We have found widely varying approaches to closet space in a hosts house. In a number of exchanges, the host left absolutely no space whatsoever so that one had to live out of oneās suitcase.
When we have accommodated guests, we have gone to quite a lot of trouble to clear at least one cupboard and chest of drawers. Or even more if a long stay.
HE guidelines say some space should be made available but in our experience this is completely ignored by some (many?) hosts.
What is the general experience and/or expectation?
Closet space is one of the topics we discuss with our guests after an exchange is finalized. Most often guests tell us that they donāt need a drawer or closet. As you say, itās a lot of work to empty them so I am always a bit relieved to hear that I donāt have to do it.
We empty a portion of our closets, but as we live in an NYC apartment, thereās only so much excess space to store items! I expect this must be a common problem in certain locations. As another commenter shared, it might be a good question to ask during your correspondence before the trip.
The closets are very full at our house. For recent guests, we placed a small size portable rack for hanging clothes in our bedroom with hangers for them to use. We did clear some drawers for folded clothing. They didnāt mind a bit. Honestly, when we are guests otherās home, I feel a little bit weird hanging my clothes (sometimes with great difficulty) into the tight amount of space theyāve been able to clear in their closets. [quote=āSally-Tony, post:1, topic:1007, full:trueā]
We have found widely varying approaches to closet space in a hosts house. In a number of exchanges, the host left absolutely no space whatsoever so that one had to live out of oneās suitcase.
When we have accommodated guests, we have gone to quite a lot of trouble to clear at least one cupboard and chest of drawers. Or even more if a long stay.
HE guidelines say some space should be made available but in our experience this is completely ignored by some (many?) hosts.
What is the general experience and/or expectation?
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Hi there - Iām new here and wondered about this. Our closet is also our locked up storage room when we have guestsā¦ but we have shelves in our room and a wall mounted hanger rack (check it out on Amazonā¦itās called - Laundry Drying Rack Wall Mount Clothes Drying Rack Clothes Hanger) and it works great!
Living in a small, one-bedroom in Paris, we donāt have a lot of closet space to leave for our guests (I barely have enough closet space myself hahaha!) but I always try to clear out a couple of shelves and leave some empty hangers in the wardrobe for them to hang their clothes.
I guess it really depends on the size of the home and duration of the exchange but having some storage space is definitely so appreciated when we travel
Well, this is actually a good point I didnāt think to, until I read this thread. So thank you.
I just wrote a message to my next guest asking if they need some space in the closet. Our are very full, but I donāt really mind making some space in mine for them.
Personally I donāt really need closet space, as guest, I simply leave everything in my luggage and take it out when I need it.
What has worked well for us is to empty 2-3 drawers in each bedroom, put these clothes into large bags that we store in our bedroom closet, which has a lock on the door. We also leave a small portable hanging rack with hangers in the bedroom. The rack pops apart for easy storage under our bed, while not traveling.
With this topic i do the same as with almost everything: I discuss it with my guests. we do have a big room, but all the closets are pretty full. We have to put some of our own clothes into boxes/bags and behin curtains or seomthing like that to make space. We always ask if guests want that and we do it if they do, but indeed, it will not be an awful lot of space. I always tell hosts they donāt need to clear out any space for us as we live out of our bags and donāt mind that.
I am new here and this thread is amazingly useful !! We have been planning the closet space from the beginning. We have left one closet empty even when we live! Use it to hang some dailywear Jackets etc. Also one chest of drawers is also left empty. The idea of HE helped us a lot in minimizing our āstuffā !!
I think it depends on the length of the stay. In the guest room it is empty already most of closet and all drawers but in our room we leave a drawer and half closet. We also have suitcase racks we put out for short stays.
We always leave one or two large drawers empty. We keep an old big suitcase that we no longer use and store the drawer contents in that while away. We always make space in the bedroom closets and entry closet both for hanging clothes and for shoes. And we provide luggage racks. We have experienced some space left for us or none. It is not something that matters to us, but if it was, I would discuss with your exchange partner.
I think the compromise if you donāt have space, if possible is to pick up some of those over the door hooks that you can remove when not needed and leave a number of coat hangers. Ideally try to make a drawer or two free. But thatās not always possible for everyone. If itās important to you to have space the key is to have those conversations at the outset so you know what to expect.
I totally agree, I always have a large space for hanging clothes, 2-3 drawers and I have suitcase stands in each room for our guests. Makes it so much easier and nicer to settle in and not have to live out of a suitcaseā¦
