No Guest Room? No Problem! Clever Hosting Ideas for Small Spaces

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Do you love the idea of having overnight guests but hesitate to invite them because of limited space? It’s undoubtedly a challenge to have people stay with you when you lack a dedicated room for visitors. However, before you tell your friends and family to book a hotel or rent an Airbnb, check out these guest room ideas when you don’t have a guest room.

1. Get A Sofa Sleeper

A popular go-to for guest accommodations is a sleeper sofa. If you don’t have a guest room, consider getting a pull-out couch instead of a traditional one. Keep sheets, pillows, and blankets in a nearby storage ottoman, coffee table, or closet. When you have a sofa bed, it’s easy to give guests a place to sleep at night without compromising your shared living space 24/7.

2. Make A Home Office Do Double Duty

Home offices are a common feature in many homes these days, thanks to the rise in remote work. Perhaps you don’t have a dedicated guest bedroom, but you have a spare room that you use as an office. Add a sleeper sofa, futon, day bed, or Murphy bed to your office area so it can double as a guest room when you have visitors. During your guest’s stay, plan to relocate your work area temporarily.

Learn how to add a Murphy Bed to an IKEA wardrobe.

3. Let Guests Use Your Room

Depending on how comfortable you are with your guests, you could let them use your bedroom while they stay with you. This idea works well for aging parents who may not be comfortable on a sofa bed or guests who like to go to bed early. You won’t feel like you need to tiptoe through your den and kitchen, and your guests get more privacy. If you give up your room for a few days, remove anything you need ahead of time.

4. Buy An Air Mattress

An air mattress is a good solution for short-term guests or when you’re in a pinch expecting last-minute visitors. Inflate the bed in seconds by selecting one with a built-in pump, and deflate it when not in use to free up space. Test the mattress before your guests arrive to verify there aren’t any holes. If your guests have mobility issues that make getting on and off a low bed difficult, choose a taller air mattress or place it on a simple bed frame.

5. Provide Ample Storage

No matter where your guests stay when they are at your house, they need a place to put their things. Add adequate storage to your guests’ sleeping area so they can hang clothing, tuck personal items out of sight, and make themselves feel at home. Good examples are a portable clothing rack, a simple set of shelves with bins or baskets, or an empty drawer in a nearby sideboard or cabinet.

6. Add Extra Towels To The Bathroom

Without a dedicated guest room, it can be trickier to ensure your guests have everything they need. However, don’t put everything in their sleeping area. When space is precious, the last thing you want is for your guests to feel cramped. Put extra towels in the bathroom so your guests don’t have to worry about asking you for any during their stay.

7. Give Guests A Toiletry Caddy

When storage space is at a premium, portable organizers are a goldmine. Provide a cute basket or caddy to your guest for their bathroom essentials. A caddy makes it easier for them to tote their items back and forth and keep their toiletries together in one convenient place, no matter where they need to use them.

8. Set Up A Welcome Basket

When you don’t have a designated guest room, some guests may feel like they are imposing. Help visitors feel at home no matter where they need to sleep with a welcome basket full of drinks and snacks. Other nice touches include a few fun items like puzzle books or mini craft kits. If small children are staying with you, add some coloring books or a couple of small toys.

9. Create A Schedule

Post your daily schedule so that everyone can see it and go through it with your guests. Add their agenda to it as well. When you’re sharing a small space, setting designated shower times, meal times, and other important tasks helps things go more smoothly.

10. Get On The Same Page About Privacy Expectations

If your guests must stay in a shared space, like on a pull-out couch in the living room, discuss privacy expectations before their arrival. Call your friend or relative and go over sleeping arrangements, when you need to get ready in the morning, and how much (or how little) privacy they can expect. Do this before they arrive to minimize surprises and awkward moments.

11. Consider Room Sharing

Is your best friend coming to stay for a couple of days, or is your sister planning a weekend visit? If you have a close relationship with your overnight guests, would it be possible to share your room? If you’re hosting a family with kids, can they all share one room, or can the kids stay in your children’s room? Think about the available sleeping areas you have before you create more.

12. Use Curtains Or Standing Screens

To give guests sleeping in shared spaces a little more privacy, hang some curtains or use standing screens. Although dividers won’t block out sounds, the reduced visibility can help you and your guests feel a bit more at ease. The screens provide privacy when your guests need a little alone time or when they’re sleeping while you’re enjoying your morning coffee and oatmeal.