My Summer Hosting Tips + Essentials
Summer is here and that usually means more visits from friends and family—whether it’s planned get-togethers or those fun, spontaneous drop-ins. To make sure everyone feels welcome and comfortable, it helps to have a few key items on hand. From refreshing drinks to extra sunscreen, having a little summer guest stash can make hosting way easier and a lot more fun. I like to keep things on hand and think of it as my “just in case” kit for fun: extra towels for impromptu pool dips, cold drinks that say “relax, you’re welcome here,” and a few handy comforts that make your space feel like a mini getaway (minus the overpriced minibar). Summer is definitely about easygoing vibes, and with a little prep, you can soak up the fun without breaking a sweat—unless you're actually sweating, in which case: offer your guests a fan and pour yourself your favorite cool drink!
Create a Cool & Cozy Sleep Space
When it comes to hosting guests in the summer, especially in this Florida heat, comfort is everything! One of the easiest ways to make your guests feel at home is by creating a guest room or space that feels calm, cool, and welcoming for them to be able to relax in. For the bedding, make sure you have swapped out any heavy comforters or flannel sheets for something more breathable, like cotton or linen. These will look a lot more fresh and light but also will help your guests stay cool during those warmer nights. I like to keep an extra lightweight throw in a basket at the end of the bed just in case someone is chilly with the air conditioner on. Speaking of air, if the room doesn’t have great circulation or tends to be on the warmer side, I always think it is a good idea to have a fan that is out and available to use whenever they need it. As an added bonus, it can double as white noise machine which is always nice.
Other little touches can go a long way too. I like to leave a small basket on the nightstand that has some essentials: think things like a water bottle, an extra phone charger, some tissues, and usually a sweet and/or salty snack. It really takes things up a notch without putting in a ton of effort. It is also important (in my opinion) to make sure the blinds or curtains block out the sun pretty well, especially if the sun rises on directly into the guest room window (ours does)! Having a solid guest room checklist, even if your guest space is a pullout couch or air mattress, will help you make sure that you aren’t forgetting anything important and you are covering all the bases.
Stock the Bathroom With Summer Extras
Let’s talk bathrooms—because nothing says “I was really thinking of you!” like a guest bathroom that’s actually stocked and summer-ready for anything that they might need. Even if your guests are just staying for a night or two, having a few bathroom essentials prepped for them can alleviate any of that “oh my gosh I forgot …*insert forgotten toiletry* and can make them feel more comfortable and thought of while they stay with you.
I like to start with the basics and then add in any extras I can think of from there. Having clean and fluffy towels (bonus points if they’re quick-drying), and washcloths ready and available for them. I like to have a small stack of these that are clearly visible so guests don’t feel weird about asking where things are or like they need to go through your cabinets to find a towel. Then come the extras that I like to add that really level things up. Since it’s summer, think beyond just shampoo and body wash. Set out some travel-size sunscreen, aloe vera gel, after-sun lotion, and maybe even a little bug spray if you’ll be spending anytime outdoors(especially here in Florida, holy mosquitos). These are the kinds of things people forget to pack and always appreciate having on hand!
If you have the space, a small basket or tray with mini toiletries—like toothpaste, a toothbrush, floss, lotion, and feminine products—is always a win. Every so often I will grab a few travel-sized items when I am at Target to make sure my stash is ready to go for the next guest that will be staying with us. I have a blog post all about My Hosting Essentials that you can read here if you want more details on that! These small additions make a big difference and take the guesswork out of your guests needing to ask for something. Plus, it makes your home feel a little more elevated for your guests to stay with you.
Keep Refreshments Easy & Fun
Food and drinks can really set the vibe when you're hosting guests in the summer. The key doing this is to make sure you are keeping it low-effort for yourself. You don’t need to whip up a five-course meal, but when people are over it is nice to have just having a few easy snacks and cool drink options available makes everyone feel right at home. When you are wanting to offer someone a drink, make sure you don’t ask, “do you want something to drink?”, instead give them the options that you have. Saying something like “do you want some water, lemonade or a Diet Coke?”. Giving them those options, they are much more likely to answer with what they want rather than feeling like a burden trying to decide what you have.
Start with drinks, because nothing beats a cold sip after coming in from the sun. If you know people are going to be visiting, you can leave sliced lemons in the fridge to easily add into their water or even tea if you are offering that. You can also go a step further and have ice cube trays on hand that you put fruit into. Think lemon slices, berries, cucumber or mint. This is completely unecessicary but is a cool added touch that makes you look put together if that is what you are going for! If you are hosting overnight guests and you want to go the extra mile, you can set up a little iced coffee or tea station with your guests' favorite options. Cold brew, flavored syrups, and a splash of oat milk? Yes, please. This is also helpful if they wake up much earlier, they are able to help themselves to coffee without having to figure out where everything is, if they are even comfortable doing that. If the occasion calls for a cocktail, have these mixers on hand so your guests can have exactly what they want!
On the other hand, I do think it is important to have snacks available to them that they feel comfortable reaching for. Make sure when your guest arrives you mention what is available for them to grab at any point. If your guests aren’t overnight guests, this is a little bit different but if they are overnight guests, this will be easier for them to get what they want when they want it. Think that are easy to have on hand are things like fruit, some granola bars, trail mix, popcorn or really anything else that is grab-and-go friendly. Having a little self-serve moment so your guests can help themselves whenever they need a pick-me-up also lets you relax a bit more and not feel so much like you need to be doing something the entire time.
If you are needing a little inspiration here are some ideas!
How to Build the Ultimate Summer Charcuterie Board
How to Make a Caramel Macchiato at Home Three Ways
Outdoor Comforts for Summer Fun
One of my favorite parts of having people over and hosting guests in the summer is getting to hang out outside, in the pool or under the fans on the patio. Whether you’ve got a backyard, balcony, or a cozy front porch, adding a few simple touches can make your outdoor space feel inviting for your guests (and yourself when they aren’t there). First things first: seating. You’ll want to make sure there are enough comfy spots for everyone to be able to sit and relax. Bringing out folding chairs, adding outdoor cushions to existing chairs, or even a hammock can turn any space into a chill zone. If you’re planning to be out after sunset, make sure to add some string lights or even lanterns instantly add that cozy, magical touch. I like these lanterns as well as these lanterns! The next and in my opinion most important step—bug control. Nothing kills the vibe faster than mosquitoes biting you. I like to keep a couple of citronella candles handy, and we also have table top tiki torches that we fill with to keep the bugs away. If you don’t have either of those things, make sure to have some bug spray available for guests to use!
Having a cooler that you can easily stock with cold drinks (sparkling water, lemonade, a few adult beverages, sodas) is another go-to that is nice to be able to bring out. It keeps everyone hydrated and saves you from running back and forth inside to the kitchen. A little added touch would be to have something for entertainment. That could be having some easy outdoor games like cornhole, or bringing out a deck of cards, even just a speaker to be able to listen to music in the background can really add to the outdoor vibe! The goal isn’t perfection—it’s comfort and ease. I feel like hosting guests in the summer should feel laid-back and fun, and I think having an outdoor space set up can help set that tone. With just a few little easy additions, your backyard or balcony can become everyone’s favorite summer hangout spot!
At the end of the day, it’s not about having a perfectly stocked house, in my opinion it’s all about making sure the people that are staying at your house feel relaxed and comfortable. I think that with just a few thoughtful touches, you can create a space that’s ready for summer hangouts, big or small. So, whether your guests are staying for an hour or the whole weekend, having a few thoughtful summer items on hand can turn you into the MVP of comfort and hospitality. It doesn’t take much—some chilled drinks, a comfy place to sit, and maybe a citronella candle or two to keep the uninvited mosquitoes from crashing the party. If you have any questions at all or anything to add you can comment below or send me an email at hello@emmatarynjones.com and I will get back to you as soon as I can! Happy Hosting!