...because it is this Ikea loveseat which cannot even fit me (if you know me, you know I'm not the tallest person in the world). We've had guests tell us stories of the places they've slept in (and we've seen some photos too) and our couch may seem cozy in comparison but again, that is not where our surfers sleep.

About a week before our first guests Miriam and Tamar arrived, we went to a camping supplies store and bought an air mattress which has proven to be an excellent investment. And the extra small room in our apartment in Skopje (which, at the time we were first moving in, we were wondering what we'll use for) came in handy. We kind of approached this as if we were the ones who would be surfing our home and even though a lot of couchsurfers have had all kinds of experiences (some even with sleeping in garages) we know we'd appreciate some privacy and so we were set on offering the same to our guests as well...

You don't have to do this, of course. A couch will suffice and sometimes the only thing tired travelers need is some floor space where they can set up their sleeping bag. But, we're not that hardcore ourselves (or we're just getting old) and our hospitality style may be a bit more generous than usual. In any case, it definitely is very important to make it clear where your guests will be sleeping. Us, we'd only consider staying in places where the sleeping situation was well defined up front. And a photo always helps.

The one (excelent) surfing experience we've had so far (with Andre and Susana in Barcelona) was also a very similar sleeping arrangement - a separate room with a double bed, pillows, sheets, blankets...the works (and it came with cats included, which is always a bonus in our world:))

I'm writing this because the subject of where and how we accommodate the people that stay with us is often raised by those still curious about the concept. But keep in mind one thing: the couchsurfers are generally a very greatful bunch and will appreciate whatever kind of hospitality comes their way. We are not a hotel so we don't act like hotelowners; after all, the sleeping is more often than not just an auxiliary function of the hosting/surfing experience - it's how you spend your waking time with your guests/hosts that counts in the end.

What is your traveling style? Do you think the benefits of couchsurfing justify lowering your sleeping comfort criteria? What's the minimum acceptable sleeping arrangement you would settle with when you surf other people's homes?  Let's hear it in the comments.

~Elena