18 Ways To Make Your Home Look More Put-Together Before Guests Arrive
amazon.com
Promising review:"This is great! Fits vertically in my small entryway; just what I was looking for. If you want a modern, stylish, clean-looking shoe rack with a small footprint, this is the perfect selection! It's lightweight, but for storing five pairs of shoes, it's great! It fits men's size 10 shoes perfectly." — Aaron Staley
Get it from Amazon for $65 (available in black and white).
2. Dust strategically, prioritizing surfaces your guests are most likely to see. Unlike the disposable version you constantly need to restock, these reusable Swiffer duster heads will always be around when you need to give your place a quick sprucing.
TS Designs is a Michigan-based Etsy shop that specializes in home products and country, rustic, and vintage-styled gifts and decor.
Psst — the seller notes that this works best with Swiffers with the yellow handle, but also is compatible with the blue handle. You should avoid using fabric softener when washing this duster so it won't lose its static cling.
Promising review:"Great washable duster replacement tops. They vacuum off and wash up easily, and they grab dust and cobwebs every bit as well as the disposable ones I was using. Considering it means putting a bit less into landfills and also saving money in the long run, I only wish I had bought these years ago, sincerely. Also they shipped very promptly and arrived sooner than expected, so that was a pleasant surprise. Thanks!" — otherlings
Get it from TS Designs on Etsy for $4.99+ (available in 10 colors).
3. Address your TV if you'll be spending time in the living room. A screen cleaner kit will erase any trace of the smudges your toddler made trying to make contact with Ms. Rachel through the screen.
amazon.com
Screen Mom is a small business creating gentle, streak-free cleaning solutions for all your screens that are odorless and free of abrasive chemicals.
The set includes the spray and an extra-large, scratch-free microfiber cloth. The formula has no alcohol, ammonia, or harmful phosphates and will gently clean HDTVs, PC monitors, Kindles, tablets, laptops, smartphones, Apple Mac products, iPhones, and more!
Promising review:"This stuff is absolutely incredible. I've had my MacBook for a few months now and in the college environment of lugging it back and forth to class, eating around it and doing group projects it had turned into a grease machine. I had tried just about every version of microfiber cloth, the sprays that promise they don't streak, and just about every electronic wipe on the market. To no avail, I went to Amazon and with the glowing reviews, I couldn't say no to giving it a try. Got it today and I am just blown away. Never have I felt the need to write an Amazon review, but here I am because it's just. that. good. Attached are pictures for proof, it works people! Ordering a travel size version to keep in my backpack as we speak!" — McKenzie Meuleveld
Get it from Amazon for $19.97.
4. Take out the trash with tear-resistant 13-gallon bags so your house doesn't reek of three-day-old takeout remnants. Plus, these bags are super tough, so you don't have to worry about them tearing and making an even bigger mess.
Tap to play GIF
amazon.com, Amazon
Promising review:"I recently switched from this brand to GLAD ForceFlex. I will never switch again — this is the BEST brand and the strongest bag. ForceFlex bags ripped with every bag so much so that I had to double bag every time. Hefty bags are strong and hold the entire 13 gallons without tears or ripping. PERFECT bag for kitchen!!!" — Michele M.
Get an 80-pack from Amazon for $13.46+ (available in seven scents).
5. And swap out your bathmat. Fluffy bathroom rugs (especially right after a shower) can look matted and smell mildewy. Opt for this slatted bath mat and impress your guests with your bathroom's spa-like feel.
amazon.com
Promising review:"The material is great. It's soft but flexible so it feels comfortable to step on but also sturdy beneath your feet. I got a bigger size and it actually pulls the room together making my tiny bathroom look rather chic. Honestly, I think it's great and better for the environment because I don't have launder it every week." — JamieJo
Get it from Amazon for $34.99+ (available in four sizes and in black).
6. Corral clutter with cute yet functional storage bins to transform the pile of mail that's been sitting on your counter for two weeks into stylish decor.
Amazon
Promising review:"I'm so glad I bought these. I use them for everything from makeup to organizing food in my pantry (they're fantastic for that), and storing/hiding various dog 'stuff.' They look nice out on my shelves or I can stick them in the cabinet. I wish I'd bought two (packs of six). I didn't realize just how versatile they are. Oh, and durable. They hold a good amount of weight, and don't beat up easily. In my house that's amazing." — Jennifer
Get a three-pack from Amazon for $24.99+ (available in 10 sizes/shapes and in 15 colors/prints).
7. Break out the pet hair remover if your couch cushions tend to bear the brunt of Fido's incessant shedding. This one is equipped with reusable bristles, so you can keep your home fur-free without dragging out the vacuum or wasting a bunch of single-use lint roller sheets. Any allergy-prone guests will be grateful you did!
amazon.com
ChomChom Roller is a Massachusetts-based small biz creating an eco-friendly, reusable alternative to sticky lint rollers.
Because it doesn't rely on adhesive paper, you only have to buy it once and can reuse it — cleaning the hair off the brush when it gets clogged, of course!
Promising reviews:"Finally a lint roller that really works. Now I have an obsessed husband picking up German shepherd hair off the couch. Worth the price paid. It will pay for itself. No more sticky tape rollers!" — Blanca LInda Hatter
Get one from Amazon for $24.99 (available in three colors).
8. Wipe down any mirrors or other glass surfaces with microfiber cloths that deliver a reliably lint- and streak-free finish. People love looking at themselves and, when they do, they're going to notice your toothpaste-splattered mirror.
amazon.com, amazon.com
Microfiber Wholesale is a family-owned small biz that started in 1946. Since then, the brand has evolved into an e-commerce business tat creates and distributes high-quality cleaning products.
They're great for windows or any glassware, too!
Promising review: "I couldn't get my windows clean using cleaning solution, newsprint, and a lot of elbow grease. There were always streaks and dirt left behind. Enter these things. One quick cleaning, and I do mean quick, and my windows are now cleaner than any windows I've ever cleaned. It's simply amazing. We were all standing around in utter shock and delight before running around trying the cloths on other stuff: the TV, the picture glass, etc. I know it sounds corny, but I couldn't wait to get up this morning, because I woke up in the middle of the night excitedly thinking about trying it on the car today. They are truly, truly amazing." — Xena the Warrior Mama
Get a pack of eight from Amazon for $15.98.
9. "Do" the dishes. That can mean actually cleaning them (and I recommend this pump soap dispenser and caddy to get the job done quicker), but it can also mean loading up the dishwasher or, if you're really short on time, putting them in the oven. Just get those dirty dishes out of the sink!
amazon.com
Promising review:"Dispenses just the right amount of soap, cleans easy, and is very durable having dropped it into the sink a couple of times with no damage. Color is clean and sleek and it holds a good amount of soap so refilling isn't often. Worth every penny." — Ken
Get it from Amazon for $9.99+ (available in five colors).
10. Give your floors a quick once-over, which is A LOT easier with a cordless vacuum around. It's so lightweight and easy to maneuver, and without a cord tethering you to outlets you can literally run around your house to get it clean.
amazon.com, amazon.com
This versatile vacuum has three suction modes, an LED headlight, an additional slim brush cleaning head, and an easy-to-install wall mount for easy storage that works with the charging adaptor. PLUS, it can be turned into a handheld vacuum.
Promising review:"I LOVE this vacuum for so many reasons! Cordless, great suction power, I'm able to use it on my tile, hardwood and carpet! It's very lightweight and comes with so many accessories. I have dogs and it takes care of all of the hair easily!" — Aleigha Alderete
Get it from Amazon for $199.99+ (available in two styles).
11. Hit up high-touch areas with a plant-based stainless steel cleaner that'll make your faucets and appliances shine enough to distract your guests from all the spots you didn't have a chance to clean.
amazon.com
Therapy Clean is a family-owned small business creating safe, plant-based cleaning solutions (that just so happen to also smell amazing) from their very own factory in New Hampshire.
It also comes with a microfiber cleaning cloth!
Promising review:"We got this product because while stainless-steel appliances look so nice when you first get them, as soon as you start using them you get fingerprints galore. All of the 'home remedy' tricks we tried were annoying, or so labor-intensive as to be overly frustrating, so this product has been wonderful. It takes only a few minutes to clean all the appliances and make them look brand new again — great for when company comes over and you want to pretend like you always live in a magazine spread for home rather than the comfortable way you normally do :-)" — Anton Stocker
Get it from Amazon for $19.95+ (available in two sizes).
12. Switch out your linens with fresh ones, like this hilarious Schitt's Creek tea towel, to add some personality to your space and save your guests from drying their hands with a soiled rag.
3 Cubs Crafts / Etsy
3 Cubs Crafts is an Apex, North Carolina-based Etsy shop (owned by a mom of three!) creating originally pop culture-inspired candles and home decor.
Promising review:"Exactly as described. Good quality. Nice printing." — Brandie Humphrey
Get it from 3 Cubs Crafts on Etsy for $12+ (available separately or as a pair).
13. Deploy a fast-acting air purifier so you and your guests can breathe a little easier — literally. Three-stage filtration works quickly to reduce the presence of airborne allergens and traps pet dander, pollen, odors, and more.
amazon.com, amazon.com
The purifier filters allergens, mold, pet dander, dust, smoke, and cooking odors, and covers up to 219 square feet. Plus, there's a smart indicator to let you know when it's time to put in a new replacement filter.
Promising review:"I foster kittens for a rescue, and no matter how often I clean the boxes — two or three times daily, and general cleaning — I still have an odor in the room. I got this product out of desperation. It was a good size and weight for kitties bouncing around. I am truly shocked and enormously happy with how it works! My husband was at wits' end with his sensitive nose. He goes in there now and is astonished — no smell. We are getting another for the kitchen! I also enjoy the nightlight. Very helpful without disturbing sick sleepy babies recovering from illness." — victoria Mohagen
Get it from Amazon for $89.99 (available in white and black).
14. Make your bed if you don't plan to simply shut your bedroom door! Your room will instantly appear tidier. Make it easier on yourself with a set of bedsheet fasteners so your nightly tossing and turning won't lead to you having to strip and remake the entire bed come morning.
amazon.com, amazon.com
Promising review:"These work really well! I have a 14-inch mattress, so keeping the fitted sheet well secured has been a struggle until now. One of the best purchases I've made. I followed someone else's advice here of turning the sheet inside out, putting the fasteners on, then putting the sheet on the mattress. Made them very easy to use." — Jayne Voyt
Get a four-pack from Amazon for $8.99 (available in three colors).
15. Spot clean trouble spots with powerful Magic Erasers that can be used to clean floors, counters, stovetops, tubs, sinks — you name it! And no time wasted switching cleaners for different jobs.
Amazon
Promising review: "I have several children under the age of 10, and let's just say they leave a lot of mystery stains throughout the house. I have tried a bit of everything and some older stains just wouldn't work until I got these erasers. Be prepared to use some elbow grease for sure but honestly, less than you probably expect. Great buy." — Dom
Get a pack of 10 from Amazon for $12.77.
16. Dim the lights and add a little ambience with a twinkling curtain string light because they can't see the dust if it's dark enough, and they won't care if it's cozy enough.
amazon.com
Diffuse the lights with chiffon curtains to really up your home's hygge factor.
Promising review:"I bought this product to liven up my apartment, I love it! It arrived quickly and was easy to set up. The only issue I have was that the cord for the plug is WAY too short, I had to buy a chord extender so I could plug it in. But the lights are very soft, not too bright. Perfect! There are many different settings too for the lights to glow, or blink in. Definitely a bang for your buck👌🏽" — Chloe
Get it from Amazon for $19.99+ (available in two sizes and eight colors).
17. Light a candle that smells great and doubles as a conversation starter like this mystical birthdate candle. It combines astrology, numerology, and tarot to create a sweet-smelling piece of home decor that's completely personalized based on your birthday and will grab the attention of your guests before they even notice the clutter.
Skyler Murry / BuzzFeed
Launched in 2019, Birthdate Co. is a small biz creating candles and books with customized astrological information for every single day of the year, making a perfect customized gift!
And if you're tired of throwing away kinda ugly disposable lighters, pick up a rechargeable electric lighter!
Promising review:"This is my sixth birthday candle I have purchased an I love them and so do the people I give them to… I purchased one for myself too.. highly recommend" — Ramona L.
Get it from Birthdate Co. for $54.99 (available in 366 styles).
18. Lastly, get a bottle of wine prepped and ready in no time with an electric wine opener, because no one will care about a little mess when free alcohol is provided.
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