Prioritized Spaces to Tidy Up Thoroughly Before Visitors Arrive
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We all strive to keep our homes spotless when guests arrive, motivating us to tackle projects we've been putting off. Be it a dinner party or extended stay visitors, you might decide it's time to repaint a room, declutter a closet, rearrange the living room, or deep clean the floors. Ambition can sometimes get the best of us, leading us to take on more than we can handle. Realistically, we're often pressed for time and must do the best we can. So, whether you have a week or just a couple of days, prioritize cleaning and organizing the most critical areas for your visitors.
Areas to Focus on Before Welcoming Guests
Foyer
When it comes to areas your guests will occupy the most during their stay, the foyer and/or mudroom may be neglected. However, these spaces should be your top priority as you prepare to host.
As Chris Willatt, the owner of Alpine Maids, a residential cleaning service, puts it, "The entrance your guests will use to enter your home is their first impression of your house." A dirty front door area filled with dirt, leaves, and spider webs suggests that the rest of the house is unclean. Willatt recommends sweeping the front door area, washing down the pathway leading to the entrance, and cleaning the door and windows.
Inside the foyer, Liora Seltzer, a professional organizer and founder of What U Keep, LLC., suggests decluttering or at least hiding the clutter if you're short on time. "Remove your coats to make room for your guests' coats," she says, "and clear off the console if you have one. This will create a welcoming atmosphere for your guests."
Pamela Wilkie, a professional organizer at Joyganize Organization, advises doing a "mental walk-through" of your guests' experience to prepare the foyer for them. "Consider where they'll enter and what they'll be carrying," she says. "Think about coats, suitcases, strollers, or kids' stuff, food or drink for a party, gifts, etc. Make sure there's a designated space for them to place these items as they enter."
Living Room
Guests are likely to spend the most time in the living room. "Remove any visible clutter like mail or toys, vacuum or sweep, and plump the cushions," says Galia Ivanova, owner of cleaning services company Cleaning Estimate. "A cozy, clean living room will make guests feel at ease immediately."
As guests will likely be lounging and relaxing in the living room, be prepared for them to notice any dirty or cluttered spots around the room. "If there are dusty shelves," says Rhonda Wilson, the quality lead cleaner at FreshSpace Cleaning, "they'll see them. A pile of mail? It's hard to miss." A bit of dusting, vacuuming, and decluttering goes a long way to avoid an awkward atmosphere.
Kitchen
Regardless of the length of your guests' stay, one thing is certain: They'll inevitably spend time in the kitchen.
"Give the kitchen a thorough cleaning before guests arrive so that food preparation and cooking take place in a sanitary environment," Wilkie suggests. "Clear the table and countertops as much as possible, creating space for guests to set down drinks and plates and any treats they may have brought. This is especially important if you have an open-concept kitchen that flows into the entertaining area."
And while you're cleaning the kitchen, don't forget about the interior of your refrigerator. "Guests will often need something from the fridge or try to put something away," Wilkie points out. "A fridge full of takeout containers, overflowing condiment shelves, spoiled vegetables, and spills on the lower shelves can appear cluttered and, worse, unsanitary."
A clean fridge is particularly important for overnight guests, as you'll want them to feel comfortable using it when necessary.
Trash Cans
Trash cans are a commonly overlooked item when tidying up, yet they're almost certain to be used by your guests at some point. So, make sure the trash is not only emptied before guests arrive, but also clean and fresh-smelling. "Smelly or dirty bins, especially in the kitchen and bathroom, can leave a negative impression," Ivanova says.
Guest Bedroom
If you're hosting overnight guests, ensure that the bedroom they'll be using is clean and prepared. Seltzer advises giving the room a trial run before your guests arrive.
"Utilize the guest room before visitors arrive," she proposes. "This way, you can discover what necessities are lacking, what needs to be replaced, and so on. Most guests won't feel comfortable bringing up these matters, so it's better to identify issues yourself." For an additional thoughtful touch, Seltzer recommends including a welcoming basket in the room containing essentials like extra toiletries, warm socks, and some treats. Don't forget to also include extra blankets and bedding, in case your guests get chilly at night.
Guest Restroom
Willatt puts it straightforwardly, "Nobody wants to use a dirty bathroom." Therefore, make sure to thoroughly clean the guest bathroom (or the bathroom your visitors will be using).
"I always ensure the toilet is spotless, the sink is cleaned, and a fresh hand towel is prepared," Ivanova mentions. "Also, ensure there's an ample supply of toilet paper within reach – it's a small detail that guests truly appreciate."
"Even though you might plan to have guests use one bathroom, assume someone might search for another if the guest bathroom is occupied," Wilkie explains. "For this reason, ensure all the bathrooms are clean and well-stocked."
Wilkie suggests that, even if you only intend for guests to use one bathroom, you should probably anticipate someone looking for another if the guest bathroom is occupied. "To be safe, make sure all the bathrooms are clean and well-stocked," she maintains.
Areas to Overlook Before Hosting Guests
If you're short on time before guests arrive (and have numerous errands outside the house), you can give yourself permission to leave certain areas of your home neglected.
In general, you can overlook cleaning any areas that won't be used or seen by your guests. Wilkie suggests any area in your house designed for work, chores, or storage – like the home office, laundry room, garage, attic, or an unfinished basement – can be left unswept. (However, if your guests will be staying for an extended period, you may want to prep the laundry room for them.)
Ivanova notes that any closets or cabinets guests don't need to access can also be left untouched. "Concentrate on what's visible," she advises.
Regarding the rooms that you don't plan for guests to use or see, feel free to simply close – or even lock – the doors, if you prefer. "Remember, there's no requirement for a full home tour after all," Lucy Milligan Wahl, owner of LMW Edits, a boutique professional organizing company based in San Francisco, points out.
Wilson also advises eliminating baseboard cleaning from your pre-hosting to-do list. "Unless they're visibly dirty or you're hosting guests who are obsessed with inspecting your baseboards, this is an effortless task to ignore," she suggests. "They're seldom dirty enough to demand constant attention. If they're not in poor condition, you can defer baseboard cleaning until you're conducting a full house deep clean later on."
Organizing the guest bedroom according to Liora Seltzer's suggestions, such as including a welcoming basket and extra bedding, can make visiting guests feel more comfortable. Cleaning RealSimple recommends prioritizing the cleaning and organizing of the most critical areas for visitors, even if time is limited.
