4 Home Renovations to Make When Expecting Guests

Are you someone who hosts overnight guests often? It is important to ensure your home is comfortable enough for your guests. You can start by checking out these four home renovations to make when expecting guests for several days.

Mudroom Addition

A mudroom is sure to make your guests feel right at home. Start by adding a built-in mudroom hutch to your entrance. Your mudroom hutch may include several stalls with hooks for coats and jackets. The hutch should also include shelves above the stalls for outdoor accessories and a space underneath the stalls for footwear. You can even add a bench or chair for putting on or taking off shoes. A mudroom is a great investment because your family can use this space after your guests leave.

Built-In Storage

You may want to add built-in storage to the guest bedroom to ensure your guests have enough space for their belongings. Built-in storage can range from wall shelves to storage beds. Your guests do not need a lot of storage space unless they are staying for several weeks. However, you should always provide enough storage space for them to live comfortably during their stay. They can use the storage bed for their apparel and accessories, and the built-in shelves can be used for comfort items such as picture frames or figurines.

Bathroom Upgrades

It never hurts to look into bathroom renovations when expecting guests. You may want to install a spacious walk-in shower to add a touch of luxury to the space, or maybe you want to add an oversized soaking tub for guests who need to unwind after a day of activities. A narrow built-in shelving unit is perfect for their toiletries and grooming products, while a spacious vanity makes it easier for your guests to get ready each day. Other upgrades may include recessed lighting, an energy-efficient toilet, a rain shower head, and handlebars.

Separate Space

If you have the funds and space, you can always create a separate area for your guests. One idea is to convert an entire basement or garage into an apartment-inspired space. Another idea is to convert the pool house to a guest house for maximum privacy and comfort. If you do not have a pool house, you can have a small guest house added to your backyard. Whether you are converting the basement or pool house, your guest space should at least include a bedroom, bathroom, and small kitchen.

There are several home renovations to consider for your guests, from upgrading the bathroom to creating a separate space. The key is to make your guests feel right at home during their stay.

Guest Post - 10 Undeniably Useful Tips for First-Time Airbnb Hosts

Renting out your free room or property via Airbnb can be a very lucrative business for you. That is if you know what you’re doing.

Since there are a lot of travelers nowadays, a lot of them likely want to find affordable accommodation. This explains why Airbnb is such a strong competition against hotels and resorts.

On that note, if you’re new to the Airbnb hosting game, then you can try and read the ten tips listed below to find out how you can get that “Super Host” badge.

Be responsive to inquiries

First things first, your guests are likely going to have several questions before deciding whether to book your space or not. Thus, make sure that you respond as soon and as concise as possible.

Remember to have patience when it comes to receiving repetitive questions. Believe me, hearing the same question over and over is something that you will encounter once you have your place listed on Airbnb.

Nonetheless, being an accommodating host will be something that your guests will appreciate and will reflect on your reviews.

Produce great photos of your unit

When people are browsing Airbnb rental, the photos are what attracts them the most. Therefore, you should invest in high-quality images of your space to catch the eye of your potential guests.

A quick note on the photos: Only take pictures of your space and the amenities that come with it.

A lot of Airbnb hosts tend to upload brochures or images of their front door, which some guests deem irrelevant.

Be honest

Although marketing your rental is an excellent way of getting more guests, that doesn’t mean that you should fabricate it. Doing so can bite you back when the reviews come.

Make sure that you don’t embellish your space’s description so that you could entice the guests.

Highlight the key features of your space instead. For example, you own a studio unit, but it comes with an ergonomic design that provides the guests with a lot of storage.

Don’t forget to caption each photo appropriately so that people know what to expect with your rental.

Get organized

Once you get the ball rolling, you’re going to end up with bookings after bookings. So if you’re not used to things, then you might lose valuable guests or get negative reviews.

This is why you must organize the bookings that you receive. Make sure that you make enough time to clean up and prepare the rental for a good turnover.

You wouldn’t want your next guest to come into your rental only to find that it’s messy and have traces of the previous guests.

Set some house rules

One way to avoid taking a long time trying to tidy up your Airbnb for the next guest is by setting up house rules.

These rules will ensure that nothing terrible happens to your rental while other people are occupying your space. At the same time, your guests know what their limits are when they’re staying in your place.

Although these rules aren’t set in stone, it still helps your guests know what your expectations are.

Add personality to your space

To make your Airbnb listing stand out from the rest, you should find a way to add some personality to your rental.

One way to do that is through how you decorate your entire space. Sticking to a single theme will help.

Although it’s important to add personality to your space, make sure that you don’t add any personal memorabilia in it. Not only will it feel a bit like the guests are intruding on someone else’s place, but there’s no guarantee that your memorabilia will be safe.

Ensure your space is squeaky clean

Ensuring that your space is clean is one of the most basic rules of renting out your space on Airbnb.

Cleanliness is the first thing that your guests will notice. If you don’t end up keeping a clean Airbnb, your guests will have a bad impression of the space, no matter how great your decor or interior design is.

You should consider short-term cleaning services and establish a relationship with a reliable service provider so that you get efficient with your turnover.

Fix potential hazards

You want your guests to stay at your place without any worries. You also want to let guests stay at your space without worrying whether or not they had to deal with some hazardous parts of your space.

Whether you have any exposed wiring or you have a leaky faucet, make sure that you address these immediately.

Engage with your guests

As their host, you should be welcoming without being too nosy about their personal space. You want to be as helpful as possible without having too much direct involvement.

You can do that by leaving special gifts that your guests can use during their stay. Each guest is different, so try and feel out how much involvement they may want from you.

Ask guests for their feedback

Before your guest leaves and checks out for the day, try and tell them to leave a review for your rental. As well as their overall experience with you.

The more reviews you get with as much detail as possible, the better it is for you and your success as an Airbnb host.

There are a lot of simple changes and tips that new Airbnb hosts can keep in mind. Not to mention that it can significantly improve how you can manage your listings. At the end of the day, as long as you keep a well-maintained property and respond to guests promptly and adequately, you should be fine.

About the Author - Jacky Xu is the Chief Operating Officer for MaidSailors.com, an Airbnb cleaning service provider in New York. Maid Sailors provide a wide range of cost-effective, yet high-quality cleaning services that are sure to delight their customers.

Guest Post - 4 Small Details That Guests Notice When They Visit Your Home

The interior of your home is a reflection of your tastes and personality, and often gives guests an instant impression of who you are. Are you a minimalist? An art enthusiast? Someone who just really loves the color blue? No matter what personal style you showcase in your space, there are certain things guests are guaranteed to notice when they step inside your front door. And it’s those little details that really make a difference in the look and feel of your home.

Everyone wants their house to feel warm and welcoming and, above all, be a place they are proud to call home when hosting friends and family. Of course, you want your home to express your personality, but you also want it to be a comfortable and pleasant place to spend your time. Decor and interior design aside, there are certain boxes you want your home to check when it comes to creating an inviting ambiance. Below you’ll find the small but significant details guests notice when they visit your home so you can ensure your space is always in tip-top shape, at the ready for an impromptu occasion to entertain. 

Smell: Does Your Home Have a Signature Scent?

Places, like people, have unique signature scents, and your house is no exception. While you might not notice the familiar fragrance associated with your home, your guests certainly will. So naturally, you’ll want your home’s trademark aroma to provide an enjoyable sensory experience for anyone who drops by. 

Make your home smell great by placing refreshing and relaxing aromatherapy candles in every room. Mood-boosting scents like calming lavender, invigorating citrus and joy-inducing vanilla make excellent everyday fragrances, perfect for creating a lovely aromatic atmosphere throughout your house. Specifically, in your bathrooms, choose scents that make your home smell like a spa to ensure a clean and pleasant aroma even in the powder room. Candles make sprucing up your home for guests a snap and double as decorative pieces, as well! Choose aromas that resonate with you and you’re sure to have guests admiring your home’s signature scent. 

Cleanliness: A Pristine Home Is a Happy Home 

Okay, so “pristine” might seem like a stretch (after all, homes are meant to be lived in, right?); however, you will want to keep your house as clean as possible, especially when you’re expecting company. Luckily, there are a few tips and tricks you can use to help you maintain a spotless space day-to-day so you won’t have to go into a deep-cleaning frenzy every time you find yourself hosting. 

Invest in doormats for every entryway to cut down on vacuuming, and stock cleaning supplies conveniently throughout your home to make freshening up any room effortless. And pay extra attention to rooms that might need more regular scrubbing, like the kitchen or the bathroom. By doing a little cleaning each day, your home will not only look, smell and feel fresher, but you’ll have a space that’s already spic and span when even the unexpected guests arrive. 

Tidiness: Save Your Space from Clutter-Overload 

While your house may be spotless in terms of dirt and dust, your home could still be suffering from unsightly clutter. If your miscellaneous piles of mail, still-waiting-to-be-put-away purchases and yet-to-be-donated odds and ends has evolved into visual background noise, it’s definitely time to tidy up. Because even if you don’t often notice the growing pile of clutter in your home, it might be a little off-putting to guests. Plus, there’s no better time than the present to organize your space.  

First things first: If there are any online buys waiting to be returned, mail long overdue to be tossed in the trash or assorted items that need to find a permanent home in your house, make tackling those your priority. Then, if your place is still weighed down by stuff you no longer need, look into consignment or donation. Check out local or online consignment services like Poshmark, Mercari or Letgo that allow you to connect with interested buyers and make money off the clothing and everyday items you’re ready to part with. Or opt to donate instead and feel good knowing the things you’re no longer using can now go to someone who can give them a second life. Once you’re finished tidying up your home, you’ll immediately notice the difference in your newly neat space, and your guests certainly will, too. 

Comfort: Invite Your Guests to Cozy Up and Settle in 

Last, but definitely not least, let’s chat about comfort. There’s a reason that phrases like “home is where the heart is” exist–because home should be a place filled with warmth and coziness. To make your guests feel right at home, it’s important to add those homey touches that invite friends and family to cozy up and stay awhile.

Fill your home with comforting scents to create a welcoming ambiance in every room. And to ensure your sofas and armchairs invite guests to make themselves comfortable, fix up these sitting areas with soft pillows and snuggly throw blankets. Even small details like a plush bath mat or a lamp that gives off warm, soft light in the space you tend to entertain can help a room feel more cozy. Enhance your home with these comfort-kindling tips and make it easy for your guests to settle in whenever they stop by.  

Impress Your Guests with a Home Ready to Host

Whether you’re having people over for a special occasion or simply hanging out with friends or family at your place, you want to have a space you’re excited to share with others. By crafting your home’s signature scent, cleaning and decluttering your space and making your house a comfortable place where your company can cozy up, you’ll have a winning, welcoming home ready to host at a moment’s notice. Plus, you’ll guarantee that those small details your guests take note of when they visit are nothing short of impressive.

Author bio: Taylor Sicard serves as the Co-Founder and CMO of Homesick, a hand-poured candle company that offers specialized scents to invoke feelings of nostalgia. Taylor is responsible for overseeing the planning, development, and execution of all Homesick marketing and content initiatives. When he is not working or writing, Taylor enjoys spending time with his fiancé and exploring the great outdoors!