Be a good host

Stranded with accommodation for sleep over guests. Invest in bunk beds (double-deckers) or space saving trundle beds installed with a drawer like bed beneath. The rollers or casters keep it at a comfortable level so that the edge does not tilt to the floor. When not used for sleeping, the lower bed can be used for general storage when the mattress is removed.

Kenya: It is always good to be prepared to host an extra person or two. This is especially so with children as they grow up and make new friends.

Children will, at one time or other, want to invite a friend or two for a sleep over or a bunch of cousins to spend the entire week.

If your house has a guest room then it is easy to host as you may already have an extra bed to put up your guests.

However, if you are tight on space then bunk beds, what we call double-deckers, are a good investment to solve your sleep accommodation dilemma, while allowing your child to spend the evening chatting and bonding with their friends in his/her room.

Trundle beds

Another good alternative is trundle beds. They are a versatile space saving concept that allow for an extra bed to be available when necessary.

The drawer like bed is installed beneath a single bed or bunk bed and will usually have rollers or casters to keep it at a comfortable level so that it does not tilt and slump to the floor.

When not used for sleeping, the lower bed can be used for general storage when the mattress is removed.

 Sofabeds

Tried and tested, sofabeds are a popular option for hosting.

Manufactured to serve a dual function, the sofa bed could be placed in the living room, bedroom or study and used as a seat during the day and rolled out to create a comfortable sleeping area when need be.

Sofa beds are usually sturdy and durable and will give you many years of service.

They come in versatile styles and designs making it easy to find one that blends in with your existing home décor.

 Mattresses

Then there is the good old method of using mattresses on the floor. It may be a put off for adults but children and teenagers will be delighted and consider it great fun to spend the night on the living room floor.

Put several mattresses alongside each other and cover each mattress with fitted sheets.

Buy comforters and extra duvets to keep the children warm or use sleeping bags to create a memorable camping effect.

The challenge with mattresses is that it becomes cumbersome to clear up every morning and then lay out again for night accommodation.

 Forgotten items

When hosting several friends, there is almost always that one friend who will forget to pack some crucial personal items.

Have a drawer where you keep extra toothbrushes, toothpaste and towels and an extra set of clothes, which you do not mind giving away.

Prepare for non-television activities such as book reading, puzzles and board games, and place them on shelves and in drawers ready for the children to use.

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