How to Host Guests Without a Spare Room: Holiday Hosting Hacks

The holidays are supposed to be the most wonderful time of the year—but the truth is, they can also feel like a logistical puzzle worthy of its own Netflix special. Between juggling work, family traditions, and remembering who in the family is gluten-free this year, the last thing you want to stress about is where your guests are going to sleep.

Not everyone has the luxury of a spare bedroom waiting like a mini hotel suite. Most of us are working with what we’ve got: a sofa that’s seen better days, a dining room table that can’t decide if it’s a craft station or a workspace, and a living room that’s about to double as Cousin Mark’s bedroom for three nights.

And that’s okay—because not having a spare room doesn’t mean you can’t be a great host. In fact, some of the best holiday memories happen when everyone’s crammed together, tripping over suitcases, and laughing about it later. (You’ll laugh too, eventually. Probably sometime in February.) Guests don’t need five-star accommodations; they just need a space that feels comfortable, private-ish, and thought-out enough that they’re not wondering where to stash their toothbrush.

With a little creativity, your living room can moonlight as a guest suite, your home office can double as a cozy hideaway, and yes, a well-placed DIY temporary wall can work wonders when you need to invent a bedroom out of thin air. Hosting doesn’t have to be perfect—it just has to feel welcoming. Here are some practical holiday hosting hacks to help you pull it off—no spare room required.

Rethink your living spaces

One of the easiest ways to “find” a guest room is to stop treating your house like it’s set in stone. Your furniture doesn’t actually have to stay where it always has. For example, sliding the sofa closer to the wall can open up enough space for a mattress setup that doesn’t block every walkway. Or consider using a dining room corner—it might not scream “bedroom” right now, but a few quick adjustments (like moving the chairs out of the way and adding a rug) can make it feel like a cozy temporary retreat. Even that home office you’ve been promising to organize since 2020 can become a surprisingly decent guest room with a quick clean-up and a borrowed lamp.

When you’re rearranging, think about flow as much as comfort. A well-placed screen or even just shifting a bookshelf can carve out a natural boundary that makes the setup feel more like a private zone and less like a bed plopped in the middle of the action. Try to keep walkways clear so nobody is tripping over luggage or bumping into corners at night. And if the space is going to multitask—say, dining room by day, guest room by night—make it easy to switch back and forth without moving heaven and earth every morning.

Upgrade the sofa experience

The sofa is the classic stand-in guest bed, and while it may not have been designed for overnight stays, with a little effort, you can make it feel far from second-class. First, think about positioning. If your couch is in the middle of the living room chaos, consider shifting it closer to a wall or window to give your guest a sense of place. Even just turning it at a slight angle or tucking it into a corner can help it feel less exposed and more intentional rather than improvised.

Then upgrade the comfort—a mattress topper or even a thick quilt laid underneath the sheets can transform a lumpy couch into a surprisingly cozy bed. And while bedding matters, what really elevates the sofa experience is the thoughtful touches around it. Add a small side table—even if it’s just a stool in disguise—so your guest has a spot for a glass of water, their phone, or their glasses. A floor lamp or clip-on reading light can transform “sleeping on the couch” into “lounging in a cozy nook.” You can even roll up an ottoman or pouf nearby so they’ve got a spot to sit that isn’t their “bed.”

Create private zones for comfort

When you don’t have a guest room, comfort isn’t just about where your guests sleep—it’s about giving them a little slice of privacy in the middle of a busy household. Even in shared spaces, a small “zone” makes a huge difference—a little spot where they can escape the holiday chatter, change clothes without an audience, or just breathe for a minute.

Room dividers are perfect for creating private zones for your guests. A folding screen instantly adds a sense of separation and takes about 10 seconds to set up. A tall bookcase can double as both storage and a makeshift wall, while plants or even a curtain hung from a tension rod can create that “private corner” feeling. 

Modern DIY room dividers like this Abstract Modern Room Divider and this Affluent Flow Room Divider are especially great because they don’t just add instant privacy—they look good doing it. They can bring a sleek, bold edge to your decor while also giving your guests that little slice of separation they’ll appreciate. And when they’re not needed? They fold away or tuck into storage just as quickly.

Air mattresses done right

Air mattresses have come a long way since the squeaky, half-deflated torture devices of the past. These days, you can buy queen-sized versions that inflate in minutes, stay firm through the night, and don’t make your guests feel like they’re camping in your living room. But here’s the trick: it’s not just about the mattress—it’s about how you dress it up.

Skip the sleeping bag and go for real bedding. Sheets, a duvet, and a couple of fluffy pillows turn that inflatable bed into a setup that feels deliberate, not last-minute. Add a chair nearby so your guest has a place to sit or stash clothes, and set up a basket with essentials like towels, bottled water, and maybe a midnight snack. These little upgrades don’t cost much, but they transform “the blow-up mattress in the living room” into “a cozy spot I’d happily sleep on again.”

Get your bathroom guest-ready

When you don’t have a spare room, the bathroom becomes the one place your guests can close the door and claim as their own—even if it’s just for ten minutes. That’s why giving it a little attention before they arrive makes a big difference.

Start with the basics: give everything a good clean. Swap out the bath mat, restock the toilet paper, and make sure the mirror isn’t covered in toothpaste splatter. Next, stock up on the essentials. Fresh towels, extra toilet paper, and backup toiletries (think soap, shampoo, even a spare toothbrush) keep guests from having to awkwardly ask. Make some space on the counter, empty out a shelf if you can, and hang an extra hook or two for towels. And if you really want to impress, pop in a candle or a small plant to make the space feel intentional instead of just shared.

Make storage work for you

One of the sneakiest challenges of hosting without a spare room is figuring out what to do with all the stuff. Guests show up with suitcases, coats, gifts, and somehow—mysteriously—three extra tote bags they swear they didn’t leave home with. If you’re not careful, your place can start to look like a baggage claim carousel.

A smart trick is to think “temporary storage.” A stylish basket by the sofa gives them a spot to stash shoes or chargers. A bench with hidden storage can double as both seating and a mini luggage drop-off. Even a simple folding luggage rack (the kind hotels use) instantly makes living out of a suitcase feel less chaotic. And if you’re short on floor space, don’t forget vertical solutions—wall hooks or over-the-door organizers keep things tidy without eating up square footage.

It’s not about offering endless closet space—it’s about giving guests a landing zone so their things don’t end up scattered across your living room like confetti.

Create a private guest bedroom with temporary walls

Sleeping on a sofa in the middle of the living room might be fine for one or two nights, but when it gets more than that, people start longing for a door they can close. That’s where temporary walls with doors come in to save the day. With a little rearranging, you can create a fully functional guest room in your living room, basement, or even a large bedroom.

Consider a temporary wall like this L-Shaped Partition Wall with Swing Door or this Mounted Straight Partition Wall with Swing Door. The beauty of this setup is how legit it feels. Unlike a folding screen or curtain, modular walls create the sense of a “real room.” Guests get the privacy they crave, you get to keep the rest of your home running smoothly, and nobody feels like they’re camping out in the middle of family life.

And the best part about these modular walls is that they’re like a renovation shortcut. They’re a 100% DIY so not only can you set them as and when you want to, you can do so without ever having to call in a contractor. These wall kits need no special expertise or tools—just the basic drill and screwdriver and a couple of regular humans are enough to set them up. And when the visit’s over? You just take them down. No permanent changes, no commitment—just a flexible solution that makes hosting easier without any of that landlord drama.

Keep the coffee flowing (and snacks too)

There’s something oddly comforting about knowing you can grab a snack without permission, and your guests will love you for making it easy. Forget the elaborate coffee bar setups you see on Pinterest; what really matters is access.

Keep the coffee pot simple and obvious, and if your machine looks like it requires a training video, leave a note or quick instructions so no one has to play “Guess the Buttons” at 7 a.m. Pair it with a few basics—sugar, cream, tea bags—and you’ve covered your bases. And don’t stop at caffeine—stock a few easy snacks. A bowl of fruit, crackers, or even leftover holiday cookies makes your home feel instantly more welcoming.

Home for the holidays (literally)

Hosting family and friends during the holidays doesn’t require a remodel or a spare wing—it just takes a little flexibility. Whether it’s upgrading the couch, carving out private zones with dividers, or pulling off the ultimate trick with a temporary wall, you can make your guests feel at home without losing your own sanity. In fact, these clever little hacks might just remind you that the best holiday moments aren’t about space at all—they’re about sharing it. 

Need to create extra space for your guest at home? We can help! Our DIY modular wall kits are just what you need to instantly carve out that much-needed space without calling in the contractor or burning through your savings. Reach out to us and our space design experts will help you pick what perfectly fits your space.