When you have friends coming to stay for the weekend or family heading into town for the holidays, hosting overnight guests in a small space can feel like a challenge. Fortunately, if you live in a small space, there are a few tricks you can use to create a private, comfortable sleeping area for your overnight visitors. From trading out your old loveseat for a multifunctional futon to crafting a thoughtful amenity basket, here are four tips for hosting overnight guests without a guest room!
Opt for Rent-to-Own Multi-Functional Furniture
Hosting overnight guests in small spaces is made easier with multifunctional furniture! From comfortable futons and pull-out couches to sleeper sofas and sectionals, there are many ways to transform your living space into a cozy resting area for guests.
Before your visitors arrive, upgrade your sofa to a multifunctional futon, also known as a sofa bed. By day, a sofa bed looks and functions the same as a couch. However, it quickly folds down to reveal a flat, even sleep space. To make a sofa bed more comfortable for your guests, try covering it with a fitted sheet, adding in a pillow or two, and tossing on a comforter and throw blanket.
A pull-out couch, such as the Ashley Darton-Cream Sofa Chaise, is an unassuming piece of multifunctional furniture. Upon first glance, it resembles a traditional sofa, but once unfolded, an entire mattress and frame are revealed! Set up a pull-out couch exactly as you would a standard bed — with sheets, pillows, and blankets — and your guests are guaranteed to snooze comfortably.
Create Privacy with Room Dividers
If you have a small house or apartment with an open floor plan — we’re looking at you, studio apartments! — create privacy for your guests using room dividers. Room dividers are a stylish and inexpensive way to bring division and privacy to any space in your home. They come in a variety of fabrics and materials and can be found at most home stores.
If you’re the DIY type, you can craft a room divider using curtains or the fabric of your choice! You can also use shelving, like a large bookshelf, in place of a traditional room divider. The latter option not only looks great, but it provides ample storage space.
Make a Cozy Sleeping Area by Sprucing Up the Couch
Transform a large sectional couch into a comfortable sleeping area! With plenty of room to stretch out, sectionals can double as a guest bed in a snap! Simply grab a top sheet and spread it across your couch. Add blankets and pillows, and voila!
To give your guest extra space, consider removing the back cushions of your sectional to create more room widthwise. If your living room is typically bright and sunny, invest in some blackout curtains or a sleep mask to ensure your guest doesn’t have to wake up with the sun.
Upgrade Your Child’s Bed
When you have guests in town, consider using your child’s bedroom as a guest room. And if your child is set to upgrade from a crib or toddler bed soon, an out-of-town guest is a great motivator for making the switch.
Before your guests arrive, swap out your child’s twin bed for a larger mattress — perhaps a queen or a king — and a matching bedroom set. Or, upgrade them to a fun and functional bunk bed. Make your visitor’s stay all the more special by making their guest bed feel like a luxurious hotel bed.
Create a Welcoming Amenity Basket
Want to make your overnight visitors feel extra special? Create an amenity basket of essentials for your houseguest! Grab a basket or tote and pop in travel-sized amenities that will make them feel considered and welcomed. Here are some ideas to get you started:
- Roll up washcloths for hotel-style ambiance
- Add in some travel-sized essentials, like face wash, moisturizer, shampoo, conditioner, makeup remover, or deodorant
- Provide earplugs if you’re a city-dweller or your guest tends to be a light sleeper
- Add a sleep mask — because who doesn’t want to catch a few extra Z’s while they’re out of town?
- Surprise them with fuzzy socks to keep their feet nice and toasty
- Incorporate their favorite snack to tide them over from their travels
In addition to your amenity basket, keep an extension cord or plug at the ready so your guests can charge their devices.
Get Your House Guest-Ready with Rent-A-Center
In addition to preparing your home for guests, multifunctional pieces and a bed-upgrade make your home more enjoyable in the long run! Rent-A-Center makes it easy to find furniture that fits your space and needs. Our zero-credit options, affordable pricing, and flexible rent-to-own payment options make it easy to upgrade your bedroom, living room, and beyond. Shop online for brand-new sofas, sectionals, and bedroom sets, or visit your nearest Rent-A-Center today!