With summer vacation in full swing, you’re likely prepping your house to accommodate guests who plan to visit. This could involve decluttering your guest room or simply getting out extra towels and toiletries to ensure your guests are comfortable.
“Think of the summer as an opportunity to reset those areas you’ve been putting off,” Marissa Lokietz, founder of Organized With Marissa, says. “It’s the perfect time to review what’s working and what’s not, even if it’s just small adjustments. Curating an inviting space will add so much warmth and value to your home.”
Another part of getting your home ready for all the festivities may also include throwing things out. That said, it can be hard to know where to start and what to even consider getting rid of. We spoke with professional organizers about how to best prep your home for summer guests—check out their tips below.One spot in your house that is often overlooked or can get cluttered very easily is your mudroom. Before you have extra people coming and going in your home (plus all their stuff), take a look in your mudroom and see what can be given away and what needs to be thrown out.
“Your coat closet can use a clean-out before hosting,” Trish Johnson, professional organizer and owner of This Organized Chaos, says. “Visitors should be able to hang their stuff easily. Replace plastic or wire hangers with sturdy wooden hangers that can support extra weight. The main goal is to create a welcoming, functional space where your guests can relax and enjoy themselves.”
“Your coat closet can use a clean-out before hosting,” Trish Johnson, professional organizer and owner of This Organized Chaos, says. “Visitors should be able to hang their stuff easily. Replace plastic or wire hangers with sturdy wooden hangers that can support extra weight. The main goal is to create a welcoming, functional space where your guests can relax and enjoy themselves.”
Your Mudroom
One spot in your house that is often overlooked or can get cluttered very easily is your mudroom. Before you have extra people coming and going in your home (plus all their stuff), take a look in your mudroom and see what can be given away and what needs to be thrown out.
“Your coat closet can use a clean-out before hosting,” Trish Johnson, professional organizer and owner of This Organized Chaos, says. “Visitors should be able to hang their stuff easily. Replace plastic or wire hangers with sturdy wooden hangers that can support extra weight. The main goal is to create a welcoming, functional space where your guests can relax and enjoy themselves.”
Empty or Unused Toiletries
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Having an organized bathroom is a thoughtful way to make guests feel relaxed and comfortable while they’re away from home. This may include getting rid of empty or unused toiletries, ensuring everything is in order, and making it easier for your guests to find everyday essentials, like extra toilet paper, face wash, or hand soap.
“Clear the bathroom countertops, drawers, and shower of any extraneous toiletries. Make sure that necessities such as the hair dryer and toothpaste are stocked, and leaving a nice bottle of body wash in the shower is a nice touch your guests will appreciate,” Johnson says.
Throw Pillows and Blankets
One thing you can do before your guests arrive is reevaluate the spaces in your house that they’ll likely occupy the most, including your living and family rooms. “Start by letting go of the things that make your space feel cluttered or dull, like that plant that’s seen better days or those extra throw pillows crowding the couch,” Lokietz says.
While throw pillows and blankets are nice to have on your couch for aesthetic and comfort reasons, they can almost seem uninviting for guests to sit down and get comfortable. If you have any lying around that you don’t use anymore, this is a great time to donate them to avoid your living spaces feeling cluttered and unwelcoming.
Guest Room Clutter
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Any clutter that takes away from the comfort in your guest room should be donated, thrown out, or stashed elsewhere. Your guests might not be aware of the trouble you went through to keep it tidy, but they will definitely notice if it looks like you didn’t bother to clean things up at all.
“If your guests have plans to stay, treat the guest room like a hotel, with calm decor and minimal clutter. If you need to store items, keep them tucked away in a small corner of the closet, leaving room for your guests to hang a few things or utilize a drawer,” Lokietz says. “When a space feels organized and intentional, guests immediately feel more welcomed and less like they’re intruding.”