a North Dakotan girl through and through, wife, mother and die hard Catholic.

5 Tips for Hosting Overnight Guests with Warmth

Creating a Home that Says “You’re Welcome Here”

There’s something tender and timeless about opening your home to overnight guests. Whether it’s beloved family or an old friend passing through, offering a cozy place to rest is one of the simplest and most beautiful ways to love others well.

Hospitality doesn’t require perfection—just a heart ready to make space for someone else’s presence. If you’ve ever wondered how to host in a way that feels thoughtful and deeply welcoming, here are five gentle tips to help you prepare with grace and warmth.

1. Create Space For Comfort

Think of the guest room (or guest corner!) as a haven. Fresh sheets, a fluffy pillow, and a cozy throw at the foot of the bed go a long way. If space allows, a small basket with extra toiletries, a few magazines or a favorite book, and a carafe of water can make your guest feel gently cared for—like they’ve arrived at a little retreat.

Add something personal, too: a handwritten note on the nightstand or a small bouquet of garden blooms brings charm and intentionality.

2. Think Ahead to Their Rhythm

Do your guests rise early? Sleep in? Have dietary needs or little ones in tow? A bit of thoughtfulness ahead of time makes everyone feel more at ease. A simple text before their visit—“Do you take your coffee with cream or honey?”—feels like a warm hug before they even walk through the door.

Consider creating a morning nook with coffee, tea, and a small plate of pastries or fruit so they can help themselves while the house wakes up slowly.

3. Layer the Home with Little Touches of Welcome

Warmth lives in the little things. Light a candle in the evening. Tuck extra blankets in a basket near the couch. Make room for quiet corners—a rocking chair with a view, a puzzle on the table, or soft music playing in the background.

Hospitality is more than presentation—it’s atmosphere. Let your home say, “Stay as long as you’d like.”

4. Keep Meals Simple and Soulful

You don’t need a five-course meal to be a lovely host. A pot of soup, a fresh loaf of bread, or even breakfast-for-dinner feels nourishing and sincere. Bonus points if everyone can serve themselves and linger around the table. Don’t forget to ask for any food allergies or sensitivities beforehand!

Invite your guests to help if they’d like—some of the best memories are made while chopping herbs side by side or washing dishes while chatting about everything and nothing.

5. Give the Gift of Margin

Sometimes, guests need space as much as they need company. Give them permission to rest. A few open hours for a walk, a nap, or reading on the porch can be just as memorable as your best-hosted meal.

And don’t forget: you can let go of perfect. Dusty baseboards and unmade beds don’t matter nearly as much as a warm smile, a gentle spirit, and a home full of heart.

In the end, hospitality is less about impressing and more about embracing.

When we open our doors, we also open our lives—and what a sacred, beautiful gift that is.

Here’s to homes that feel like an exhale,

and to being the kind of host who makes others feel cherished,

just by being welcomed in.

A few extra tips for coziness

Freshly cleaned bedding! After our previous guests leave I stripped the old bedding and give a good wash in our non toxic detergent! For a bit of added freshness in the summertime dry your bedding in the sunshine! Especially those coming into your home may have sensitives or allergies to artificial fragrances as it’s something we try to avoid in our own home.

I wipe down all surfaces, vacuum and clean the mirror (if you have toddlers you know)!

I get out our signage! This is just a little print welcoming our guests, letting them know where they can find beverages, snacks, towels, toiletries, WiFi passwords or anything else they may need I made in Canva! You could also add any local recommendations of restaurants, coffee, things to do if you don’t plan on being with your guests the whole time and they have time to kill exploring!

I open the window! Even in the winter I open up the windows for about 10 minutes everyday to let airflow throughout the room and our home!

If you want to take it one step further ask your guest beforehand what snacks, beverages, etc that they like to have on hand for their stay! If they are bringing small children possibly add a mess free toy or craft to include for them!

Cozy lighting! We make sure we have lamps in the room to make the room nice and calm during those colder months or if our guest would like to read before bed! We also like to add some beeswax candles to help encourage that warm feel with the added bonus of purifying the air when lit.

I huge believer in details and intention go so far especially in decorating and creating the overall feel of your space even more as a visual creative like myself!

What do you to get your home ready for guests?