Introduction
When a friend or family member from out of town comes to stay, the two of you can have a lot of fun together. But if you live in a small house or apartment, the space can seem cramped very quickly. You may not even have a spare bedroom where your house guest can sleep and settle in. As a good host, you want your house guest to be comfortable during the visit. Pre-planning the activities during the time will help. Organizing the spaces that you actually do have will also contribute to the success of the time you have to spend together.
Step 1
Determine where your house guest is going to sleep when you have limited space. If you have a futon or pull-out sleeper couch, the solution is easy. This type of furniture doubles as seating during the day, so let your visitor know in advance that the bed will only exist during the night and will have to be folded up each morning. If you don't have dual-function furniture, obtain an air mattress that can be put away during the daylight hours. Modern air beds come with a built-in, electric-powered pump, making it easy to set up and take down, even in small spaces. Most air beds come in sizes that fit standard bed linens, so you will be able to use a spare set of your own. If you do not have extra sheets and blankets, make sure that you have a comfortable sleeping bag available or that your house guests brings one along.
Step 2
Coordinate bathroom time and space with your house guest as soon as he or she arrives. If you have to go to work while the guest is visiting, make sure you are very clear about the times you need to use the shower and do your preparations. If the house guest is visiting over the weekend, providing an itinerary is considerate. That way both of you know how you need to coordinate your bathroom time. With a small bathroom, there may not be room to hang up extra bath towels to dry after use. Solve this problem by taking your own towel into your bedroom and placing it on a clothes hanger, leaving space for your house guest to hang a towel in the bathroom. You may also provide a basket for your house guest to keep makeup, hair products and other items in the bathroom instead of having to move the things back and forth from the suitcase.
Step 3
Plan several activities away from your small living quarters during your house guest's stay. This reduces the chance you will be constantly getting in each other's way. It also gives your house guest an opportunity to explore the area where you live and to see the sites in the region. Eating out at neighborhood cafes and restaurants once or twice a day eliminates the stress of extra cooking in a small kitchen. It also gives your house guest a chance to pick up the tab now and again, expressing thanks for your hospitality. Ordering food delivery or picking up a take-away dinner allows you to spend more time with your house guest and eliminates time in the kitchen. Even if you don't want to spend all your time running around, you can find a comfortable park or public space to simply sit and visit while sipping cups of coffee.
Tips
Make a welcome packet to give your house guest upon arrival. Include a list of important phone numbers, a local area map, a spare set of keys and snacks to make your guest feel welcome immediately.
