How To Make Your Home Ready For Guests

Having guests over for an entire day or for a few days can be both exciting and stressful at the same time. 

There’s so much to prepare for and get the house ready before they arrive and this can be quite overwhelming.

However, it really doesn’t have to be. 

A simple trick is to break down everything that needs to be cleaned or organized into smaller tasks and then you can tackle everything. 

This could be making sure the kitchen, bathrooms, living room, and guest room are well cleaned and all essentials are stocked for your guests.

Below, I’ve put together an entire guide that will show you exactly what needs to be done and how to go about it.

These tips will help reduce the worries and make sure your home is presentable and ready for weekend guests, out-of-town guests, or even long-term guests.

Let’s get to it.

Tips For Making Home Ready For Guests

Create A Checklist

Having a good idea of exactly what needs to be done will cut down your workload and it will help get things done faster. 

Compile a list of all the rooms that need to be cleaned up or tidied and work on them one by one at a time. 

If you’re unsure of the general things that need to be done, you can always follow this checklist below:

Clean And Tidy Up

With your detailed and customized checklist on hand, it’s now time to get cleaning and prepping. Here is a list of the main areas you need to focus on when preparing for guests:

1. Wipe floors or do a light sweep

If the house hasn’t been wiped in a while, you might want to grab a mop and do a light wipe up through the house otherwise simply sweeping the floors will be good enough.

However, be sure to focus on cleaning the actual room where the guests will be staying.

2. Clean the bathroom

The next place that has to be spotless in the bathroom and preferably the guest bathroom. You’ll want to make sure the sink, toilet, shower, and drains are spotless and ready for your guests.

It may take some additional effort but making the faucets and bathroom mirror shine will make the bathroom appear better.

A clean bedroom and bathroom are a top priority when it comes to having guests stay over.

See also: How To Decorate Bathroom Countertop: 8 Best Tips

3. Clean the kitchen and appliances

The kitchen doesn’t have to be completely clean or organized but it should at least look presentable.

Simply clean and wipe the counter, appliances, sink and drain, and pack any dishes or food packets where they belong.

Try to clear the breakfast table or the kitchen counter so that it looks cleaner and more organized.

4. Clean the living room

If this is the area where you’ll be entertaining the guest, do your best to keep this room clean.

Pack away any toys if you have kids, fluff the pillows, wipe the coffee table, and remove any clutter from the room. 

Doing this is one step closer to making a home ready for guests.

See also: Why Does My Living Room look Cluttered? (Solved)

5. Tidy up the front porch

The front porch is usually the first place guests will see so make a good impression by tidying up the front porch.

A good sweep and removing any dirt will definitely help the overall appearance of the front porch. 

6. Neaten the entryway

Second to that is the entryway and a messy entryway is the last thing you’d want your guests to see the minute they enter the doors.

Do a light clean-up and remove any extra shoes or items that could be making the entryway cluttered.

Also, have an agreement with the rest of the family to keep this area clean in the meantime before the guests arrive.

7. Set the dining room table

If you plan to have a dinner party with the guests, set the dining room table ahead of time.

This way, you’ll have more time to focus on having fun with the guests rather than being busy trying to make everything look good for everyone.

8. Restock the fridge and breakfast nook

Another thing that may be greatly appreciated is having a well-stocked fridge and breakfast nook. Include some of the food and drinks your guests will enjoy when restocking. 

9. Remove any trash from the house 

The last thing to do is to remove any dirt that has been piling up. This could be emptying out all the bins from the bathrooms, bedrooms, and kitchen. 

How To Prepare The Guest Room

Now it’s time to focus on the actual guest room and here are a few things you’ll want to pour most of your attention on:

Step 1: Stock Toiletries

It’s always great when you put the effort into the small details and having everything there for your guests will be greatly appreciated. 

Especially, if they may have forgotten to carry a few essentials of their own. 

Stock all the toiletries they may need in the bathroom like extra toilet paper, soap, a new sponge, a small bottle of shampoo and conditioner, a new pack of toothbrushes, and toothpaste.

Also, try to include a wastebasket in case they need one.

Step 2: Put a new set of fresh sheets and duvet

If the guest room hasn’t been used in a while, consider changing out the duvet to something newer and putting a set of fresh sheets on the bed. Smooth out any creases and make sure everything looks good.

Step 3: Plump pillows

Next, plump up the pillows so that they look nice on the bed. A bed is usually the main feature of the room so try to make it look nice as best as you can. 

Step 4: Add extra blankets

Consider adding a few extra blankets to the cupboards in case your guests may need them. This way, they’ll feel more comfortable if they don’t have to ask for anything if it’s already all there.

Step 5: Open the windows to air the room

Bring in some fresh air into the room by drawing aside the curtains and opening the windows wide. Allow the room to air out so that by the time they arrive, the room will smell clean and fresh.

See also: How Do I Get Fresh Air In My Bedroom? (5 Ideas That Work)

Step 6: Vacuum the rugs and wipe the furniture

If you have any carpets or a large rug, do a quick vacuum to get rid of any dust or dirt.

Also, be sure to wipe down the furniture as well such as the desks, shelves, vanity, and any other surface that is prone to collecting dust.

Step 7: Add a few magazines or books to the nightstand

Place a few magazines or good novels on the nightstand in case your guests need some entertainment or are looking to unwind before bed.

If you can remember what your guests like and dislike, you can choose books according to the stuff they will find interesting.

Step 8: Place a bouquet of flowers

The final element the guest bedroom needs is a lovely bouquet of fresh flowers.

Place the flower vase on the nightstand or on a desk and this will instantly uplift and brighten the decor.

Once you have completed this step, the guest room is finally ready to receive its temporary visitors.

Step 9: Light scented candles to make the home smell good

A simple trick to make your home smell absolutely amazing for hours is to light scented candles.

You may light some in the living room and the guest room if you want it to smell more welcoming and create a good impression.

This will surely make your guests feel more comfortable and satisfied if your home smells good.

Other Questions you May Have

What Food To Prepare For Guests?

For guests that will be staying over, go for simple yet wholesome meals that won’t be difficult to prepare for nights you’ll be eating in. Most of the time, you just have to serve breakfast (eggs, sausages, toast, coffee, muffins, cereal) but for lunch and dinner, you can prepare easy dishes like sandwiches, lasagnas, curries, salads, lamb roast, or meatballs and for snacks, you could even prepare a special dip along with chips.

Related Post: Easy Meals For House Guests – 20 Menu Ideas

What To Put In A Guest Room Basket?

The best items to add to a guest room basket are a few snacks, coffee or tea bags, chocolates, and bottled water. Other useful items you can add are travel-sized toothpaste, a spare toothbrush, soap, tissues, and a small bottle of shampoo and conditioner. Having a basket filled with goodies will make the guests feel welcomed and loved. This will also show your generosity, kindness, and thoughtfulness.

How To Prepare Your Family For Guests?

If you need a room for the guests to use, then have the kids share a room instead. Also, let them know who is coming, how long they will be staying, and how you’d appreciate good behavior while the guests are here so they will be well prepared too. If need be, promise a tempting reward for their good efforts and this should motivate them to try their best.

How Do You Welcome Guests At Home?

There’s no exact rule or way you should welcome your guests as it’s best to go with the flow and what feels natural. However, here are a few pointers you can use to give you an idea:

• Greet them with a genuine smile and welcome them inside.
• Offer to take their luggage.
• Show them a tour of the house and the room they will be staying in.
• Bring some snacks and drinks to the living room.

Final Suggestion – Don’t Obsess Over The House 

The last yet most important tip I have to share on how to make a home ready for guests is to not stress yourself over the way the house is. 

If you’ve done your best to make it look clean and presentable, that’s definitely good enough! Pat yourself on the back.

The essential thing is that the house looks neat but creating an environment and atmosphere that feels good to be there is much better.

Making sure your guests feel at home and are having a great time is a top priority. Go with the flow, relax, and just have a good time.