Simple Ways to Make Overnight Guests Feel Welcome in Your Home

Inside: Opening your home? Simple touches can help overnight guests feel loved and cared for — no perfection required. Sharing practical tips on the blog today 💛

As homemakers, one of the sweetest ways we get to love others is through opening our homes. Hospitality doesn’t have to mean a perfectly decorated house or an elaborate meal plan—it’s simply an opportunity to serve, to bless, and to extend the love of Christ through the ordinary spaces we live in every day. And when we have overnight guests, a few simple touches can help them feel at ease, cared for, and truly welcome.

(If you’re looking for more encouragement on cultivating biblical hospitality, I have a podcast episode on Cultivating Biblical Hospitality in Your Home and Life and a list of some of my favorite books on biblical hospitality that may be helpful too.)

Here are some simple, practical ways we can prepare our homes and our hearts to serve overnight guests well:

1. Prepare Their Space Ahead of Time

Before your guests arrive, take a little time to make sure their sleeping space is cozy and inviting.

• Fresh, clean sheets on the bed.
• Extra pillows and a blanket nearby.
• Fresh towels placed where they can easily find them when they arrive — I like to set a folded towel set right on the bed for each guest.
• Keep extra toiletries on hand for a few items they may have forgotten: toothbrush, toothpaste, lotion, chapstick, or a little packet of tissues.
• A bottle of water and maybe a small snack on the nightstand. Chocolate is always a welcome treat or mints.

It’s these little touches that say, “We’re glad you’re here, and we’ve thought of you.”

“Contribute to the needs of the saints and seek to show hospitality.” 

— Romans 12:13

2. Think About Their Comfort

Every home is a little different, and sometimes guests feel awkward asking for things. Try to anticipate small comforts that might help them settle in:

• Offer a fan or space heater if needed.
• Make a little space for them to unpack, whether it’s a few empty drawers or some room in the closet with hangers available.
• Keep a nightlight on or show them where the light switches are for nighttime.
• Walk them through where they can find extra toiletries, the bathroom, and even how to work the coffee machine in the morning.

3. Let Them Know What to Expect

Sometimes what helps a guest feel most at ease is simply knowing your household flow.

• Let them know what meals are planned, when you usually wake up, or if you have anything scheduled for the day.
• Ask if there’s anything they enjoy for breakfast or coffee so you can have it ready.
• Check ahead to see if your guests have any special dietary needs or food allergies. This allows you to plan meals that everyone can enjoy and helps your guests feel cared for. Even simple adjustments can go a long way in making them feel comfortable.

Be sure to offer quiet time if they need to rest or have downtime.

This helps everyone relax and makes the visit more enjoyable for everyone.

4. Thoughtful Touches in Their Room

It doesn’t have to be a full welcome basket, but a few simple items can help your guests feel at home and cared for:

• A Bible and a small devotional book on the nightstand.
• A few brochures or local attraction guides in case they want to explore the area.
• A candle with a lighter nearby.
• An easy spot for them to charge their phone (with an extra charging station if you have one available).
• The wi-fi code written out so they don’t have to ask.
• A small vase with fresh flowers is a beautiful addition.

It doesn’t need to be elaborate or overdone. Just a few simple touches can help your guests feel cared for and most importantly, at home during their stay.

5. Remembering What Matters Most

This is one I have to remind myself of so often. It’s can be so easy to get caught up in wanting everything to be just right—the clean house, the perfect meals, the special details. But hospitality isn’t about trying to impress our guests—it’s about loving them. It’s about opening our home and our hearts, trusting that the Lord will use even our simple efforts to bless others.

• Don’t get caught up in having everything perfectly tidy.
• Focus on being available to your guests—to sit and chat, to share a meal, to simply enjoy the time together.
• Your calm and peaceful spirit will do far more to make your guests feel welcome than a spotless house ever could.

“Show hospitality to one another without grumbling.” 

— 1 Peter 4:9

6. A Thoughtful Send-Off

When it’s time for your guests to head home, a few simple gestures go a long way:

• Offer coffee or breakfast before they leave.
• Help load the car or gather up any forgotten items.
• Send a quick text or note after they’ve arrived home to let them know how much you enjoyed having them.

A Closing Word of Encouragement

As we open our homes, we’re not just offering a place to stay—we’re offering a picture of gospel love. Hospitality gives us opportunities to serve others selflessly, to show kindness, and to reflect the welcome Christ has given to us. And so much of it is found in the simple, ordinary touches that say, You are welcome here. You are loved. You are seen.

May we serve our guests not for our own praise, but for God’s glory.