Easy Ways to Make Your Home Guest-Ready

It probably happens more often than you want. A friend or family member gives you a quick call to say they’re dropping by for a visit soon. Perhaps a get-together has been planned for days, but you just haven’t had time to prepare your home for guests.

Now, you’re expecting guests to arrive in an hour or less, and your home is a mess. You don’t have to deal with the embarrassment of having a dirty, cluttered home when you have the right strategy. What are some easy ways to make your home guest-ready fast?

Why Being Guest-Ready Matters

A dirty, cluttered home is more than a source of embarrassment for you. It makes your home feel uninviting. Your guests might feel like an imposition. A dirty home also makes a statement about yourself. You give the impression of being lazy, even if your schedule is so busy that you never have a chance to sit down.

You might not be able to keep your home ready for unannounced guests who simply show up with no advance notice, but you can quickly prepare your home for guests in 20 minutes or less.

Few Simple Steps Can Make Your Home Feel Welcoming

In an ideal world, guests would give you a few days’ notice and you’d have hours of free time to prepare your home. In reality, you may need to take a few shortcuts to make your home look clean and inviting.

1. Start with a Quick Declutter

Let’s face it – decluttering your home can take days or even weeks in some cases. However, your guests won’t be looking in your sock drawer or searching for Tupperware in your chaotic cabinets.

A superficial decluttering will do the trick. Clear off counters and tables in the rooms your guests will most likely be. These areas might include the kitchen, living room and guest bathroom.

For any rooms that won’t be used, simply close the door. Don’t worry about organizing your items. Simply toss them in an empty laundry basket and hide the basket in a closet. You can worry about putting those items away after your guests leave.

2. Freshen Up the Air

You’re likely accustomed to the smell of your home, so you might not be aware of strong pet and food odors. Your home might even smell musty or stale. Eliminating odors takes more time than you might have available, but you can conceal the odors.

Open a few windows if the weather is nice, and light several scented candles. Air freshening spray also works well. If you’re dealing with kitchen odors, take out the trash. Toss a cut lemon into the garbage disposal to deal with strong odors.

3. Tidy the Bathroom

Even if your guests only plan to visit for an hour or less, you should expect them to use the bathroom. Start by cleaning the toilet. If your counter is covered with hygiene items, sweep these into a box or basket.

Use a wet cloth to wipe down the counter, sink, faucet handles, mirror and floor. Then, take out the trash and light a candle to complete the job.

4. Make the Living Area Cozy

A hallmark of an inviting home is a cozy living area. Even after the clutter is gone, the living room may be a mess. Take a moment to fluff the pillows and fold throws.

Place TV remotes neatly on a table or in a drawer. Swipe away the dust with a microfiber cloth. If time permits, it’s worthwhile to run a vacuum across the carpet and area rugs or sweep hard flooring.

5. Do a Quick Kitchen Sweep

You’ve already cleared clutter off the kitchen counters, but other steps may be required. If you don’t have time to do the dishes, simply stack the dirty dishes inside the dishwasher as-is.

You can come back later to rinse off the dishes and place them in the dishwasher properly. Wipe down the cabinets and sink with soapy water. Then, turn your attention to the floor. Sweep it thoroughly and use a damp cloth to spot clean problem areas.

6. Focus on Entryway Appeal

Your guests’ first impression of your home is established in the entryway. While it’s easy to neglect this area as you pass quickly in and out of your home, it requires attention.

Straighten shoes and jackets. Hang up the kids’ backpacks. Remove any extras that don’t belong here. Don’t worry about finding a place for them. Simply stash them in the garage or behind a bedroom door for now. Sweep away dust and debris carried in from the outdoors.

7. Add a Personal Touch

You may only have a few minutes left after straightening up your home, but you aren’t done yet. Turn on pleasing music and adjust the lighting so the ambiance is cozy and pleasant. Lay out a few snacks or treats on a plate. If you need to buy a few extra minutes, ask your guests to pick up a few drinks on their way to your house.

It’s easy to fall behind on your cleaning chores, but you don’t have to stress out when you learn that friends and family are arriving on your doorstep soon. Hiring a cleaning service ensures that your home is ready for guests. At Cleanzen, our home cleaning services thoroughly cover the obvious messes as well as the nooks and crannies that are easy to miss. To schedule a cleaning service for your home, contact Cleanzen today.