organise your home for holiday guests. styled bedroom

When you organise your home for holiday guests, think of it as giving your space a fresh start before the fun begins. With a little bit of prep, you can turn your home into a warm and welcoming oasis.

How to organise your home for holiday guests.

Hosting guests over the holidays can feel a little chaotic, but there’s no need to stress. This guide breaks it down into practical steps so you can organise your home for holiday guests without losing your mind. From decluttering to adding thoughtful little touches, here’s how to get your home guest-ready in no time at all.

Declutter, clean and let the festivities begin!

Start by decluttering areas your guests will use, like the entryway, guest bedroom, and common spaces. Nobody wants to trip over last week’s laundry pile or sift through your mail mountain to find the WiFi password!

A quick tidy and clean can work wonders. Bonus points if you tackle outdoor areas too—pressure-wash the patio, fluff those outdoor cushions, and make the garden shine. Your guests will feel like they’ve stepped into a holiday retreat.

Guest Bedroom: Empty drawers, clean out the closet, and create space for luggage. Guests don’t want to live out of a suitcase!
Common Areas: Clear the kitchen counters, tidy the entryway, and make sure there’s a landing zone for keys, shoes, and bags.
Outdoor Spaces: Give outdoor entertaining areas a pressure-wash, tidy up the garden, and wash chair cushion covers.
Pool Areas: Make sure pool floats are clean and inflated, have suncream and towels handy and most importantly, ensure safety signs are visible.

Pro Tip: Guests will appreciate a fresh scent! Light a candle, use a room spray, or add a lovely diffuser for a welcoming vibe.

Style the guest bedroom like a boutique hotel.

Styling a guest bedroom is a chance to get creative when you organise your home for holiday guests. Freshly washed linens are a non-negotiable, but it’s the little extras that make the space special. Add a vase of fresh garden foliage for a personal touch, or pop a wrapped chocolate on the pillow for those 5-star vibes.

Don’t forget the practical stuff: a bedside lamp, access to a power point, and space for luggage are must-haves. If it’s a chilly winter stay, stack a few cosy blankets; for summer, consider a portable fan. Your guests will sleep soundly knowing you’ve thought of every detail.

How to set up a welcoming guest bedroom.

Treat the guest room like a mini home-away-from-home. A little thought goes a long way! Styling a guest bedroom is an essential part of how you organise your home for holiday guests, ensuring they feel comfortable and welcomed during their stay.

The Essentials.

Freshly washed linens (yes, mattress protectors and pillows too!)
Warm blankets for winter or a portable fan for summer.
Tissues, waste bin, coathangers and access to a power outlet.
A chair for extra seating or a resting place for handbags, books and devices.
Empty drawers, hanging space and a place to stow bags.

Extra Touches.

Add fresh foliage from the garden in a vase for an easy, inexpensive touch.
Place wrapped chocolates on the pillow—instant 5-star vibes.
Include some notepaper, a pen, a drinking glass and a bedside lamp.

Make it thoughtful: For a truly welcoming vibe, sprinkle thoughtful touches throughout your home—a festive scent from a candle or diffuser, a printed card with the WiFi password, or leave a book on the bedside table that matches your guest’s interests for late-night reading. These little gestures not only show off your hosting skills but also make your home a cosy holiday haven.

Don’t forget these areas when you organise your home for holiday guests.

The bathroom and kitchen are your secret weapons when you organise your home for holiday guests. A bathroom stocked with fresh towels, a full soap pump, and even spare toothbrushes says, “I’ve got you covered.” In the kitchen, a DIY coffee and snack station lets guests help themselves without awkwardly rummaging through cupboards.

Create special touches in the bathroom.

Let’s face it—bathrooms get a lot of use when guests are around. Make sure yours is clean, functional, and just a little fancy. Thoughtful extra touches can make all the difference when you organise your home for holiday guests, helping them feel truly at home and showing how much you value their comfort.

Deep clean and stock up.

Clear vanity clutter and deep clean the entire space.
Refill essentials: shampoo, soap, toilet paper, tissues, and a fresh hand soap pump.
Add spare toothbrushes, toothpaste, bandaids, and Panadol—forgotten items always pop up!

The nice touches.

A scented candle for ambience.
Fresh, fluffy towels and a personal hand towel.
A small tray for toiletries or makeup bags.

Pro Tip: If towel space is limited, add a drying rack in the guest room or consider installing some extra hanging hooks in the bathroom. Ensure your guests aren’t left dealing with soggy towels.

Arrange the laundry for ease of use.

If your guests are staying a few days, laundry is inevitable. Make it easy for them (and you) to keep things under control. Having your laundry organised for guests is crucial when you organise your home for holiday guests, as it makes it easy for them to freshen up and manage their essentials during their stay.

Clear and Clean:

Wash and prep spare bed linens, cushions, and towels ahead of time.
Clear the benches. Remove any clutter.
Restock laundry supplies: Refill detergent bottles, stain remover, and replace broken or rusty pegs.
Make sure washing baskets are accessible.
Print simple instructions on how to use the washing machine and dryer (e.g. detergent amounts, quick cycles, safety lock delays).

Bonus Tip: Place a clothes rack and coat hangers for drying clothes in the laundry or close by. Guests will appreciate the effort!

Style and clean outdoor entertaining areas.

Outdoor areas are often the star of holiday entertaining, so give them some love. Add festive flair with outdoor fairy lights, comfy throws and cushions for chilly nights, or have a jug of iced water ready for warm summer days.

Create a festive vibe.

Hose the patio or deck. Consider using a pressure washer for a deeper clean.
Tidy up the garden around seating areas. Remove weeds and dead plants. Add some fresh mulch.
Wash outdoor furniture, and pop chair cushion covers in the wash to remove stains and freshen them up.
Create zones for dining, relaxing or sharing conversations. Add fairy lights, lanterns and music to enhance the atmosphere.

Plan thoughtful little extras to welcome guests.

It’s the little touches that make a house feel like a home. Adding special touches when you organise your home for holiday guests creates a hotel-like retreat that ensures guests feel pampered and cared for.

Tea and Coffee Station: Set up a self-serve tea, coffee, and snack area. Include biscuits, fruit, and a water jug in the fridge.
Welcome Notes: Print instructions for TV remotes, appliances, and even garbage bin days if you’ll be away while your guests are staying.
Spare Keys: Provide a house key, garage remote or use a key drop box with a code for independent access.
A small welcome gift: Add a thoughtful and personal touch to your guest’s stay. Slippers, chocolates, a special keepsake or a book picked up second-hand that suits your guest’s interests.

Pet Owners: Leave notes about which doors or gates need to stay closed and any other furry friend rules your guests should be aware of.

Hosting guests doesn’t have to be stressful. With a bit of organisation and these easy, practical tips, your home will be ready for holiday visitors in no time. Happy hosting!