How This "Home Base" Hack Makes Hosting Overnight Guests Way Less Stressful
Whenever I want to make overnight guests feel relaxed, I like to think about how I feel when I stay in someone else’s home. I know I’m an invited visitor, yet it can be awkward; I worry about infringing on my host’s space or disrupting their routines. That’s why I make it a priority for my home to be more than just a place to get some sleep — and I’ve found the perfect hack to make overnight guests feel comfortable every time.
The holiday season comes with plenty of opportunities for overnight stays, and creating a “home base” is essential to making people feel relaxed.
Here’s how it works and how I plan to use it this holiday season.
What is the “home base” hack?
One easy way to help people enjoy themselves is to designate a common area in your home — in my case, the den off of my home’s front entrance — and put out something as simple as a puzzle or a game for guests to enjoy at their leisure. This creates a “home base,” a spot where people know they can hang out any time of day.
As someone who loves reading or listening to music to unwind, I’ve stocked my den with books and music. I’ve had guests hang out here before I discovered the “home base” hack, but using someone else’s record player or digging into their book collection can be too personal for some people.
That’s why setting out something that’s more impersonal — but still fun! — that you can easily start and stop, like a puzzle or a board game, is the key to making this hack work for anyone. Just put it out, and let your guests know when they arrive that they can make their way to the “home base” any time of day. Pro tip: If you have only one guest, you definitely want to use a puzzle (a 500-piece or 1,000-piece version should be good, or you can set out mini puzzles).
Since providing a puzzle or a game is all the hack entails, you can put your own twist on it. For instance, I’ve outfitted my den with cozy blankets and soft lighting to make those late nights feel extra special. I’ve even put a coffee pot and mugs in the space, so early morning puzzling is that much more enjoyable.
If you don’t have a room to designate as the “home base,” you can totally use a coffee table or a desk — just size out a puzzle that works for the space you have!
How does the “home base” hack work?
The beauty of a “home base” is that it’s an organic way to bring everyone together, whether it’s a single guest and the people who live in the home or multiple overnighters who might not know each other well.
I haven’t tried this exact hack with guests in my home yet, but I think it’ll make my nook even more welcoming than it already is. A multiperson activity like a puzzle or a board game acts as a natural conduit for people to start talking with each other, and I already know it’ll be the first place I go when I wake up or there’s a lull in the day.
Even when my den was filled with books and records, I’d often find friends and family gravitating to this corner when they visited. I can’t wait to see how this “home base” hack transforms my den into a gathering space where easy chats turn into fascinating conversations — all while guests try to find the next puzzle piece.
The “home base” hack is good for the host, too! Instead of feeling like you have to entertain guests every second of the day, you can create a space that does just that.
Whether you’re hosting this holiday season or simply looking to create a welcoming atmosphere for future guests, consider carving out a “home base.” You might be surprised by the warmth and togetherness it brings to your home, one completed puzzle at a time.
Further Reading
I Just Discovered the Smartest Way to Store Paper Towels in Your Kitchen (It’s a Game-Changer!)
See How a Stager Used Paint to Transform a 1950s Living Room
