You know that feeling when you’re rushing out the door for a trip and you’re in a hurry and you suddenly start to think about all the things you meant to do before leaving? Well, you’re not alone - it’s so easy to leave things to the last minute, especially when you’re busy. But wouldn’t it be nice to be able to leave the house knowing it’s not just tidy, but it’s actually ready in case anyone needs to stop by (or you’re having guests soon after you get back, for example)?
It doesn’t matter if you’re away for a long weekend or a much longer getaway, setting your home up before you go just makes everything better, and it’s not just about your peace of mind, but also for those moments when a friend comes by to water the plants or just check on your home while you’re going - you don’t have to worry about things at all. With that in mind, keep reading to find out how to keep your home guest-ready while you’re away.
Start With The Basics
Packing always takes so much longer than you think, especially when you get distracted by other things or you just don’t know what to pack and it takes ages to work it out. That’s why it’s so important to start early - way earlier than might feel necessary, actually. That way, you’re not just throwing anything you can into a suitcase and hurrying off, leaving a big mess behind you.
Plus, getting that out of the way early means you’ve got time for the rest of the prep, like dealing with the contents of the fridge so you don’t come home to moldy food and off milk, for example, or changing the bedclothes so you come home to fresh sheets. You’ll be so grateful you did it once you get back and you’re tired.
Clean As Though Someone’s Coming Over
Even if no one’s officially house-sitting for you, it’s worth giving the place a once-over as if you’re expecting company - a clean home is always more welcoming, whether that’s for you when you get back or a helpful neighbor or loved one who’s agreed to help out in some way.
You don’t have to do a deep clean, but it’s worth wiping down surfaces, doing the laundry, and emptying the bins, for example. It’s not a lot to do really, and it’ll make all the difference - you really don’t want to come back from a relaxing break away and your home smells bad.
Consider A Helping Hand
If you’re going away for more than a couple of days, it might be worth having someone pop by to check in on things - that could be a trusted friend, a neighbor, or even a house-sitting, and they’ll be able to make sure nothing’s wrong and your home is safe and secure. It’s also a good way to make sure the place looks lived in, as you just never know who’s paying attention.
And if they’re up for doing a little light maintenance, that’s even better. We’re not talking about full-in projects, but if the leaves on your lawn are getting out of hand, for example, they could borrow your Worx leaf vacuum to keep your paths and driveway clear. Or they could put your bins out on the right day (and bring them back in again), and so on. Just remember to get them a nice thank you gift from wherever you’ve been.
Don’t Forget The Outside
It’s easy to focus on the inside of your home and forget about the exterior completely, but first impressions really do matter, even if you’re not there to witness them. That’s why you’ll need to spend a little time tidying up the front garden, watering the plants, and perhaps adding some security features like lights to dissuade burglars and help out anyone who’s coming by (and who’s meant to be there, of course).
Lights on a timer are another great idea, and if you’ve got them in place already, now’s the time to check that they’re working. The fact is that a few well-placed lights and lamps switching on in the evening can give the illusion that someone’s at home, which is both comforting and clever.
The Little Extras
It’s also a good idea to think about the small details you usually don’t notice until they’re suddenly annoying, like the batteries in your smoke alarms or making sure there’s enough toilet paper in the bathrooms. And it’s well worth leaving a note with some emergency contact numbers on it in an obvious place, just in case your guest notices an issue that needs to be dealt with.
It might seem as though all these are just more and more things to do before you leave that will cause you stress, but the fact is that if you can go away knowing your home is in great shape, you’ll feel a lot better.