This Organizing Trick Is the Quickest Way to Get Your Home Ready for Guests

This Organizing Trick Is the Quickest Way to Get Your Home Ready for Guests
A clean counter top will make your kitchen look more put-together—and give you extra space for meal prep or drink mixing. Switlana Sonyashna/Shutterstock
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Once you’ve lived in your home for a while, you start to not really see it anymore. The art on your walls, the pillows on your couch, and the clutter on your countertop become such fixtures in your space that you simply stop noticing them. But when guests come over, they’re sure to see it all.

Before you entertain even a small group, getting your home party-ready can be as easy as getting rid of the eyesores in each room that you simply no longer see. We’re looking at you, litter box in the living room. And you, paper pile up in the kitchen. You don’t necessarily need to get rid of these items altogether, but relocating them during the party is the quickest, easiest way to make your space look put together. And you didn’t even need to buy anything new.

Below, we’ll walk you through each room, gently pointing out items you may want to hide out of sight. Where should you put them? A private bedroom, spare closet, or under the bed all work well as temporary storage spots.

Kitchen

The paper pile: First of all, check out your countertops. If there are piles of collected mail, catalogs, and bills, it’s time to move them. If you have time, sort through it all now, but if not, simply relocating it all to a storage box or home office during the party will work. Just remember to go back to the papers once the party’s over.

Small appliances: Next, look at the small appliances on your counter. You may be used to having that blender out, but do you really need it during the party? If not, relocate it to a cabinet or the pantry. You’ll appreciate all of the extra counter space you’ve now freed up for meal prep or drink mixing.

Katie Holdefehr, RealSimple.com
Katie Holdefehr, RealSimple.com
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Real Simple magazine provides smart, realistic solutions to everyday challenges. Online at RealSimple.com. Copyright 2024 Dotdash Meredith. All rights reserved. Used with permission. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
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