20 Things Every House Guest Will Notice in Your Home

And how to make yours perfect.

By Olivia Clarke April 12, 2021

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Now that vaccinations are well underway, it’s nice to think about opening our homes up to our friends and family once again. Seems like such a treat to have guests over! In a perfect world, we would have endless hours to clean our homes to perfection before anyone arrives. In the real world, we do not. You might be able to turn a blind eye to the clutter in your kitchen and the empty toilet paper rolls taking over your bathroom, but your guests will not. If you have visitors coming over in the near future or you’d like to be prepared for unexpected guests, here are five things that won’t go unnoticed to them.

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The Entryway

The entrance to your home is the first impression visitors get, so it pays off to make it a good one.

Create a spot for visitors to take their shoes off and put their bag down.
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The Welcome Mat

Shake out your door mat.
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A Clean Floor

Sweep the entryway.
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Simple Touches

Use fresh flowers or an indoor plant to freshen up the space.
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The Smell

You might not think your house has a smell, but it's the first thing visitors will notice — good or bad.

Open up doors and windows for some fresh air.
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A Signature Scent

It's always a nice idea to burn a scented candle or some essential oils to create a welcoming and relaxing scent that will appeal to all noses.
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Freshness

Boil a pot of water on the stove with some citrus peel.
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The Clutter

With life comes clutter. Now, we're not saying you need to go full Marie Kondo and get rid of every single item, but at least tidy up. If you don't have time to put everything back in its right place, the linen closet or laundry room are both fabulous hiding spots.

Put away kids toys in simple, stylish baskets.
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Stay Organized

Create a drawer or tray for bills, letters, and papers.
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Laundry

Put away the pile of laundry that is waiting to be folded.
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Keep Mingling Areas Clear

Clean up social spots such as the dining room table and kitchen.
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The Bathroom

If you only have time to clean one room in your home, make it the bathroom. A dirty bathroom is just downright gross, especially when it's not your own.

Wipe down the sink and vanity.
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The Toilet

Scrub the toilet.
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Shine Any Glass

Clean the mirror.
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Toilet Paper

Restock the supple and ensure there's extra.
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The Smell

Put out nice soap and a scented candle.
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Your Pets

Pet hair can be very unappealing to people, especially if they don't have pets of their own. If you have pets in the house, make a little extra effort to vacuum the carpet and remove hair from your couch and other soft furnishings.
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Toys

Put away your pet's toys.
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The Food Area

Clean up the area around their food and water bowl.
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The Litter Box

Change the cat litter.

This post originally appeared on our sister site Homes to Love.