Hey @Lizzie hope you are well! I host a private room in my home so this is a great thread to learn from and share to.
I'd say listing descriptions and informing guests about how your private room listing works is so important, as unlike guests who airbnb an entire space- private room spaces are so individual to each host!
Tip one- listing clarity
For me personally I rent my bedroom and then I sleep in my living room space (sounds strange but works perfectly well for me and my guests!) but I make sure all of this, including access my guests have to various parts of my flat and when they have access is totally clear to them so there are no surprises when they arrive!
Tip two- the welcome
When you rent an entire home you will automatically feel comfortable because you're in your own private space- with a private room you are sharing with your host, and this can be a challenge to some guests! I always welcome guests warmly- show them exactly how everything works, give them a proper tour of their room and everything in it as well as the shared spaces. I'll sit down with them with a tea or coffee and get to know them a little to help settle them in.
I always aim to get them to make their tea/coffee themselves when they arrive so they start to get comfortable with the kitchen and feel a bit more at home and like they are sharing my space as well as being a guest 🙂
Tip three- level of interaction
Again, if you're staying in a private room you will naturally have more face-time with your host, and it is important to gauge how much interaction your guests are happy with from the outset- I usually just ask when they are settling in, explaining when I am at home and when I am not, and how to contact me if I am not at home, and then ensure they know they can come and speak to me when I am at home if they need me or need anything, or even want to spend some time together.
Guests differ wildly- I have had guests on a 7 day stay who I literally only met once for about 2 minutes during the middle of their stay, and I have had guests who have wanted in-depth help planning their time in London, and speaking about London and UK life...striking the balance is important so guests feel comfortable! It's important not to take a lesser need for interaction as guests not liking you or your listing or not wanting your help.
Tip four- house rules
All hosts have house rules- but house rules, and ensuring guests understand them are important for private room hosts, as if rules are forgotten or broken we can get put out as we see and hear them being broken right before our eyes as we are sharing the same space!
I make my rules clear in my house manual and chat to guests about lights, windows, quiet time, coming home late/early and so on in person in a friendly way so they understand the expectations, and check that they understand and and are comfortable abiding by them- then if any rule is broken or bent then it's easier to address the issue.
Tip five- live your life as normally as you can
I think it is important to live life as you normally do as much as possible when you have guests- I will still invite my friends to dinner and drinks (guests are always welcome to join, and never any hard feelings if they decline), I watch tv and films as usual, guests can join if they wish. I go out and if I come home late I come home quietly.
I work out a bathroom routine with guests, especially if I have to be at work at a certain time, but otherwise I live my life as normal- perhaps I am more considerate when guests are home but I do the things I usually do, and I feel this stops me from potentially resenting guests if I did make a change to my usual habits.
Tip six- learn from your guests
I see every guest as a chance to learn something new and get to know a person I may not have otherwise met! Some have been really interesting, been from a walk of life I have never walked and have views and opinions I don't share- but I love meeting these people and sharing my space with them.
There really is not much more personal than opening your private home to an absolute stranger when you are living there too, but also there is nothing more rewarding!