Prep for Guests: 5 Essential Areas to Organize. Inviting guests into your home is a joyous occasion, and ensuring a warm and welcoming atmosphere is part of the preparation. While tidying up the entire house may feel overwhelming, focusing on key traffic areas can make a significant impact.
From the guest bathroom to the dining room and living room, there are also unexpected spaces that could benefit from some sprucing up. We consulted with entertaining and organizing experts to discover the areas they always prioritize when organizing before guests arrive.
The Coat Closet: Creating a Welcoming Space for Your Guests
Creating a warm and inviting atmosphere for your guests begins right at your front door, according to Kelly Snider, an author and expert in event planning.
Although it may seem insignificant, where you store your guests’ jackets and coats can make a big difference. Having a dedicated space with hangers not only shows that you were prepared for their arrival but also helps them feel immediately welcome.
To go the extra mile in reinforcing this sense of warmth, Snider suggests considering the expected weather and incorporating an area for damp garments, umbrellas, as well as boots, hats, and gloves.
By providing storage for these items, you demonstrate thoughtfulness and consideration for your guests’ comfort. Additionally, it is important to ensure that your coat closet is well-stocked.
Snider emphasizes the inconvenience of having to search your home for an extra hanger when you are already playing the role of the host.
By taking these simple steps to create a well-organized and fully equipped coat closet, you can make a positive first impression on your guests and ensure that their arrival is met with convenience and hospitality.
Your Guest Bathroom: Creating a Tidy and Welcoming Space
When you invite guests into your home, you want to ensure their comfort and make them feel welcome throughout their stay.
Considering the likelihood of their visits to the powder room, it is essential to have your guest bathroom organized and clean, according to Virginia Frischkorn, an event planner and the founder of Partytrick.
Frischkorn emphasizes the importance of tidiness in this space, as your guests are almost guaranteed to see it at some point during their visit.
She suggests tidying up and using a basket or cabinet to store loose odds and ends. It is also crucial to ensure that guest towels and linens are neatly folded and organized.
If your guest bathroom includes a shower, take the time to tidy up the bottles and shower accessories as well.
While this level of care may not be necessary for a quick visit from your best friend, it is highly recommended for planned events.
Frischkorn explains that the tidiness of your guest bathroom subtly sets the tone and shapes your guests’ impression of both you and your hosting style.
Organizing Your Fridge, Pantry, and Cabinets: Enhancing Hosting Efficiency
When hosting a brunch or any gathering, it’s important to not only plan the menu and go grocery shopping but also consider how you organize Your Fridge, pantry, and cabinets when unpacking.
Virginia Frischkorn, an event planner and the founder of Partytrick, advises giving these areas a once-over before your guests arrive, even if it’s something you might not typically think about. By doing so, you can avoid ingredient avalanches in your cabinets and unpleasant odors emanating from your fridge.
In addition to the practical reasons, there’s another benefit to keeping your cabinets streamlined.
Frischkorn points out that if you need to direct your guests to find something—for example, saying, “The Wine Glasses are in the cabinet next to the fridge”—you want to make it a smooth and easy process for them.
By taking the time to organize your fridge, pantry, and cabinets, you ensure that everything is easily accessible and well-maintained for your guests’ convenience.
This not only enhances the efficiency of your hosting but also creates a more pleasant experience for your loved ones as they navigate through your kitchen space.
Elevating Your Home Bar: Creating an Organized and Inviting Space
Once you’ve taken care of your guests’ outerwear, the next natural step is to offer them a refreshing drink, likely something alcoholic, according to Kelly Snider.
If you plan on directing your guests to your home bar instead of serving them a pre-prepared flute of Champagne, Snider advises taking a close look at the area.
While it’s important to stock your home bar with a suitable selection of glassware, alcohol, non-alcoholic options, mixers, and garnishes, it’s equally crucial to ensure that the surfaces, inner chambers, shelves, or cabinets are organized.
At the end of the night, a guest may search for a rocks glass, and you don’t want them to be greeted by a chaotic collection of paper drink coasters, mismatched glassware, or off-season party supplies. This becomes even more significant if you have a bar cart with exposed shelves, which leave little room for hiding clutter.
By organizing your home bar, you create an inviting space where guests can easily find what they need and enjoy their drink selection.
This attention to detail enhances the overall experience and demonstrates your thoughtfulness as a host. Whether it’s a dedicated bar area or a bar cart, a well-organized and visually appealing setup sets the stage for a memorable gathering and makes your guests feel welcomed and attended to.
Creating a Welcoming Gathering Space: Tidy Countertops for Engaging with Guests
When hosting gatherings, it’s common for guests to gravitate towards open living spaces in apartments and homes.
These areas often serve as a place where the chef and host can interact with guests while putting the finishing touches on dinner or refilling drinks. If you anticipate that your friends will keep you company in the kitchen, regardless of your attempts to direct them to the dining room, it’s essential to keep your countertops tidy, advises Chantelle Malarkey, a lifestyle expert.
Having tidy countertops in the kitchen allows for a more inviting and engaging atmosphere.
It ensures that there is ample space for food preparation and allows guests to comfortably interact with you while you attend to your hosting duties. By keeping your countertops organized and free from clutter, you create an environment that encourages socializing and provides a seamless flow between the cooking area and gathering space.
Consider clearing off unnecessary items, organizing utensils and tools, and creating designated spaces for ingredients or serving platters.
This not only enhances the visual appeal of your kitchen but also allows for more efficient and enjoyable interactions with your guests.
*The information is for reference only.
