Reader’s Digest: What House Guests Notice and Don't
Maeve shares 11 top tips with Reader’s Digest on getting ready for house guests.
Do it: Wipe down the bathroom
“Houseguests are definitely going to notice bathrooms because they’re going to be using them,” says Maeve Richmond, founder and coach of organizing company Maeve’s Method. “It’s a good opportunity to look and see what the bathroom looks like, because that’s an area people take for granted. It’s hard to look at a bathroom with fresh eyes on a day-to-day basis.” Don’t go crazy, but absolutely make sure that the sink and toilet are clean, and that there’s toilet paper. #bathroom
Do it: Offer fresh bathroom towels
If you’re having overnight guests, make sure each person has at least one clean bath towel and washcloth.
Even if your guests aren’t staying the night, having people over can be a reminder to switch out your dirty hand towels, says Richmond. “We need triggers in life,” she says. “Tying the idea of new hand towels to guests is a good way to get a dirty job done that may be overlooked otherwise.”
Do it: Clear off the table
“So many people multiuse their table surfaces in life,” says Richmond. “The kitchen table is also used as a home office.” Instead of going through the time to look at every bill and paper—talk about overwhelming!—pick a spot in your home to be the temporary home for those sorts of files.
After guests are gone, put the papers back to their original spot so you don’t forget about the unfinished business, says Richmond. #kitchen
Do it: Clean out the fridge
You probably don’t think of the state of your fridge often, but visitors will peek in with a set of fresh eyes. To keep it looking fresh, take just five minutes to take out expired condiments and produce that’s past its prime, then quickly wipe down the shelves, says Richmond. “They’re things barely anyone thinks to do on a regular basis,” she says. “It’s a great incentive to clean up the other parts of the shelf.”
Do it: Change the bed sheets
“Houseguests definitely notice sheets,” says Richmond. “How could they not because they’ll be sleeping on this?”
Prepare the guest bed with fresh linens that are free of rips and stains. #bedroom
Skip it: Buying new linens
While you should always make sure the bedding is clean, don’t be embarrassed by the frumpy guest sheets your aunt gave you at your wedding. “In general, our stuff in our home tells a story of who we are,” says Richmond. “I enjoy seeing the sheets someone gives me because it gives me a sense of their life and home. It’s a cozy feeling to sleep on sheets you can tell someone has had for a while.”
Skip it: Putting books on the shelf
Leaving your current weekend read or your favorite magazines lying around can spark conversation, making a good icebreaker for guests. “Guests, believe it or not, like to step into a home and see things that are real,” says Richmond. “To take away magazines and piles of #books, you’re not representing who you are, and detracting from the experience of interacting with guests.”
Skip it: Dusting and vacuuming a clean home
If Sunday is your normal dusting day, don’t rush to get your chores done on Friday just because you have guests coming. As long as your home is generally clean, your guests probably won’t notice. But if you’re self-conscious about the state of your house, now is the time to put in some extra effort. “If you’re feeling uncertain or uncomfortable because you haven’t vacuumed or dusted in a while, do those because it will make you as a host feel more comfortable in your home when guests arrive,” says Richmond. “But you shouldn’t go crazy. They’re not there for the home—they’re there for you.”
Skip it: Making the mirror shine
Visitors likely won’t notice if your mirror is sparkling clean, so don’t stress if you don’t have time to wipe it down. That said, a sparkling mirror could give your home a subtle sense of cleanliness that makes a big impact. “If it’s clean, no one will know it’s been cleaned, but they will be gifted with a sense that the house is brighter, lighter, and cleaner,” says Richmond.
Skip it: Completing unfinished projects
Being aware of how visitors see your home can make you panic about the things in your home in need of revamping. But don’t worry about painting that wall or fixing that leaky faucet just because you’ll have people staying with you.
“The idea of having houseguests can trigger a lot of things for people,” says Richmond. “It’s great if the idea of having guests is motivating to finishing a project, but it doesn’t make sense in terms of a short-term houseguest.” Warn your guests of things like faulty doorknobs so they don’t think they broke something, but don’t stress about remodeling before they come.
Skip it: Buying new home goods
“Having people over is the number-one panic inducer for people when it comes to their homes,” says Richmond. But that doesn’t mean you need to rush out for a new shower curtain or dish container, she says. As long as the space is clean, it doesn’t need to be stylish.
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