Our guest room has become a catch-all: how do we make it guest ready again?

Just because your guest room is intended for guests, it doesn't have to sit empty and forgotten about except for the three weekends a year you host visitors. If your guest room is a holding zone for returns or “to do’s” - that’s ok! If, however, it has become a dumping ground for all the random things that don't have a proper place in your home, that's a different story.

I like when we have one room to hold all the odds and ends. This helps the rest of your home feels light and organized. The only problem is that it needs to be “reset” every so often and it’s ideal if it's done more often than not. 

Start by setting a monthly reminder to check in with the space. Identify what has landed there and move items to their appropriate space in the home. The more frequently you reset this space the easier it will be. Check in to see what types of items keep landing in there. If you don’t have a home for it, and it doesnt need to stay in your home, donate it. If it’s important, create a space in the guest closet for it. Your guests only need a small amount of space to hang clothing. 

Closets are valuable real estate so use them! I use guest closets for seasonal and infrequently used items like hiking or camping supplies, memorabilia, housewarming gifts, or art supplies that you only use once a year when you find a free moment. Create clear zones within the closet so it doesn't feel cluttered even though it's housing a number of different categories. 

Make sure you aren't storing items in your guest closet that you use frequently. You know the minute your guest takes a nap you’ll need that one particular thing and won't be able to access it. 

To keep this room looking cozy and welcoming, reset it weekly and don’t let items linger in the space. There will be seasons where items pile up in there and that’s ok. Just focus on your habits around what goes in and what comes out of this room to ensure it supports your goal of a welcoming guest room.