How to share your space with an Airbnb guest (without making it awkward)

Our guide to being the picture perfect host when you're offering shared accommodation.

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Stephanie Yip

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Spare room in the house? Looking to make a couple of extra bucks? Airbnb has the answer. It's a home sharing site that lets you "rent" your spare room to visitors as an alternative to hotels.

But sharing a space with a stranger can feel awkward, particularly if you're a guest and want to feel like you're on holiday and not crashing on a mate's house.

To put your potential guests at ease, here are some key ways to being the ideal Airbnb host while still living in your own space.

Picture not described: airbnb-sharing-space-1.jpg Image: Getty

1. Make it feel as though they're alone

Outside of greeting them at the door, handing them the keys and giving them a tour of their Airbnb, unless the guest openly asks for your company, it's likely they'll want to keep to themselves.

If it's possible, section your place so guests can come and go without having to pass you in common spaces such as the living room and kitchen. Otherwise, minimise your movement around common areas. This way they'll feel like they've nabbed themselves the entire apartment/house even though they haven't.

2. Give them their own spaces

Renting them a room to sleep in is a given but if you can, give them multiple rooms they can claim as their own. For example, if you have two bathrooms, make one theirs.

The same goes for a living room and kitchen if you have multiple or can sacrifice using them while you're hosting an Airbnb guest.

3. Remove any personal items from their rooms

Take down photos, knick-knacks and overly decorative items. Basically, anything too personal should be kept in your own quarters.

Also, try and Marie Kondo the rooms they'll be using. Travellers often come with bags, clothes and laptops, and having ample space to organise themselves is a bonus without feeling like they're imposing on your space or rearranging your stuff.

Picture not described: airbnb-sharing-space-2.jpg Image: Getty

4. Make them feel welcome

It's nice to feel as though you're a guest in your home and not an inconvenience, and a good way to express this is by providing them with everything a hotel would.

This includes a towel, bathroom amenities kit, breakfast items and some handy kitchen essentials in case they'd like to cook.

Just don't offer the turndown service as that could be seen as an invasion of privacy.

Picture not described: airbnb-sharing-space-3.jpg Image: Getty

5. Don't invite friends over while they're around

It's one thing to know they're sharing a home with you, it's a whole other thing to know that added strangers will be coming in and out of the property.

So raincheck anyone who's due for a catch-up at yours or ask to meet at their place instead and keep your guests happy and comfortable.

6. Lastly, be available

Don't be a complete stranger. Leave your number around in case your guests have questions or concerns and respond in a timely fashion.

Sign up with Airbnb and start hosting today

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Stephanie Yip was the travel editor at Finder and has been writing about travel and lifestyle for over a decade. She has written for a range of travel publications including Thomas Cook Magazine and Showpo. Stephanie has a Bachelor of Communications from the University of Technology Sydney, Australia, and has visited over 50 countries (and counting). She has a passion for sharing her experiences and knowledge of travel and helping consumers stretch their travel cash while on holiday. See full bio

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