Which room for Ukrainian guest(s)?

[Madmog]

DH and myself are seriously considering offering our home to a Ukrainian person/couple of people/mother and child - been a bit of a week so haven't had head space to think it out. The issue is which room to offer.

Two options:

1. Good sized room on front of the house. Ideal for whoever as could have double bed and a conservatory settee we have, so we could offer two people a room and they'd have some seating which would be ideal for them.

Cons for me are the fact it's the sunniest room in house and if door is shut rest of house is fairly dark, also we can't use it for eating. Our dining room table would need to be moved into extension and we'd struggle to move past it, sit at it. Also, a couple of cabinets would have to stay in room (we'd remove personal photos/some ornaments, but books, plates would have to stay as we don't have a loft and DD is on a year abroad with uni so we have her boxes, bedding stored in every available space upstairs.

1. Small room for one. Currently used for study when DH works from home once a week. Desk/printer used to be in room above and can easily be moved back. We could only have one guest, and room would accommodate a single bed, very small small wardrobe, hopefully a small side table and small chair. Also built in cupboard with lots of shelves and storage. There's a cupboard just outside this room which guest could use for a coat/another couple of items hung up. Guest very welcome to sit with us in lounge or out extension at end of lounge if they'd rather be on their own more. They could have shared use of room above for entertaining other Ukrainians they meet, flat space to use laptops out, do research for jobs etc.

Both rooms have access to toilet and sink on that floor.

1. We do have DD's room which she's only likely to use for 2-4 weeks in the room, but neither of us want to offer it. She did it out during lockdown and we see it as her room even though she's not with us. Has single bed, good sized wardrobe, chest of drawers and lots of other storage - could fit a comfy chair in there. Noise carries easily upstairs, so our guest would disturb us if coming in late from work. This wouldn't be a problem with other two rooms.

We've had a friend and two students live with us over the years. A couple were easy to live with, one wasn't, so just trying to make it as right for everyone as we won't know until they're with us, how it'll work.

I think if you've only had one person at a time in your house before, stick to that and the small room. You then have the option to 'upgrade' their room if all goes really well. Whoever comes will need far more support than your previous guests - so try not to overstretch yourself on all fronts. It could be a long haul.

I would use the small room for them-it sounds great, you are offering quite a lot of space.

Number 2 option. This is the least disturbing for you.

Could a mother with baby use the small room?

Small room. That way the front downstairs room can stay a second living/dining space for you all, which is beneficial when there’s extra adults in house longer term.

Thanks everyone.

I think it'd be tight to have a mother and child to be honest.

The area we live in has a lot to offer and I think the experience DH has gained in his job would give us good guidance on how to cope with some issues that might crop up. Just need to be realistic especially if it's long term and there are likely to be issues/extra support required.

Would a cabin bed fit in the small room, so you could have a sofa/desk/mini fridge/chest of drawers/whatever underneath to make the most of the space. You could ask online for a second hand one, you may well have someone nice donate for free!

I'd go for the small room and say you could host either a single person or a mum with one child, because in that case could put bunk beds in.