Benjamin Franklin was reported to have said that “Guests, like fish, begin to smell after three days." Now it is highly unlikely that he was being literal, but as we all know there is nothing worse than a houseguest who overstays his, or her, welcome. The flip side of that coin is that it is also equally uncomfortable being the houseguest who is made to feel like they are in the way or imposing.

So, what, you may ask, is the solution? Well, there are several, and they are all very simple, and none of them involve building an east wing extension on to your house you will be happy to hear.

Create a space where your guests can take up residence,whether for three days or three weeks (although that might push the bounds of any friendship) that is comfortable, and is behind a door that shuts. No one wants the couch surfer taking up residence.

In some cases, a spare bedroom might not be an option, so then what? Your old varsity friend is in town for a few nights and need a place to crash. Thankfully there are clever, multipurpose solutions that mean he, or she, can have a bed for the night and you can have a sofa during the day too. Enter sleeper couches. One of the greatest inventions ever, these dual purpose items mean you can have the best of both worlds.

If you do have a guest bedroom, in most cases they are often a black hole of junk and neglected. They become the over sized storage cupboard or well-intentioned gym, that NEVER gets used. They fill up with random stuff that no one knows what to do with but never wants to throw away and an eclectic collection of exercise and camping equipment. An great solution for this scenario is a set of bunk beds, particularly if you have kids. They are space saving and kids love them! “But our guests are not always kids" we hear you say… There is such a huge range of good quality beds and mattresses out there, and after a certain age sleep support is vitally important, even for children. You should be thinking about investing in in good quality beds and mattresses for your children anyway. That way you can move your house guests into your kids rooms and as a special treat the kids get a few nights in the bunk beds. Problem solved.

Whichever of these solutions works for you, for your own sanity, if you are going to have house guests you need to create a space where they are not under foot; a space where both you and they feel comfortable and at home.

Source: http://bedssleepscience.tumblr.com/post/145702631281/how-to-make-the-unwanted-house-guest-wanted