Katie’s Keys · Holiday Hosting

Katie’s Keys: A Holiday Guide to Making Overnight Guests Feel at Home

A little preparation in the bedroom and bathroom can make a big difference to the people staying with you.

By Katie Long DePaola, Long Home Spokesperson & Fourth-Generation Long Family Member · Updated November 2026

When you’re getting your house ready for the holidays, you probably think about cleaning, decorating, and, of course, food. There are sheets to wash, groceries to buy, and possibly a spirited family discussion about which side dishes absolutely have to make an appearance.

But some of the things that make guests feel most comfortable are easy to overlook.

Can they find the bathroom at night? Is there somewhere convenient to charge their phone? What happens if they’re cold after everyone else has gone to bed?

Welcome back to Katie’s Keys, where I help you get your…house in order.

This time, I’m getting ready for holiday guests with four simple additions: a nightlight, an extra phone charger, a nonslip bathmat, and an extra blanket.

They might seem like a random mix, but they all serve the same purpose: anticipating what your guests need so they don’t have to ask.

Start by thinking like a guest

You know your home. You know which switch turns on the hallway light, where the extra towels live, and which outlet is hidden behind the nightstand.

Your guests are still figuring those things out.

Before they arrive, walk through the spaces they’ll use, starting at the front door and ending where they’ll sleep. Look for somewhere to put a suitcase, hang a coat, and set down a phone or pair of glasses. In the bathroom, consider whether there’s room for their toiletries alongside your own.

You don’t need to empty every drawer or redesign a room. Clearing a few useful surfaces can make settling in much easier.

It also helps to ask ahead of time: “Is there anything that would make your stay more comfortable?” That gives guests a chance to mention something you might not think to prepare.

Then, once the basics are ready, turn your attention to these four small touches.

1. Get the bathroom ready for someone else’s routine

A clean bathroom is a good start, but take a moment to think about how your guests will use it.

In my guest bathroom, there’s a tub with a high side to step over. That can be harder for some people to navigate. One of my preparations is adding a nonslip mat designed for use inside the tub, following its placement instructions.

When you’re choosing a mat, pay attention to where it belongs. A mat intended for the bathroom floor serves a different purpose from one designed for the inside of a tub or shower. Check that it’s suitable for the surface and follow the manufacturer’s instructions.

Of course, a mat doesn’t change the height of a bathtub. If a guest has difficulty stepping over the side, ask before their visit whether the setup will work for them. Having that conversation ahead of time gives you both a chance to prepare.

While you’re getting the room ready, make the everyday essentials easy to find:

• Set out clean bath towels, hand towels, and washcloths.
• Make sure there’s spare toilet paper somewhere obvious.
• Leave space for a toiletry bag.
• Check that soap is available and ready to use.
• Show guests how the shower controls work if they’re a little unusual.

You’ve had years to learn the precise position that makes your shower warm. Your guests shouldn’t have to solve that mystery first thing in the morning.

If getting ready for a visit brings a bigger concern into focus, such as a tub that’s difficult to step into, it may be worth exploring bathroom accessibility options for everyday use, too.

2. Add a nightlight before lights-out

Even a familiar room feels different in the dark. In someone else’s home, finding the bathroom can involve a little more guesswork.

A nightlight gives guests a useful point of reference without making them search for a switch or turn on a bright overhead light.

My guest room has an attached bathroom, so guests don’t have far to go, but I still like having a nightlight there. One that turns on automatically when the room gets dark is especially convenient.

Think about the whole route from the bed to the bathroom. If guests need to cross a hallway, lighting only the bathroom may leave part of the journey dark.

Before they arrive, take that walk yourself with the main lights off. Notice where a little light would help, and check for bags, shoes, cords, or other things left in the walking path.

Once your guests have unpacked, show them where the light switches are. It takes a few seconds and saves them from trying every switch on the wall later.

3. Put a phone charger somewhere obvious

Don’t make your guests crawl behind furniture looking for an outlet. They’ve traveled to see you; they’ve done enough work.

Plug in an extra charger near the bed or another convenient surface and leave the cord where they can see it. If you’re unsure which connector they need, ask before they arrive.

Then check whether the setup actually works for someone using the room. Can the phone rest on the nightstand while it charges? Is the outlet easy to reach? Can they plug it in without moving a lamp or unplugging something else?

Keep the cord out of the walking path, too. You want a convenient charging spot that fits comfortably into the room.

If there’s no suitable outlet near the bed, show them another charging spot when they arrive. The thoughtful part is making the answer easy to find.

4. Leave an extra blanket within reach

Your perfect sleeping temperature might feel chilly to someone else.

Fold an extra blanket at the foot of the bed or leave one on a nearby chair. Placing it somewhere visible is more useful than keeping it in a closet your guests may not feel comfortable opening.

This gives them a simple way to get comfortable after everyone else has gone to sleep. They can add a layer without searching the house or wondering whether it’s worth waking you.

As you make the bed, check that there’s room to set aside any decorative pillows or throws. A beautifully arranged bed is lovely, but guests also need somewhere to put everything when it’s time to sleep.

The same goes for the bedside table. Leave a little space for a phone, glasses, or a glass of water. The goal is a room that feels ready to use.

No dedicated guest room? These ideas still work

You can create a welcoming overnight space with a sofa bed, an air mattress, or a room that usually serves another purpose.

Set up the sleeping space before bedtime so your guests can see where everything goes. Have the bedding ready, clear a place for their belongings, and point out a convenient charging spot.

Leave the extra blanket nearby and show them the route to the bathroom. If they’re sleeping in a shared space, explain what to expect in the morning, especially if someone will be passing through early.

A little information helps people settle in. They shouldn’t have to wonder whether they need to pack everything away before someone comes downstairs for coffee.

Your before-the-doorbell checklist

Once everything is in place, take one final walk through the bedroom and bathroom.

• Bathroom: Towels, soap, and spare toilet paper are easy to find.
• Bath or shower: The setup works for your guest, with any mat used according to its instructions.
• Lighting: Guests can find the bathroom after dark.
• Walking route: Bags, shoes, and cords are out of the way.
• Charging: A compatible charger or convenient outlet is easy to reach.
• Bedding: An extra blanket is visible.
• Personal space: There’s somewhere to put a suitcase, toiletries, and everyday belongings.

When guests arrive, give them a quick tour of the essentials. Show them where things are, explain anything unusual, and let them settle in.

Katie’s Key to making guests feel at home

Getting your home ready for the holidays is about more than making it look beautiful. It’s also about thinking through the little details that will make your guests feel comfortable and welcome once they arrive.

A nightlight helps them find their way. A charger saves them from searching for an outlet. A thoughtfully prepared bathroom makes the morning easier. And an extra blanket means they can get comfortable without having to ask.

You don’t need a perfectly decorated guest room to be a thoughtful host. Sometimes, it’s the simplest gestures that make someone feel truly at home.

That’s Katie’s Key to making your guests feel right at home this holiday season!

This article was written by Katie Long DePaola, a fourth-generation member of Long Home’s founding family and the voice behind Katie’s Keys, where she shares home improvement ideas and practical inspiration to help homeowners create spaces that work for them.

If preparing for guests has you thinking about a tub or shower that no longer works for the people using it, explore Long Home’s bath remodeling options. Request a consultation.