Considering how much care we take to entertain company – with specially prepared meals and seasonal decorations – we should ensure our home is tidy for guests, too! It typically takes several days or more to complete the KonMari Method™ – but what if company is coming tomorrow? Here are some quick tidying tips that will spruce up any space.
“Take this opportunity to ask yourself if these things really spark joy. If they don’t, thank them and let them go.”
Do a “Joy Check”
We become so accustomed to living in our space that it is difficult to see it objectively. Start by walking through the front door as if you were a guest. Move through each room, looking at it with fresh eyes. Perhaps you’ve stuffed things in a closet or piled items you’re feeling unsure about. Take this opportunity to ask yourself if these things really spark joy. If they don’t, thank them and let them go.
Decide Where Things Belong
Did you discover anything laying around the room haphazardly? This is your opportunity to decide exactly where it belongs. Having a vague idea that something should be kept “around here” isn’t sufficient. The remote control goes in a gold tray on the right side table, pens on the counter go in the ceramic holder, and the pile of mail goes in the pending box on your desk. If you want to maintain a tidy home, you – and everyone else who lives there – must know precisely where each item belongs.
Keep a Neat Kitchen
The kitchen in particular tends to look cluttered because it’s home to so many miscellaneous items. The key to making it look as neat as possible is to display only your favorite items on the countertop. Anything that can go in a drawer or a cupboard should be put away. If you keep the area around the sink clear, it will be easy to wipe drops of water and maintain a clean kitchen.
“If you keep the area around the sink clear, it will be easy to wipe drops of water and maintain a clean kitchen.”
One final tip: Make sure your dishwasher or dish drying rack is empty – or at least has as much space as possible the day you’re welcoming guests. If you can place the dishes directly into the dishwasher after meals, you’ll be able to keep your kitchen looking neat and tidy to the very end.
