Get Your Home Organized for Holiday Entertaining
The holidays are magical, but they can also mean overnight guests, last-minute hosting, and a whole lot of stuff flowing into your home. The key to enjoying the season instead of stressing through it? A little strategic organizing!
I'm sharing my favorite systems for holiday entertaining that will help your guests feel truly welcome while keeping you calm, confident, and ready for anything the season throws your way.
We'll focus on the three spaces that matter most to your overnight guests, plus two high-traffic areas where clutter loves to pile up, and two game-changing systems that will make holiday chaos actually manageable.
The Three Spaces That Make or Break Guest Comfort
Space #1: Your Linen Closet
Nothing says "welcome" quite like fresh, easy-to-find linens. But most linen closets are a jumbled mess that guests definitely don't want to navigate.
The fix: Use soft fabric bins for towels and blankets so they don't snag or wrinkle. Store pillows in zippered storage bags to keep them clean, fluffy, and ready to go. Add labels to everything so your guests can help themselves without feeling like they're snooping.
This simple upgrade transforms your linen closet from chaotic to hotel-worthy, and your guests will feel genuinely at home.
Space #2: The Guest Bathroom
We've all been there: you arrive at someone's home and realize you forgot your toothbrush, contact solution, or shampoo. Make your guests' lives easier by thinking ahead!
The fix: Set up a guest amenity station using a sectioned drawer organizer, decorative tray, or basket. Fill it with travel-sized essentials like shampoo, conditioner, lotion, soap, toothpaste, toothbrushes, dental floss, and contact solution with a case.
Here's a pro tip: those mini toiletries from your last hotel stay that you snag for your next “just in case”... this is their moment to shine! Place the tray on the bathroom counter when guests arrive, and they'll appreciate not having to ask for (or dig through your drawers to find) what they need.
Space #3: The Guest Bedroom
You want guests to feel like you thoughtfully prepared for their arrival, not like they're an afterthought. A few small touches go a surprisingly long way.
The fix: Create a charging station with a selection of phone cords in a small organizer, because someone always forgets theirs. Add a basket on the nightstand with water bottles and a few granola or protein bars for late-night snacking or early-morning hunger.
These tiny gestures show you care and make your guest room feel like a boutique hotel experience.
Two High-Traffic Areas Where Clutter Piles Up Fast
Your home is a reflection of your life, and when the holidays get busy, clutter accumulates at lightning speed. Let's tackle the two worst offenders with simple containment strategies.
High-Traffic Area #1: The Entryway
This is clutter ground zero during the holidays. Between package deliveries, guests arriving with coats and bags, and kids coming in with backpacks and shoes… your entryway can go from tidy to disaster zone in a matter of minutes.
The fix: Use large labeled bins to corral packages, winter gear, and outerwear. Give everything a designated home so items don't end up scattered across your floors and furniture. Your entryway stays welcoming, and you always know where things are.
High-Traffic Area #2: Kitchen Counters
The kitchen is where everyone gathers during the holidays, which means it's also where mail, school papers, shopping bags, and random items tend to pile up right when you need counter space most.
The fix: Mount a wall paper organizer to catch incoming mail, permission slips, and other papers before they take over your counters. This keeps your workspace clear for cooking, baking, and entertaining without the visual clutter.
Two Holiday Systems That Reduce Seasonal Chaos
System #1: Gift-Wrapping Station
Gift wrap is hands down the most over-purchased and under-used holiday item. It multiplies in closets, takes over corners, and creates chaos unless you contain it properly.
The fix: Use an under-bed gift wrap organizer to store everything: wrapping paper, tissue paper, bows, ribbon, scissors, tags, holiday cards, and tape in one place. Slide it under your bed and reclaim that valuable closet space.
Most people forget about the storage potential under their bed, but it's absolutely perfect for seasonal items you only use a few times a year.
System #2: Holiday Essentials Basket
Here's a scenario I see constantly: you buy holiday napkins in October, candles in early November, and gifts throughout the season. Then you stash them in different spots around the house and can't find a single thing when you actually need it.
The fix: Designate one basket or bin as your "Holiday Essentials" station. Label it clearly and use it as the catch-all for seasonal napkins, candles, tablecloths, hostess gifts, and anything else holiday-related. When the big day arrives, you'll know exactly where everything is; no frantic searching required.
Your Action Plan
Don't feel like you need to tackle everything at once, that's a recipe for overwhelm. Instead, choose three items from this list to complete this week. Space out the remaining projects over the next few weeks leading up to your guests' arrival.
Small, consistent progress beats perfection every time. Your organized, guest-ready home is just a few simple systems away.
Ready to make this your most organized holiday season yet? Schedule your complimentary Zoom consultation with me today!
