This is how to effectively prepare your home for house guests

Preparing your home for visitors over the holidays or any other time of year can be done easily. It´s all in the details, I promise.
Photo: Pexels

I’ve learned in the past several years that having houseguests doesn’t have to be as stressful and overwhelming as most of us build it up to be.

Chances are if someone is staying overnight in your home, they love and appreciate you enough not to notice the small things that might go undone.

Even if you are welcoming in judgy relatives or relative strangers, there are a few things you can do to ensure that no one notices that you didn’t have time to scrub the baseboards or that your walls need repainting.

Here are some things that you can do to make your home ultra-comfortable and cozy for houseguests:

Preparing your home for visitors over the holidays or any other time of year can be done easily. It´s all in the details, I promise.
Photo: Pexels

Prioritize the bathrooms

If you don’t have time to deep clean any other room before your guests arrive, carve out some time to make sure your restrooms are pristine.

A bit of clutter in the dining room or a little dust on the bookshelf is a lot less pertinent than actual toilet grime.

A clean, neat bathroom that smells nice will instantly let your guests know that you respect them, value them and care about their comfort.

Preparing your home for visitors over the holidays or any other time of year can be done easily. It´s all in the details, I promise.
Photo: Unsplash

Use aromatherapy

You shouldn’t think that smelly candles or essential oils can be used to cover up the odors of outright filth.

However, once your home has been cleaned to your normal, everyday standards, a little smell-good can bring it all together.

A clean, fresh scent throughout can help your guests relax and settle in.

There’s honestly no need to make your home look like no one actually lives there — a neat appearance and pleasant scent can go a long way.

We love lavender and citrus scents.

Preparing your home for visitors over the holidays or any other time of year can be done easily. It´s all in the details, I promise.
Photo: Pexels

Stock the fridge

Even if you don’t typically eat much at home, head to the market for some delicious and easy-to-grab items for your guests to nosh on throughout their stay.

A well-stocked refrigerator and pantry lets your guests know that you’ve thought about them and spent some time anticipating their needs.

Plus, having enough food around is just practical.

Once you serve up an initial snack or meal, make sure your visitors know that they can help themselves to anything they need.

Bonus points if you have the time to bake up a batch of fresh muffins or homemade cookies.

Preparing your home for visitors over the holidays or any other time of year can be done easily. It´s all in the details, I promise.
Photo: Pexels

Make the bed inviting

Whether it’s a guest bedroom or the family couch, make sure that wherever your company will be sleeping is cozy and inviting.

Make the bed up with fresh blankets and pillows, make sure everything is recently laundered, get rid of any clutter and put away any overly personal items that might be lying around.

While it’s fine for the rest of your home to look like you live there, your guest’s sleeping space should be clean and clear.

If your company is sleeping in a shared living space, straighten up and clear out enough that they know they aren’t an imposition.

Preparing your home for visitors over the holidays or any other time of year can be done easily. It´s all in the details, I promise.
Photo: Pexels

Leave a welcome gift

A small gift like a bottle of wine, some locally made chocolates, a good book or stack of new magazines or even a cozy throw blanket or pretty coffee mug, will make your guest feel like you are truly happy to have them and you want them to enjoy their time in your home as much as possible.

Little thoughtful touches often matter much more than whether or not you dusted the picture frames or scrubbed the walls.

Preparing your home for visitors over the holidays or any other time of year can be done easily. It´s all in the details, I promise.
Shayne Rodriguez Thompson

Shayne is a freelance lifestyle writer with expertise in all things parenting, food and travel. She regularly contributes at MamasLatinas.com, CruiseCritic.com, independenttraveler.com and familyvacationcritic.com. Her career has allowed her to live out her passions while she raises her young family.

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