Life Hacks

Practical ways to set up your home, and yourself, so that dates (and guests generally) feel comfortable. Compiled from a popular forum thread and its comments.

Bedroom

Keep your place clean. It doesn't have to be spotless, but tidy goes a long way.
Invest in your bed. Good mattress, decent frame, quality sheets. You spend a third of your life there, and guests notice.
Plenty of pillows: at least four, a mix of firm and soft, with matching, fresh pillowcases.
Make your bed before going out. Small details add up.
Spare comfortable shorts or a T-shirt for a guest to sleep in.
Candles smell and look good (vanilla or sandalwood), but keep them away from the bed.
A dimmer switch gives you soft, adjustable lighting.

Bathroom

Have a few guest essentials on hand:

Spare new toothbrushes.
Wet wipes.
Contact lens solution and a case.
A hairdryer and a comb or brush.
Clean, soft towels, both bath towels and face cloths.
A gentle, unscented bar of soap.
Painkillers set out somewhere visible, handy for a morning-after headache.

Practicalities

Protection within easy reach (a bedside drawer), including a non-latex option in case of allergies. For going out, a slim card case fits a couple of condoms neatly in a jacket pocket.
Bottled water nearby.
Good music: a few well-curated playlists ready to go. Ad-free, so you're not interrupted by an advert.
Know a reliable taxi driver or two. Chatting with drivers can pay off.
Carry a lighter even if you don't smoke. Being asked for a light is an easy conversation starter.

Kitchen

A small bar: decent vodka, gin, whiskey, rum, tequila, vermouth, a red and a white wine, plus mixers (soda, tonic, cola, juices). Avoid the cheapest bottles.
Learn a few classic cocktails and keep a shaker.
Easy snacks for late nights: cheese and crackers, cereal bars, quick microwave options.

Car

Keep it clean.
A blanket and pillow can come in handy.
Some emergency cash in the glove box.
A "go bag" with a change of clothes and basic toiletries.
A spare phone battery or car charger.
A stain-remover pen.

Bedroom

Bathroom

Practicalities

Kitchen

Car

See also