Entertaining house guests can be a lot of fun if you’re prepared. Certainly, there will be some work involved, but preparing your home for company is usually a labor of love. Whether you’re entertaining family members, or friends from out of town, you’ll want to impress them with the “wow factor” when they visit.

Although there are many things you might have on your personal to-do list, here are the top 10 ways to be a rock star host and make your overnight house guests feel as comfortable as possible.

Clean House

If you’ve ever prepared for house guests, cleaning is probably the first thing you’ll do. It may be the most obvious item on our list, but certainly very important. Be sure to clean and sanitize common areas such as living room, bedrooms, dining room, and bathrooms. If you have pets, always check you chairs and couches for pet hair. Guests will be comfortable in a clean house.

Background Music

There are many different types of genre when it comes to music. Even of you don’t really care for the music your guests prefer to listen to, having their choice playlist playing as background music will make them feel happy and comfortable. Music has a very powerful impact on one’s mood, so be sure to play music that your guests prefer.

Phone Charger

Just about everyone has a cell phone these days, and it’s common to leave your charger behind when you’re traveling. Even on the weekends and vacation, your guests will probably want to check their phones for works updates, personal text messages or catch up on news. Having an extra cell phone charger for your guests is a nice touch – they’ll thank you for it!

Comfortable Temperature

You’ve probably been in an uncomfortable atmosphere in the past. It might have been a friend’s house, your place of work, or restaurant. If the room is too hot, you’re sweating and if it’s too cold, your shivering… either way, you’re uncomfortable and it’s hard to enjoy your time even if you’re in good company. Be sure to set your thermostat to room temperature and ask your guest if they’re comfortable.

Love My Drops

Have you ever had to go “number two” as a guest at someone’s house? You may have been forced into the uncomfortable feeling that is produced by holding it or using the bathroom and leaving behind that awful poop smell. Now think of your guest, and how that situation may affect their level of comfort in your home.

Love My Drops eliminates the embarrassment and can make your house guests much more comfortable. Love My Drops is an all-natural odor eliminator that stops nasty odor before it even begins. Simply add a drop or two to the surface level of the water before using the toilet. Leave a bottle of Love My Drops on the toilet lid in your bathroom – your guests will be amazed and relieved.

Personal Hygiene

Common things people forget when they travel include razor, shampoo, bar of soap, and toothbrush. Because you’ve probably forgotten one of these items in the past, be sure to have a new razor, bar of soap and toothbrush in the bathroom for your guests. Saving them a trip to the local drug store will provide maximum time to enjoy visiting with your guests.

Spare Bedroom

Offering a spare bedroom to your guests when they stay is a great way to show you care about their privacy. Despite how polite your guest may be in saying they don’t mind sleeping on the couch, or crashing in the den, everyone values the privacy of having a closed door.

Fresh Linens

How would you feel if you stayed overnight somewhere and you were offered an unchanged bed and damp towels? Yuck! Fresh, clean towels and sheets are an absolute must for your guests. Run some clean towels in the dryer and fold them before presenting them to your house guests. Everyone enjoys fresh linens.

Enjoyable Food

It’s usually a good idea to tell your guests what type of dish you’re preparing ahead of time. Often this will begin a polite dialogue about possible food allergies such as gluten intolerance or lifestyle choices like being vegetarian or vegan.

Chances are, you may already know this depending how well you know your guests, but it’s always a good idea to have the food conversation. A few easy lunch ideas for guests are to use a crock pot, grill, make soup ahead of time and simply warm it up…and serve with some fresh bread. Your guests will love it.

Choice Beverages

Although not everyone adheres to the beverage template of life, many people enjoy an adult beverage in the evening and nice cup of hot coffee to start the day. Again, it certainly helps to know your guest’s preferences. Have a full stock of coffee and choice beverages for your guests.

Final Thoughts on Making Your House Guests Comfortable

Nobody wants their guests to leave and have a conversation on their way home about your dirty house, lack of privacy or lousy food. Implementing these ideas may make you may feel like you’re running a bed & breakfast, but that’s the whole point.

When you’re entertaining overnight guests, you’ll want to do everything you possibly can to be a good host. Making a few changes in preparation will make your guests feel comfortable every time your doors are open.