We are now officially into the holiday season, and for many that means welcoming family and other guests into their homes for meals and other celebrations. That also means you probably want to clean up and organize before your friends and family arrive. If you are limited on time, Martha Stewart has five key areas where you should focus your time and attention.
Coat Closet
Colder weather means guests will be wearing coats, gloves, hats, and other cold-weather gear, so you’ll want a space where they can stash these items. Organize your coat closet or entry way to include space for guests to hang up their outer wear. If the weather is expected to include rain or snow, you should also consider adding an area for wet garments, umbrellas, and boots.
Guest Bathroom
When you are hosting an event that lasts a while, be it a dinner or party, guests are going to need to use your bathroom at some point. Make sure it is organized and clean for them. This includes making sure you have all the supplies needed for guests – from towels to soap – and that they are tidy and organized for easy use.
Fridge, Pantry, and Cabinets
These may not be among the first areas you think about organizing ahead of guests arriving, but if you are hosting a meal, guests will see these spots. Whether it’s looking for something to drink, helping you with prep work, looking for a plate or glass or utensils, guests will likely be accessing your fridge, pantry, and cabinets at some point. Save yourself from feeling embarrassment or your guests having difficulty finding what they need by organizing them before your party begins.
Home Bar
If you will be offering beverages to your guests, you may want to use an existing home bar or set one up. Make sure they have all they need and can find it easily by organizing your bar space. Carefully think through what drinks you will be offering and what is needed for each, both in ingredients and things like glassware. Then be sure to fully stock the bar area and organize it in a way that makes sense for guests to easily get the drink of their choice.
Anywhere Guests Will Gather
From the moment they arrive and are waiting for the meal to start to the meal itself to the after-meal conversations, guests will seek out open areas to gather and hang out. It could be your living room or the kitchen and dining room. Think about where your guests are most likely to gather and focus your cleaning and organizing on these spaces. Remove items that may create visual clutter and reorganize spaces if needed to make them more friendly to guests.
Want to read Martha Stewart’s rundown of organizing these spaces? Click here for the full article.
Looking for your dream home? Liberty Homes has been building new homes in Utah for nearly 30 years. We take pride in our trade, crafting each home as if it were our own. Our quality, affordable homes are energy smart and thoughtfully personalized for your active Utah lifestyle. We currently have townhomes available in Salt Lake County, single-family homes in Heber City, and 55-plus single-family homes in West Jordan. Contact us today to find your dream home.
Want home decorating and maintenance tips, craft ideas, recipes, and more delivered right to your inbox?
Sign up for our monthly newsletter:
