7 Things Every Houseguest Should Do (And 3 Hosting Hacks)

Many people travel “over the river and through the woods” to visit family or friends during the holidays, and being a considerate guest can help make those holiday visits memorable — for the right reasons! While I’ve shared tips for hosts to make their guests feel welcome in the past, I think it’s just as important to be a considerate guest when you’re staying with someone else.

In this post, I’ll share a few simple tips for being a good guest while staying at someone else’s home. As you’ll soon learn, the measure of a good guest isn’t how clean, quiet, or unobtrusive they are — it’s how they show respect!

Jillee’s Take:

I play the role of host much more often than the role of houseguest, so many of these “rules” were inspired by things my own houseguests have done that I really appreciated as a host. Use these simple tips to ensure you’ll be invited back for a future stay (at my house, at least!)

7 Rules For Being A Good Houseguest

1. Set Arrival And Departure Dates In Advance

A surprise visitor can be fun, but clear expectations make things easier for hosts and their guests. Iron out basic details like arrival and departure dates well ahead of your stay. (You don’t have to have everything scheduled down to the hour, but your host should at least know how many days you’ll be staying with them!)

2. Be Clear About Accommodations

If you need any special accommodations from your host during your stay (i.e. allergies, dietary restrictions, special needs), let them know before you arrive. (A close friend or family member may already know about any special needs or requirements you have, but a simple reminder never hurts!)

3. Make The Bed

Throughout your stay, making the bed each morning and keeping the room tidy are simple ways to convey respect. Try to keep the bathroom neat too, especially if you’re sharing one. Your host will appreciate it!

4. Bring A Gift

Bringing a small gift for your host is an easy way to show your appreciation, and it doesn’t have to be expensive or elaborate! One simple and popular option is to bring your host something special from where you live, like Arizona prickly pear jelly or Wisconsin cheese curds.

5. Be Present

One important modern etiquette tip that is especially important for guests is to be present and engaged with the people around you. Feel free to respond to a text or take a quick call, but avoid paying more attention to your phone (or laptop, book, tablet, etc.) than the people around you.

6. Ask Before Using Appliances

Depending on the length of your stay, you may want to wash your clothes at some point, so ask your host if you can use their washer and dryer in advance. (Most hosts won’t have a problem with it, but it’s polite to ask!)

7. Respect House Rules

Some hosts will tell you about their house rules, like a no-shoes-inside rule to keep carpets clean or a no-dogs-on-the-couch rule, but it’s an easy detail to forget! If your host doesn’t mention any specific house rules, asking for guidance about things like recycling is smart and considerate!

BONUS: 3 Rules For Being A Good Host

A good houseguest deserves a good host! These simple tips will help you make your guests feel at home.

1. Show Guests Around

When hosting new guests, take some time to show them around the house to explain where things are and how you like to do things. Knowing where to find a clean cup or towel can make all the difference in your guests’ comfort!

2. Stock The Bathroom

Speaking of towels, make sure the bathroom your guest(s) will be using has plenty of toilet paper, hand soap, and clean towels. It’s also a good idea to store things a guest may be embarrassed to ask about (like a plunger or air freshener) in an obvious place.

If you want to go the extra mile, keep a stock of basic toiletries like lotion, body wash, shampoo, and conditioner in the guest bathroom as well. Not every guest will think to (or remember) to bring them!

3. Offer Activities And Recommendations

Your guests don’t need constant entertainment, but having a few activities and recommendations to offer is usually welcome! Keep a short list of local attractions and food spots you like in the guest room, along with a few magazines, puzzles, or board games they can use if they’re hanging out around the house. (Speaking of games, party games can be great ice-breakers when hosting guests who don’t know each other!)

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What do you think makes a good houseguest?