CEBU, Philippines — The floor. Make sure your floors are clean enough that your guests aren’t scared to walk around without shoes on. “There’s nothing worse than walking into the kitchen and feeling like you’re stepping on crumbs or something sticky,” says interior designer Laura Bonucchi.
The bathroom. “Houseguests are definitely going to notice bathrooms because they’re going to be using them,” says Maeve Richmond, founder and coach of her own organizing company. “The bathroom is an area [house residents] take for granted. It’s hard to look at a bathroom with fresh eyes on a day-to-day basis.” No need to go crazy, but absolutely make sure that the sink and toilet are clean, and that there’s toilet paper.
Fresh bathroom towels. If having overnight guests, make sure each person has at least one clean bath towel and washcloth. Women might want a separate one for their hair, so give extras, and let guests know where to put their dirty towels, says Bonucchi. Even if guests aren’t staying the night, having people over can be a reminder to switch out your dirty hand towels, says Richmond.
Dresser space. While you don’t have to clear out the guest room of every piece of clutter, you should make sure there’s enough space for your visitors to put their belongings. Provide hangers in the closet, and empty out a few drawers. “As long as the room is open enough to get around and not overly much clutter – you just want a basic, comfortable room with a bed and a place to put their things,” says Bonucchi. If you really want to go above and beyond, a fresh flower and a magazine are small, hospitable touches your guests are sure to notice, she says.
Clear table surface. “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, pick a spot in the 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.
Odors. “Pay attention to the things you’ve gone nose blind to because you’re used to living in the house,” says Bonucchi. Especially if you’ve got pets, you might not notice a distracting odor in your home. Spritz a bit of air freshener, or light a candle in the kitchen and bathroom.
Clean 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.”
Warm hospitality. Particularly if the guests have been traveling, they might be hungry or thirsty when they arrive, says Bonucchi. It’s good to offer them a drink or a snack once they’ve dropped off their belongings in their room.
Fresh bed sheets. “Houseguests definitely notice bed sheets,” says Richmond. “How could they not when they’ll be sleeping on it?” Prepare the guest bed with fresh linens that are free of rips and stains. (www.rd.com) - Marissa Laliberte