When you have guests staying in your home, you may be as uncomfortable as they are at first. In order to relax, and to help your guests relax, do whatever it takes to make them feel at home. With some people, it may be as easy as saying, “Make yourself at home.” With others, it takes more effort.
Think about how you feel when you are visiting someone else’s home. It can be awkward to keep asking where things are located or to ask for help. Make sure your guests know where everything is and that they are welcome to use things. Show them where the laundry detergent is stored and explain how your washing machine works, if necessary.
Show them where the extra towels, toilet paper, and other essentials are kept, and make sure they know certain things about your house, like how that tricky shower knob needs adjusting to keep the water from getting too hot.
It’s also a good idea to pick up a few nightlights and place them strategically around the house. You don’t want your houseguest to trip and fall trying to reach the bathroom in the middle of the night. Place a nightlight in each bathroom, in hallways, near stairs, and one in the kitchen in case your guest craves a late night snack or drink.
Speaking of snacks, it’s a good idea to have a bowl of fruit or a basket of ready to eat snacks on the kitchen counter or the table so your guest can grab something when hungry without feeling awkward. People are less likely to open cabinets or the fridge, so fill a bowl or basket and let your guests know that they are welcome to help themselves.
Making your guests feel relaxed and comfortable will also make you and the rest of your family feel more at ease.