There is nothing quite like the panicked feeling you get in your stomach when you realize guests are on their way and your home is in complete disarray.
Luckily, pro organizers, cleaners, and even hosting experts have all been there before – so they have a pretty good idea of how to get a home guest-ready in under one hour to make any visitor feel like you have everything under control, especially during the hectic holiday period.
Here are their top four speedy hosting tips to prepare for last-minute guests, and how you can fit everything in on a time crunch.
How to get a home guest-ready in under one hour
Preparing for guests in under an hour is a race against time, especially if your home is disorganized or you are getting a home guest-ready for the holiday season. So, on your marks, get set – go.
1. Focus on shared spaces
Unless your guest will be lying on your bed, there is no need to clean and organize your bedroom. Shut the door – out of sight, out of mind, after all.
Audra George, owner and pro-organizer at Pretty Neat: An Organization Solution in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma says, ‘Focus on the main spaces that guests will be in the most and make that your priority.
‘One of the best ways to make your home look nice and put together is clear countertops and tables. Once this is done, quickly wipe down all surfaces – this will make the areas look cleaner and will make a home feel welcoming.
‘Fold blankets and fluff pillows make your space look comfy and, if you have time, add finishing touches like lighting your best candle or putting out drinks and snacks.’
Availible in 11 fragrances, the P.F. Candle. Co. candles are made from 100% soy wax and natural oils, meaning they burn cleanly and don't irritate yours your your guests' airways
Finishing off your cleaning with a linen spray is a great way to top up your home fragrance as a quick finishing touch before guests arrive
An essential oil diffuser quickly scents a space without chemicals or live flames, making them perfect for homes with pets, or for hosting guests who may have asthma that is worsened by candles
2. Restock the bathroom
Bethany Skorik, etiquette expert and lifestyle coach at The Charming Diplomat says, ‘Attack the bathroom. In case of an emergency visit, this room can be cluttered but it should never be considered ‘dirty’. Cleaning a bathroom is a must.
‘Clean the toilet seat and bowl, wipe the floor around the toilet and sink, and clean the bathroom sink – think about anywhere a guest will touch.
‘Then, remove dirty clothes and towels (putting fresh ones out), empty the trash, and for a quick finishing touch, close the shower curtain or door to hide spots you won’t have time to clean.’
If you have time at the end of your pre-guest blitz, light a candle or turn on your best oil diffuser to make a bathroom smell like a luxury spa ready for guests to use.
Microfiber cloths keep cleaning simple. Use a different cloth for each key fixture to keep your bathroom sanitary and throw them in the laundry after use
The damp duster collects dust from pesky slippy surfaces in bathrooms, removing it rather than spreading it around to make cleaning hassle-free before guests arrive
Method's bathroom cleaner breaks down grease and grime without the strong smell of chemicals lingering afterward, perfect for when guests are around the corner
3. Use the basket trick for clutter
One trick both organizer Audra George and etiquette expert Bethany Skorik recommend is the basket trick to conceal clutter.
Audra suggests, ‘Try the basket trick. Grab a laundry basket and go around and grab anything that doesn't belong in the main spaces and place them in the basket. This can be placed in another room away from guests and dealt with later.’
Just remember to actually deal with this basket to use storage baskets properly and prevent it from collecting dust.
Pretty baskets can help to make a home look organized even when it isn't, concealing clutter in plain sight
4. Clear some space in your entryway
First impressions matter. No matter if the guest is your closest friend or a near acquaintance, it pays to have a well-organized entryway with space for guests to hang their things, reminds Mike Fretto, creative director of Neighbour. This allows guests to come in and put things down without having to ask where the best place is and you have to run around to find them a spot.
He suggests, ‘focus[ing] on the entryway. Especially in the winter when guests will come with coats and boots, a clean entryway will create a positive first impression and keep the mess from spilling out into other areas.’
There is more than just your home to consider when preparing for guests. One thing people who love hosting always have in their homes is a relaxed, laid-back attitude. Etiquette coach Bethany Skorik says, ‘Take a few minutes to prepare yourself. This can include brushing your hair and teeth, doing a five-minute makeup routine, or simply changing into a clean outfit.
‘People will remember the feeling they had when visiting you, over the state of your home. Never draw attention to things in your home like broken fixtures, dust, etc. The reality is that most people wouldn’t notice these things on their own!’
