Prep your house before you deck your house! Bahahahaha!! No - but seriously, there are a few things you should do to your home in preperation for the holidays. We have teamed up with The Organized Home to help you prepare your home for the holidays. Before we decorate, we start with a clean slate. The end of summer comes in a flash. One moment, the sun is beating down, and the neighborhood is buzzing with exuberant children. Then suddenly, the weather is crisp and cool, store shelves are filled with festive décor, and you have to get your home ready for the upcoming holiday season. Whether you're hosting guests, traveling or enjoying a quiet holiday season at home, you want your home to be ready for the busy months ahead.
Before the holidays are underway, follow these five steps to prepare your home.
Step 1: Declutter and Organize
Ideally, our homes would be perfectly clutter-free year-round. Unfortunately, that's not the reality for most households, especially with kids in the mix. However, you'll want to tidy up before the holidays begin. A decluttered home helps guests feel comfortable, creates space for an influx of holiday gifts and makes cleaning easy.
Start by packing up summer items such as clothing and recreational equipment and storing it out of the way. The Organized Home warns not to store clothing in the attic or basement, instead choosing a dry, temperature-controlled space. Then, clear surfaces around the home to make space for décor and guests. For items you need to keep handy, decorative storage baskets offer an attractive solution.
Step 2: Clean
There's a reason people schedule their annual deep clean in the spring. The holidays are so busy that it's tough to stay on top of chores. As a result, mess accumulates until the big spring purge. If you prefer to keep a tidy home all winter long, tackle cleaning before the holidays arrive.
Fall is a great time to clean carpets and upholstery. Now that kids are back in school, it's easier to maintain their clean state. You'll also want to dust your home from top to bottom. Homes tend to be dustier in winter, so doing it now gives you a fresh start.
After cleaning up, you need a plan to keep your home clean. Schedule a weekly chore rotation so nothing is neglected. If you need added motivation to keep your home clean, invest in new cleaning supplies. Glass bottles are an earth-friendly way to give homemade cleaners an aesthetic boost, while a new upright vacuum lets you clean all types of carpet and hard floors without switching tools. These multifunctional models are efficient and effective, plus they have the power of a canister vacuum with the flexibility of a handheld appliance.
Step 3: Complete Fall Home Maintenance
To get your home through the winter in one piece, complete fall home maintenance before the holidays arrive. At a minimum, you should clean the gutters, replace the HVAC air filter, and bring outdoor furniture inside. House Beautiful lists additional tasks that help your home look its best come spring.
Step 4: Prepare Guest Rooms
Avoid a last-minute frenzy to prepare for holiday guests by setting up guest bedrooms now. Beds should be made with fresh linens and closet space cleared for guests to store their belongings. If you've been using your guest bedroom as a storage space, this is the time to find a better home for your boxes.
Spend a moment lying on guest beds to test their comfort. If mattresses or pillows are lumpy or sagging, it's time to replace them. Don't count on guests to warn you of an uncomfortable bed; most people will be too polite to mention it.
Step 5: Inventory Holiday Supplies
If you've hung string lights only to later discover half the bulbs are burnt out, you understand the importance of checking holiday supplies before using them. Take out boxes of holiday décor and note items that need to be replaced.
In addition to decorations, take stock of your dinnerware and seating if you plan on hosting guests. The last thing you want is to realize at the last moment you don't have enough place settings for everyone. By taking inventory of items, you can make a list of everything you need to buy before the holidays begin.
The holidays are a time for enjoying the company of your loved ones, not fretting over the state of your home. By taking care of these five steps now, you give yourself the freedom to relax and enjoy the holiday season.
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