5 High-Impact Ways to Prepare Your Home for Guests—No Deep Clean Required

Light a Candle or Two

If you only have time for one thing, Racquel Guyton, event planner and founder of St. Germain Creative, says it’s best to set the mood in every sense of the term. “Light the candles, preferably scented,” she says. “It instantly sets the tone and awakens the senses through sight and smell.”

Guyton says that people notice the smell of a space before they even register what it looks like. “There’s something about candlelight that makes a space feel warm, intentional, and welcoming,” she adds.

Guyton suggests placing a candle or diffuser near your entryway or wherever guests will gather. “Because scent is directly tied to memory and emotion, it can make guests feel comfortable before they’ve even taken their coats off.” Consider choosing a soft vanilla, clean linen, or earthy cedar scent to create a welcoming atmosphere.

Tidy Your Entryway

For Allison Flanders, professional organizer and founder of ORG NYC, the front entryway is the single most important space to tackle pre-guests.

“It’s small but mighty, and the first thing guests see,” she says. “That space dictates how the rest of your home feels.” And a cluttered doorway sets the wrong tone, whereas a clean and organized entry signals calm and order, she explains.

Flanders recommends clearing shoes and bags off the floor, wiping down your key drop or console table, and hanging coats neatly on hooks. “Guests might not notice your perfectly folded sweaters or labeled pantry bins,” she adds, “but they’ll definitely notice if they walk into a cluttered doorway.”

Clear Off Your Counters

To no one’s surprise, the kitchen tends to be the heartbeat of any gathering, which is why Courtney Cummings, professional organizer and owner of The Stylish Organizer, says it needs some attention before guests arrive.

“Most people will congregate in the kitchen,” she explains, “so take a few minutes to clear your counters. Remove any unnecessary items to make room for snacks, apps, and drinks.”

It’s not about perfection, but about creating a sense of calm. “Trust me, no one cares how clean or tidy your garage is, but they will notice your kitchen,” she says. A simple 10-minute reset (like putting away your mail, wiping down surfaces, and setting out trays of food) can make the heart of your home ready for hosting.

Do a 15-Minute Vacuum

When Rhonda Wilson, lead cleaner at FreshSpace Cleaning, walks into someone’s home, she says that one thing always stands out: the floors. “Do a quick vacuum of the entire house,” she advises. “The floors are such a big surface area that once they’re clean, everything else just feels lighter and fresher.”

Even if you don’t have time to scrub or dust, a vacuumed floor instantly elevates the entire space. Plus, Wilson says that visible vacuum lines are an instant signal that you’ve made an effort. “It gives the impression that you prepped the place for their visit,” she explains.

Empty the Trash Kitchen

Finally, Shari Cedar, CEO and co-owner of commercial cleaning company, AK Building Services, reminds us not to overlook one of the simplest tasks pre-guests: emptying the kitchen trash. “It’s a simple but powerful go-to,” she says. “While getting ready for company, we often become unaware of smells that may have accumulated.”

Take a moment to remove any lingering odors to ensure your home feels fresh and welcoming for guests' arrival. Cedar recommends adding a fresh bag and giving the bin a quick wipe if needed. “Odors are one of those invisible things guests will notice before anything else,” she says.