Does your home have a leaky faucet that doesn’t bother you anymore? Have you gotten used to burned-out lightbulbs or dusty blinds? While you may look past these quirks, visitors to your home are likely to notice them right away.
If you regularly open your home to vacationing friends and family, it’s important to see your space from their perspective. They won’t want to worry about household chores, so help put their minds at ease and use the following guidelines to prepare your home for their stay.
Make sure you have enough room
If you live in a popular vacation destination like Florida, chances are your friends and family will want to come visit. If you plan to invite guests to stay with you, make sure you have a comfortable amount of space. Most homes for sale in Orlando, FL have more than two bedrooms, ensuring extra room for loved ones.
Take care of overdue, minor repairs
Anticipating visitors might give you the pressure you need to finally tackle those minor home repairs you’ve been avoiding, like caulking the tub or washing the second-story windows. While some family members may not mind the state of your home, other guests will notice carpet stains and broken fixtures right away. Pay attention to the message your home’s exterior sends as well—curb appeal isn’t just for home sellers. Mow the lawn, rake the leaves or trim unruly shrubs so your home says “welcome” the moment your guests park their vehicle.
Prepare a guest bedroom
Since your visitors are relying on you for a place to rest their heads, prioritize cleaning the guest bedroom. If it doesn’t get much use, start by dusting and vacuuming to avoid surprise cobwebs. The guest room offers more than just the bed, so aside from clean sheets and pillows, think about the amenities your guests would have if they were in a hotel. Offer plenty of outlets to charge phones and laptops, and be sure to free up closet and dresser space so your guests can unpack and unwind.
Stock the guest bathroom
As your friends and family unpack for their stay, the next room they’ll be heading to is the bathroom. If you have a guest bathroom you rarely use, check the water temperatures and pressures in the sink and shower. Ensure the drains aren’t clogged, and don’t forget to clean around the tub and toilet. If your guests won’t have their own bathrooms, be sure to clear off some counter space and place extra towels in your bathroom to make them feel at home.
Set a place at the table and stock up to serve guests
Having access to a kitchen is a major advantage to staying with friends and family, as opposed to in a hotel, while on vacation. If you haven’t cleaned out your fridge in a while, now’s your chance to ditch expired goods and forgotten leftovers. Stock the fridge and pantry with snacks so your guests know the kitchen is open to them. Finally, be sure to sync with your guests on their dining plans so you can prepare for meals together and apart.
While laundry, dishes and vacuuming might be the extent of your chores on an average week, take the time to extend your to-do list and create a welcoming space when preparing for visiting friends and family.
Guest post by Erin Holdgate
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