The Little Things That Make Overnight Guests Feel at Home

If you’ve ever been the first person awake in a cozy Logan Square two-flat or a sprawling home out in Naperville, you’ve probably wondered whether to press start on the Nespresso or wait for your host. You can feel completely welcome and still be unsure about opening a kitchen cabinet or guessing which bath towel is meant for you.

We’ve gathered a few ideas to help you get ready for your own overnight visitors, whether they’ll have a guest room to themselves or you’re converting a Lincoln Park living room into a bedroom for the weekend.

Start with a place where your guests can leave their suitcase open. A bench or luggage rack works well, and a sturdy chair is useful if that’s what you have. For a short weekend trip from Michigan, a few hangers and a hook for a heavy winter coat or rain jacket may be all the extra storage they need. If they’re staying longer, clearing a drawer lets them unpack a little more.

Guests crash-landing on a sectional or an air mattress will appreciate somewhere to keep their things during the day, too. A small tote or basket works for a towel, toiletries, and a charger, and they can carry it into the bathroom when they need it. Beside the bed, leave room for a book, glasses, and a drink of water. You can borrow an accent table from another room or pull up a chair for the weekend.

If you’ll be folding up the sleeper sofa each morning to reclaim your floor space, choose a place to keep all of the bedding together. A large woven basket or an empty closet shelf will do until it’s time to make up the bed again.

As you’re showing guests around, mention the small quirks you do without thinking, like double-checking the deadbolt on the front gate or setting the security system before bed. You can show them the bathroom and where to grab a glass of tap or filtered water along the way. It’s also helpful to point out a pet gate, a steep set of vintage stair treads, or a hallway light switch that’s tricky to spot.

A phone charger is easy to forget when rushing out the door to catch a Metra train or a flight into O'Hare, so leave a spare near the bed if you have one. Check that there’s an outlet within reach and a lamp guests can turn off once they’re under the covers. Make your guest room welcoming with easy-to-find amenities, like writing the Wi-Fi password on a card for the nightstand so no one has to flip over the router at midnight.

In a shared bathroom, setting out a fresh bath sheet and washcloth for each person takes away any uncertainty about which ones are off-limits. Leave a little counter space beside the sink for their Doppler kit and extra toilet paper where they can easily find it. A spare toothbrush, travel-size toothpaste, shampoo, and soap are lifesavers if someone realizes they forgot an essential after the neighborhood Walgreens or Jewel-Osco has closed for the night.

Chicagoans know weather can swing 30 degrees in a single afternoon. An extra knit blanket at the foot of the bed and a floor fan nearby give your guests options whether the radiators are blasting or the lake breeze drops the temp. If you have a choice of soft or firm pillows, ask which they prefer while showing them around. You can explain how to nudge the Nest thermostat then, too.

Then there’s the morning sun. A sunny home office in Evanston can feel great during the afternoon but turn bright enough to wake someone at 5:30 AM. If you don’t usually sleep in that space, check how well the blinds block out ambient streetlights and morning rays. For getting around in the middle of the night, keep the hallway clear of shoes and leave a night-light plugged in near the bathroom.

It’s much easier to feel at home in someone’s kitchen once you know which cabinet holds the coffee mugs. Before bed, show your guests where you keep the Dark Matter coffee beans, tea bags, and breakfast snacks, and invite them to help themselves in the morning. If your espresso machine or pour-over setup takes a little finesse, a quick demo the night before goes a long way.

If you love cooking up a full weekend spread, let guests know roughly when you plan to serve. Fresh pastries from a local spot like Lost Larson or Stan's Donuts, granola, or sliced sourdough ready for the toaster will tide over early risers. And if your household gets noisy early with kids or dogs, mentioning that schedule ahead of time helps visitors know what to expect.

After a morning spent walking around Lakeview or browsing shops along the suburban downtown strip, your guests might appreciate an hour with a book or a stroll on their own before dinner. Share any plans for evening meals so they know when to regroup and when they can explore at their own pace. Suggest a quick walk down to the nearest neighborhood coffee shop, pass along favorite local dinner menus, or point them toward the nearest stretch of the 606 trail or Lakefront Path.

A jigsaw puzzle on the coffee table is a low-stress option for relaxing at home. Guests can work on it while you finish getting ready, and anyone can drop in to help. The team at Apartment Therapy highlights the value of creating a home base for overnight guests, a shared, low-pressure spot with a game or puzzle where everyone can gather throughout the visit. A few recent issues of Chicago Magazine or local paperbacks nearby offer something easy for anyone who wants to unwind.

We hope you enjoy hosting your visiting friends and family. If you ever need tailored recommendations for local neighborhood joints, patio dining, or sightseeing spots across the city and suburbs, we’re always happy to share our top local favorites!