For people who live small either by choice or need, having an extra guest room goes beyond the edge of luxury. Still, people like to visit. If you have made your home away from your native country, you will certainly have guests staying. And if that home of yours is in a large and expensive city where every square metre counts, hosting people can become tricky. Here are a few tips on welcoming guests in small apartments with maximum comfort and minimum disruptions.
‘Outsource’ your guests
In case you really don’t have room for overnight stay, think creatively about other options. Maybe you have a relative or a friend who lives nearby and who could take your guests in. Crazy as it sounds, this is not such a bad idea. Why should you stumble over one another in a crowded studio if someone close has a room to spare? Even more conveniently, you can go sleep at your friend’s place and give your guests the keys to your apartment. The key to successful hosting is that everyone is low-maintenance. And, yes, prepare a thank-you six-pack for your friend.
Morph your living room into a bedroom
You have certainly dozed off on your living room sofa countless times, but a beauty nap isn’t the same as an overnight rest. Think about the temporary options that can turn your living room into a one-time bedroom. Consider fortifying the existing curtains with drapes to keep out annoying street lights, or putting a draught snake under your door to muffle hallway noises. Add some touches that will make the room more convenient and cosy, like a lamp next to the sleeping area, a power bar for charging phones and laptops, as well as set of extra pillows and blankets at hand.
Enough privacy for everyone
You may hold someone too close not to worry about privacy, but maybe they don’t feel the same way. A lockable bathroom door and an extra supply of paper rolls and other bathroom supplies will avoid some unpleasant, albeit comic situations. If your guests will be staying for a while, a decorative folding screen can give them a little privacy in a living area turned bedroom – ideal for morning or evening routines. Arranging the shower schedule will help everyone feel more comfortable.
The good, the bed and the uncomfortable
While a pull-out sofa or a daybed might come as the obvious choice, they might not suit your taste. With sofas, more stylish they are, less comfortable and practical they are for sleeping over. You might have been hosted on a spacious sectional, but would you fit one into your small apartment? A futon on the other hand, can double as a couch during the day and provide enough comfort for night rest. If neither futon is an option, a durable air bed doesn’t take up much room and can be stored almost anywhere when not in use.
Space for guests’ stuff
When your apartment is crowded with overnight guests, it’s easy to feel discomfort by the extra noise and mess. Trying to keep everything normal while trying to entertain your guests can be frustrating. Even if it just means clearing an area on your floor, plan for a space for your guest’s luggage. Allocating a small table or a shelf for their clothes will reduce the unpacking mess. If it’s a long visit and your guests like to turn in early, consider letting your bedroom become the guest room, while you bunk in the living room. That way you can work or stay awake for any other reason as late as you like.
Overnight guests are always a challenge, but even if you live in a small apartment, there are ways to transform it into a guest-friendly environment that won’t put you off the track. It all comes to opening up your home and making them feel welcome.
