The Ultimate Room-by-Room Holiday Checklist, From Decluttering to Decorating

The holiday season is full of cheer, but it often comes with a flurry of stress as we try to ready our home for guests. Emily Christopher, owner of NEAT Method, explains how taking on additional tasks during an already busy season can often be overwhelming.

"Addressing the cluttered corners of your home before your checklist fills up with all the extra holiday to-dos can go a long way in setting yourself up for success," Christopher says.

From cozying the living room to prepping the kitchen for hustle and bustle, we banded together with Christopher to create a room-by-room holiday planning checklist. Follow this guide to ensure every corner of your home is ready to impress guests.

The Entryway

Designate a Spot for Shoes

Christopher suggests using a boot tray since it can go a long way to help make your entryway feel organized while hosting.

"If space permits, a stylish bench with a shoe basket for each family member—and one for guests— corrals clutter as well," Christopher says.

Ready the Coat Closet

Tuck a few extra hangers in your coat closet to accommodate guests' jackets and coasts, Christopher says. For the hanger-adverse, Christopher recommends an over-the-door hook since it's temporary and keeps coats behind closed doors.

Give Things a Last-Minute Spruce

• Wipe down the baseboards and walls
• Pick up clutter near the door
• Use glass cleaner to remove fingerprints from windows and doors
• Shovel the front walk, if needed

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The Living Room

Donate Items

Assess any clutter taking up residence in your space and decide if it can be tossed or donated. For larger donations, Christopher recommends offloading them at a thrift store located along one of your everyday routes. Remember to have gift wrap storage solutions ready to fill.

Facebook Marketplace is also a good alternate option for items that thrift stores won't take, but keep in mind that Marketplace does require more lift to coordinate pickup, Christopher explains.

"It reduces friction in getting those items out of your home—and even more importantly—out of your car," Christopher says.

Clean Under Furniture

You probably vacuum once a week, but you might be missing the dust hiding under your larger furniture. Take some time to move your sofa and coffee table aside to zap any dust bunnies that have been posted up.

Put Up Decorations

Get out the garland and break out the tinsel—decking your halls ensures your guests will get in the spirit the minute they walk into your home.

Give Things a Last-Minute Clean

• Vacuum and spot-clean upholstered furniture.
• Dust tabletops, shelves, and window coverings.
• Clean any glass surfaces and mirrors with diluted distilled white vinegar and a microfiber cloth.
• Sweep and wet mop floors and vacuum carpets or rugs.

The Kitchen

Clean and Organize Your Refrigerator

Reset your fridge before the holiday rush by cleaning the shelves and organizing it for optimal performance.

To encourage guests to retain order, Christopher recommends adding labels to your refrigerators, drawers, and shelves. Labels will help ensure categories stay together and make it clear to everyone where items can be found and easily put away, Christopher says.

Another fridge editing tip? Christopher recommends reserving some space for leftovers.

Organize the Pantry

Set your pantry up for success this holiday season by decluttering expired items and grouping like items together.

Get Tidy Quickly

• Clear the counters of any crumbs and spills, then disinfect them with a store-bought or homemade cleaner.
• Clean and polish appliances, including the stove, refrigerator, dishwasher and microwave
• Scrub the sink.
• Dust the cupboards and wipe down exterior surfaces.
• Mop the floors.

The Bathroom

Stock Up on Supplies

To avoid a toilet paper run on Christmas morning, consider stocking up on items like toilet paper, hand soap, toothpaste, and other in-demand toiletries before guests arrive.

Add Extra Storage

"If towel rods are at a premium in your bath, consider adding an over-the-door hook to accommodate extra guest towels," Christopher recommends.  

To make space for guest toiletries, Christopher recommends clearing a drawer or adding a small basket to the countertop, just for guests. Additionally, if you know your guests are under-packers, surprise them by tucking in a few spare toiletries, Christopher says.

Deep Clean and Sanitize

You might clean your bathroom weekly, but guests provide the perfect motivation to tackle those overlooked tasks—like washing or replacing your shower curtain and liner, scrubbing the grout, and wiping down the baseboards.

Give Your Bathroom a Refresh

• Scrub the toilet bowl (including under the rim).
• Clean the tub or shower, sink, and vanity countertops.
• Wipe mirrors clean to remove streaks and water spots.
• Set out fresh bath and hand towels.
• Mop the floor.

The Guest Room

Design or Finish Your Guest Room

As the holidays approach, shift your guest room from an afterthought to the spotlight by sourcing any missing furniture pieces such as nightstands, dressers, or seating.

If you're debating what item will give you the most bang for your buck, Christopher likes an easy-access storage bench that can be placed at the end of the bed. Use it to stow extra linens, or leave it empty so guests can load it with the contents of their suitcases. 

Make the Bed

If your guest room’s set to remain vacant until the holidays, do yourself a favor and make the bed now. If you have a summer-weight duvet, now is the perfect time to swap it for your winter weight. You might also consider folding a quilt at the end of your bed and setting out extra pillows so guests can customize the bed to their sleeping preferences. 

Create a Welcome Package

Make guests feel at home by setting up a welcome basket or tray. Keep it simple with a personalized note and a card containing essential info like the WiFi password or an itinerary for their stay. To make it feel a touch more luxe, add a novelty like slippers or a bottle of wine.

Get Your Room Ready in Minutes

• Start at the top of the room and dust ceiling fans, light fixtures, window coverings, and furniture.
• Vacuum the carpet or dust mop the floor.