How to Make Corporate Housing Feel Like Home

Posted by Amitava Sarkar on May 28th, 2015

Remember the George Clooney movie, '''Up In the Air''? In it, his character Ryan Bingham traveled all over the country, priding himself on living out of his carry-on luggage. His actual home was more barren than your average hotel room. If you're like Ryan, bland extended-stays might not be a problem. However, for many people who travel long and often for business, the thought of another stay in soulless corporate housing is depressing. You're there long enough to find the best Chinese takeout and dry cleaners but not long enough to really feel at home - or are you? Reality is that you don't have to do any major redecorating to make a place feel like home. In fact, the very first day you arrive you can start making your temporary digs your own. It only takes a little planning ahead and the smallest amount of effort to transform a sterile, generic apartment suite into somewhere much more homey. In fact, with these tips it'll be no time at all before you're walking in the door happily announcing, ''Honey, I'm home!'' Read on to discover how to get started making corporate housing feel like home.

* Bring a few key personal items. Maybe you packed your favorite pair of slippers, but did you pack your favorite coffee mug? It only takes a few special items to make a place feel much more like home. Bring your favorite pillow from home for a more comfortable night's sleep, and bring a few framed photos of family and friends to brighten up the living room.

* Inhabit the place. If you're only spending a night or two somewhere, it's understandable if you don't unpack. However, if you're spending at least a week or more, you might as well unpack, put your things away and make yourself at home. If you don't, you'll never fully relax and the place will never feel homey.

* Get some fresh air. Buying a couple of green plants freshens up the air and brings some life into your temporary home. Just make sure the plants you buy are low-maintenance - unless, of course, taking care of them helps you unwind. Consider buying some herbs that can serve double duty as room decor and fresh flavoring for home cooked meals.

* Cook in the kitchen. Speaking of, there's nothing like buying some groceries and cooking a real meal in the kitchen to feel like you're at home. It can be tempting to go to a mega-mart and stock up on microwavable meals but don't make that your sole form of sustenance. Find a local market or, even better, a farmer's market and enjoy a fresh, farm-to-table meal. You don't have to be a gourmet chef. Even if cooking isn't really your thing, you can still make something simple like a salad and pasta.

* Use aromatherapy. Your sense of smell and emotions are closely linked. If you have a favorite room spray, candle or incense, bring it along to help your Suite Accommodations smell more like home. If you happen to be inclined to bake, there's nothing like the smell of fresh baked cookies to summon the feeling of home.

* Rearrange the furniture. You might not be allowed to paint the walls but you can rearrange the furniture. If you walk into your accommodations and the feng shui is all wrong, move things around until they feel right. Even just moving a writing desk over to a window can completely change the feel of a room.

About the Author: Thomas M. Bird is a frequent traveler and contributing writer who enjoys helping businesspeople feel more at home, wherever they may be.