9 Steps to Make Your Home Guest-Ready in Under 15 Minutes

Updated on Jan 13, 2017 at 3:15 PM

How many times have you received that unexpected phone call from a friend: she's in the neighboorhood and wants to hang, so can she stop by your place in 15 minutes? But unfortunately, while you would love to chat with her over a glass of wine, you have no choice but to make up a lame excuse solely because your place is a wreck. The truth is we've all been there before. The kitchen is in shambles, the bedroom is a disaster, and dust bunnies have taken over random little corners throughout your living room. This could seem like a huge undertaking only suited for a scheduled deep cleaning on Sunday afternoon, but really, it isn't! Read on for a checklist of quick tips to make your house look amazing in 15 minutes or less, so instead of saying "maybe next time" to your gal pal, you'll finally get to say "see ya soon!"

Make Your Bed

Making your bed is a great place to start in your 15-minute clean up, and be sure not to worry about perfection! Don't spend too much time folding to make crisp lines and tucks. Instead, just smooth out your comforter or duvet, and playfully arrange your pillows and shams at the top. As long as it doesn't look disheveled, it will work for this speed clean.

Fill Your Baskets

Baskets are made for the 15-minute clean up because nothing is easier than tossing a mess in a basket! Dirty clothes on the floor? Drop that in the basket. A bunch of knick-knacks laying about on the kitchen counter? Basket. Dog toys everywhere? You guessed it: basket! Decorative and woven baskets just have a sharp look to them, so even if they are filled with clutter, at least it is organized all in one place.

Fluff Your Pillows

Droopy pillows just look sad and a bit disorderly, causing the rest of your space to lack that 'put together' feeling. Take a minute or two in your quick clean-up to fluff them up and bring them back to life! This will instantly transform your couch or sitting chair into a vibrant new area of your home.

Fold Your Quilts and Blankets

Nothing pulls together a room more than a neatly folded quilt or blanket drapped over a chair or on the back of the couch. Taking some time to fold all of your beloved snugglies will give the appearance of a cleaner, more assembled living space.

Wipe Down Countertops

Your guest does not want to see evidence of last night's dinner, so grab your favorite all-purpose cleaning spray and wipe down large area countertops in your home. Taking a special eye to kitchen spaces and the guest sink are especially a priority.

Clear Out Dirty Dishes

Dirty dishes scattered around your house is a no-no! If time allows, hand wash these stragglers and put them back in their respective places. Or, if you are really rushing, pop them inside your dishwasher or stack them neatly in the sink where they'll be out of sight. As long as dirty dishes are not on display, you are good to go.

Dust Only in Highly Visible Areas

Dusting is a task that we can easily get carried away with, so only focus on highly visible areas of your home for this 15-minute bender! A small, unassuming corner does not hold as high of a priority as the eye-level countertops do. Try to see your home through your guest's eyes. You won't be able to hit every nook and cranny, so make sure the areas you do dust will be worth it.

Tidy Your Linens

Unorganized stacks of linens can create the sense of chaos in your bathroom or hallway. Take a few minutes to re-arrange sheets and other linens displayed on your shelf so they at least appear to be stored uniformly. You can also neatly re-fold any hanging bath towels to create a cleaner, more arranged vibe.

Vacuum!

And last but not least: take your trusty vacuum and run it through areas of your home with carpets or rugs. This will help to pick up any dust bunnies or crumbs that tend to easily show up on these kind of softer surfaces. Of course, you can always do a quick run-through over your hardwood too, but it all depends on how much time you have left!

Home Organization