How to freshen up and declutter your home for guests

The prospect of guests is great motivation to get your place in shape and declutter your home. Whether you have friends staying for just a couple of nights or family coming for an extended holiday, you probably want to zhoosh up key areas and add a few thoughtful touches. Here’s a checklist of ways to make guests feel comfortable and warmly welcomed:

• Give the whole house a tidy and declutter and consider hiring a deep cleaning machine to freshen up the couches and carpets.
• Update your guest room with some statement pieces like candles, lamps and a mirror.
• Think about adding heating or cooling devices to the spare room such as a heat pump and double-track curtains.
• Give the bathroom a deep clean and add fresh towels and amenities.
• Add a personal touch to make your home feel welcoming, like fresh flowers, a handwritten note, laundry facilities and breakfast provisions.

Declutter your home and clean

Look at your home with new eyes and assess which of its areas need attention. Consider hiring a Rug Doctor deep-cleaning machine from our Hire Shop to freshen up carpets and sofas, then blitz all outdoor entertaining areas, give the barbecue a once-over and clean all windows. Decluttering will also enhance your home’s appeal and add to the feeling of space.

Glow up the guest room

Spruce up the spare room and get creative with styling. Interior designer Kathrine McDonald says thoughtful decoration choices can ensure your room feels well prepared for guests. “The elements in the room need to be chosen, not collected,” she says. “Choose – or make – a few considered pieces such as a statement headboard or an amazing bedside table.”

Kathrine advises sticking to neutral colours and adding layers of texture. “Keep a quiet, calming interior colour palette so that guests can exhale and embrace a sense of relaxation when they arrive. I tend to lead with neutrals, such as warm white, muted sage, sand and taupe, and pair these with natural textures like linen and timber.”

For a quick guest room update, create a layer of luxury with a showstopping mirror and statement pendant lighting, or try your hand at a D.I.Y. canvas artwork. New bedside lamps can enhance the mood of the room – just make sure they provide sufficient light for reading.

Award-winning guest accommodation host Wendy Palmer says storage is an important element. “Wardrobes with plenty of matching wooden coat hangers are a must,” she says. “Plus, a chest of drawers lined beautifully with coloured paper that works tonally with the bedroom colours.”

Allow places for guests to store luggage, adds Kathrine. “Consider a bench at the end of the bed with hidden storage. Or you could use a console table on the side of the room, with an area to put a suitcase beneath.”

Keep it cool

A heat pump is a versatile option to allow guests to control their heating or cooling needs. Kathrine also recommends installing double-track curtains. “Sheer curtains installed on the track nearest to the interior of the room create privacy and filtered light during the day. The track closest to the window should have blackout curtains to block out light for tired guests.”

Beautify the bathroom

Devote time to a deep bathroom clean, ensuring the vanity is cleared of clutter. A nice touch is to add a tray where visitors can sit their toiletries bag, alongside a beautiful pump soap and scented candle. Restock essentials such as shower gel, shampoo, toilet paper and tissues, and ensure there’s a bin and hair dryer.

Consider adding a dome roof, like a SteinPod, to the shower, suggests Wendy Palmer (ask at the Special Orders Desk about organising installation, too‡). “Despite installing every ventilation option for our guests, we were constantly removing mould from the ceilings of the bathroom. Since installing the dome, we’ve had zero mould.”

Accessibility needs are also important, adds Kathrine. “If you’re renovating and likely to have older guests or guests with mobility issues, think about making the bathroom a wet room with a walk-in shower, handrails and night lights.” For non-slip mats, shower seats, grab rails and more, head in store or check out the Assisted Living range online.

Make entry easy

If you and your visitors will be in and out at different times, provide independent access and lockability. First impressions count and guests may be tired, so make entry simple, says Wendy, with a well-lit key safe. Another option for family and visitors is to have a keyless door lock system installed.

Add special touches

Evoke a holiday vibe by treating guests to little luxuries. Set up a tea, coffee and water station with gourmet biscuits and fruit so visitors can easily access light refreshments. Wendy connects guests with the natural environment by adding freshly foraged flowers to every room, including the bathroom. For an extra-special touch, she leaves local food and produce. “I include homemade walnut bread with the nuts from our own trees included and locally sourced full country breakfast provisions. Plus, a selection of freshly picked herbs and whatever produce is seasonally available from the edible garden.”

As well as creature comforts such as fluffy robes and scented candles, Wendy equips adventurous guests who are keen to explore their natural surroundings – for example by cycling – with practical items. “I make sure there’s a very good Bunnings tool bag with a puncture repair kit for guests!” she says.

Prep for laundry

If guests are staying for several days, there’s likely to be a few more loads of washing to do. Pop a laundry bag (a clean pillowcase is fine) or basket in the guestroom so they can separate clean and worn clothing. If you’re not going to be around, also check there’s enough washing powder or liquid and stain remover in the laundry.

Little extras

Provide visitors with important information about your home. ”My handwritten welcome note always has the wi-fi network and pass code and my phone number on it for queries. It also directs them to an info book,” says Wendy. “One life-changing idea was putting a pack of barbecue cleaning wipes with the barbecue. It avoids the need for bossy instructions telling people to clean it – guests do it automatically!”

Keep in mind…

• Never leave a lit candle unattended.
• Take care when selecting your plants, as some can be poisonous to children and pets.

Ready for fresher carpets and rugs?

Check out these tips for using a Rug Doctor carpet cleaner.

Photo credit: Cath Muscat.

*Some photographs feature products from suppliers other than Bunnings. Not all services are available in all stores; conditions apply. Some advertised services and products are not available at some Bunnings stores, but products can be ordered.