guests can move around the space comfortably. Be clear about expectations. If you have specific dates in mind for a visit, communicate them warmly but directly. Clear plans help everyone enjoy the stay without awkwardness about when it's time to head home. Products we recommend: Affordable blackout curtains: IKEA Rosenmandel Black-out Curtains The best budget percale sheets: Target Threshold 250 Thread Count Organic Percale Sheet Set A flat silk mask: Alaska Bear Natural Silk Sleep Mask Top-notch noise masking: LectroFan EVO Tiny air purifier for small rooms: Blueair Blue Pure 511 A fast but heavy hair dryer: Infiniti Pro Conair Quick Styling Hair Dryer The best USB power strip Anker 341 USB Power Strip (A9183) A compact travel steamer that’s great for occasional use: Beautural Portable Clothes Steamer Ivy loves: Gap Organic Cotton Poplin Big Shirt Additional reading: 7 Cheap(ish) Things to Have on Hand When Guests Stay Over The Best Blackout and Room-Darkening Curtains The Best Sleep Mask The Best White Noise Machine The Best Air Purifier We independently review everything we recommend. When you buy through our links, we may earn a commission. Learn more› Wirecutter Social and Website Instagram: /wirecutter Threads: /@wirecutter Twitter: /wirecutter Facebook: /thewirecutter TikTok: /wirecutter LinkedIn: /nyt-wirecutter Website: https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/ Newsletter: https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/newsletters/ The Wirecutter Show is executive produced by Rosie Guerin and produced by Abigail Keel. Studio support from Maddy Masiello, Nick Pitman, Kyle Grandillo, and Samantha Winter. Episodes are mixed by Catherine Anderson, Daniel Ramirez, and Sophia Lanman. Original music by Dan Powell, Marion Lozano, Elisheba Ittoop, and Diane Wong. Wirecutter’s deputy publisher and general manager is Cliff Levy. Ben Frumin is Wirecutter’s editor-in-chief. Hosted by Rosie Guerin, Caira Blackwell and Christine Cyr Clisset. Find edited transcripts for each episode here: The Wirecutter Show Podcast Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.