Making your list and checking it twice…gonna find out… how many guests you’re hosting for the holidays. Grandma and Grandpa get the guest room, cousins share the family room floor, and should you transform the home office into a guest room for your aunt and uncle? That doesn’t even being to account for the dinner guests who will arrive for the holiday.

When you’re hosting guests, do you ever find yourself a bit short on seating or sleeping arrangements? For those times when the home office needs to be converted into a guest room or the kitchen table needs to serve a banquet, one of the best places to go is straight to your local furniture thrift stores. With dining room sets, extra chairs, night stands and even new mattresses, you find a bunch of great deals!

Finding the room and the extra furniture for your holiday guests can seem daunting, but isn’t that part of all the fun of this time of year? Here are a few ideas about how to maximize your space as well as your furniture for hosting during the holidays:

Dining Room:

Extend Your Table

Sometimes you can’t just add another leaf to your table. But there are a few ways to extend your table space and add extra seating space. Put a few tables together. Borrow a portable table and add it to the end of your dining table to extend your holiday table. Throw on a few matching tablecloths and it will look like one long table.

Don’t have another table? Head down to the local furniture thrift store near you  and pick up a table for a fraction of the cost for a new one.

Multiple Tables      

If your dining space is too small to fit a long extended table, then add a few separate tables in your dining room, living room or family room areas. This will give guests a chance to talk in smaller groups, but all enjoy the amazing food together!

Create a New Dining Room

Okay, you don’t actually need to do a home remodel just for holiday dinner, but you may have space you haven’t considered. If you live in a mild climate, a large covered porch area can do the trick.

Another great space is the garage. Hang some dark material over your shelves and line up all your tables to make a large dining area for your whole group. A few decorations, white lights, and possibly a heater or two can turn your car space into a festive dining space!

Seating Arrangements:

Use benches

This is a great time to find that piano bench, or even picnic bench to take the place of a chair or two. If you have the time you can refinish them or even add a festive cover with material.

Folding chairs

These are easy to store and pull out at the last minute.

BYOC

Ask your guests to bring their own chair. Usually they don’t mind grabbing a folding chair, as long as you are providing the yummy spread!

Thrift Store Options

Get down to your local furniture thrift stores and if you see a good deal on chairs, buy them quickly!

Even if they don’t match, don’t fret! You can use matching pillow cases to drape over the back of the chairs to get a more uniform look.

Sleeping Arrangements: 

Air mattresses:

Pulling out the space saving air mattresses or fold up mattresses can be an easy way to create instant guest accommodations.

New Mattresses:

Sometimes it’s just a good idea to update the mattresses in your guest room. If you’re looking to save money on new mattresses, check out the Arc Store in Oroville. They sell new mattresses for a great deal.

Night stands:

Need that extra special piece for the guest room? Check your local second hand stores for vintage pieces or newer ones that are gently used.

Tip: Choose a drawer in the nightstand and add a label to it “For Our Guests.” This draw can be filled with all the items that tend to be forgotten when traveling: extra toothbrush and toothpaste, travel size toiletries, ear plugs, flashlight, and anything else that will make your guests feel cared for!

As the holidays are fast approaching take a bit of time to plan ahead and you can create a wonderful environment for your guests to enjoy. Remember to use your furniture resources such as friends and neighbors as well as your local furniture thrift stores if you don’t want to buy everything new.

And keep in mind when the holidays are over, you can always donate your extra furniture back to local second hand stores such as the Arc Stores in Butte County. Your donations are tax deductible and just in time for the end of the year.

Remember: don’t sweat it! The best holiday memories are those with full houses, lots of family and all the laughs!