tips for hosting house guests

Preparing Your Home for Holiday Guests

During the holidays, we open our homes to loved ones. To ensure a comfortable stay, here are helpful tips for hosting house guests.

Plenty of Food on Hand

One of the keys to successful holiday hosting is a well-stocked kitchen. Be prepared with items like a variety of snacks and drinks, quick breakfast options, and frozen meals. Take into account any dietary restrictions your guests might have, so you can have options for everyone.

Additionally, a functional pantry makes all the difference when your kitchen is working overtime. Adjustable shelving, clear zones for snacks, baking supplies, and breakfast items, and room for bulk or backup goods help everything stay visible and easy to grab.

pantry with door open displaying pull-out shelving with food easy to grab — Opening up the Heart of the Home features a pantry complete with pull-out storage and a clever spice rack.

white linen closet doors and a towel and mirror mounted to the wall

Make Room For Their Stuff

Neatniks love a spot to hang their towel, and a little space in the closet, if possible. At the front door, make room for boots, coats, gloves, and hats. It will take some of the crazy out of coming and going.

Use Bonus Spaces as Guest Retreats

Not every home has a dedicated guest bedroom—and that’s okay. Bonus spaces like finished basements, upper-level additions, lofts, or flex rooms can easily double as comfortable guest retreats during the holidays. In one of our recent projects, FourSquare, Doubled, a two-story addition created exactly this kind of flexibility.

Laundry room remodel that makes the most out of this small footprint.

Linens Prepped and Ready

Be sure to have plenty of linens readily available. Store guest sheets as a set inside a pillowcase to keep them organized. Leave a lavender pillow spray next to the bed and provide an extra blanket for guests who sleep cold.

Point Them to the Laundry

Let your guests know where and how to use the laundry room, or place instructions on top of the washer so they can easily figure out which buttons to push. Having laundry accessible can make their stay even more comfortable and save them from going home with a suitcase full of dirty laundry as a holiday souvenir!

Outside-of-the-House Activities Planned Ahead of Time

Your guests are likely looking for some holiday adventures, so it’s a great idea to plan some outside-of-the-house activities. Winter in Minneapolis offers endless opportunities for adventure, from ice skating and sledding in local parks to festive events like the Great Northern Festival and the St. Paul Winter Carnival. You can find a full list of activities here, and afterward, warm up with these festive drink recipes.