10 Things To Hide Before Having Guests Over

Having guests over is quite rewarding, but it requires preparation. It’s easy to lose track of what is worth putting away when preparing to accommodate friends and family. However, there are a few things that you must hide before having guests over.

Hide your medication and tobacco products before having guests over to ensure nobody ingests them. It’s also a great idea to put your bills and mail away to maintain privacy at home. Put away any potentially inappropriate artwork and decorations and hide your pet’s toys before guests arrive. Ideally, you should also put your pets in a closed room. 

Otherwise, all you must do is clean the countertops and floors and declutter your home so it’s presentable. Follow along as we highlight 10 things to hide before having guests over. 

What To Put Away Before Having Guests Over 

1. Laundry

It’s too easy to get behind on laundry when you're busy with work and other responsibilities. However, there’s no better time to put your laundry away than before having guests over. A pile of laundry is an eyesore to many people, even if your guests can relate. 

Loose laundry is a tripping hazard and can also be embarrassing, as some of it may be intimate apparel. You don’t necessarily need to wash your clothes before guests come over. However, you should at least put your clothes in a bin and get them out of the way in a room where guests won’t enter. 

2. Medications

There are many reasons you should hide your medications before having guests over, but privacy is an important one. The medication you take is a matter of privacy, and it’s strictly your business. Leaving out prescriptions and even over-the-counter medicine can also be dangerous.

For example, some medications have dangerous effects and should only be taken under a doctor’s supervision. Your best bet is to put your medication in a secured area or cabinet where your guests cannot see it. That’s especially true if you don’t know some of your guests too well or if they are bringing their children. 

3. Mail

Many homeowners understandably stack their mail and bills on the counter or in an area where they will remember to check them. This is an easy way to keep your bills organized, but it also leaves them out in the open. It’s important to put your mail and bills away before your guests have the chance to accidentally see them at your party. 

Some letters and bills you get in the mail are matters of privacy, and they are strictly your business. For example, you may have letters regarding medical bills, loans, and payment plans that are private. Simply put these away before guests arrive and put them back out when they leave. 

4. Tobacco Products 

Of course, tobacco products are harmful in the long term, but not everybody knows that. For example, some of your guests may bring their kids who do not know about tobacco. In that case, they may be curious and play with your cigarettes or smokeless tobacco.

This can lead to serious health consequences that are avoidable by hiding your tobacco or non-tobacco vaping products. The same concept applies to any type of smokeable product, whether it’s legal or not. It only takes a moment to put these items away, and it’s a matter of your guests’ safety. 

5. Pet Toys

As pet parents, it’s easy to get used to frequently stepping on your pet's toys . However, your guests may not know to watch where they step when they enter your home. That’s why it’s a great idea to scour your floor for loose pet toys and pick them up as needed. 

Not only does this make your home look less cluttered, but it also reduces tripping hazards. This is also a great chance to clean up after your pets and remove loose hair. Simply use a lint roller to pick up pet hair from your furniture and vacuum your floors. 

6. Provocative Artwork

There’s nothing wrong with having provocative artwork in your home if you appreciate it. However, it’s worth covering some of it up if some of your guests have children. That’s especially true if they are young, as you don’t want to expose them to inappropriate concepts. 

In that case, you can either cover them with blankets and sheets or put the pieces of art away. Otherwise, you can establish the room they are in as off-limits if you’d rather not put your controversial art pieces away. This is a matter of protecting young guests and respecting their parents. 

7. Full Trash Containers

You are bound to accumulate some trash and recycling items when you have guests over. The last thing you want is for guests to approach your trash can only to find that it’s full. It’s a great idea to empty your trash and recycling containers before guests arrive.

You may even want to label the containers so your guests can easily take care of their trash. It’s also worth thoroughly cleaning your trash can if it needs it. Trash cans naturally smell bad after months or even weeks of use, and it’s important to clean them occasionally. 

8. Old Food Items

Are your guests bringing over food and or drinks? If so, then it’s important to clear some space in the fridge to accommodate your guests. The easiest way to do this is to look for old and expired food items and throw them away.

It’s even worth throwing away nearly expired items if you don’t think you will use them. This is a great chance to organize your fridge while making space for your guests’ drinks. Otherwise, it’s worth setting up a cooler to accommodate your guests if your fridge is too full. 

9. Winter Clothes

Winter clothes take up a lot of space, especially when you have a lot of guests over. More often than not, people remove their coats and jackets and set them aside somewhere. This can take up so much space that it obscures seating and clutters your home.

It’s always a good idea to declutter a closet and dedicate it to coats and jackets when you have guests over. That way, your hard work cleaning your house won’t go to waste because of unnecessary coat clutter. You can even put a sign on the door letting people know where to store their winter attire. 

10. Pets

While you can keep your pets out about the house when you have people over, it carries some risks. For example, with so many people coming and going, there’s a chance your pets may get outside. That is a quick way to ruin a party and make it feel stressful.

There is also a risk that some of your guests are allergic to your pets. Some pets are nice to their owners but hostile toward strangers. It’s not worth the risk of your dog or cat biting and scratching your guests. 

Instead, simply put them in a spacious room with plenty of toys, food, and water to keep them happy. Feel free to check on them occasionally and pet them to let them know you didn’t abandon them. 

Summing It Up

It’s a great idea to hide your medication, mail, and bills before having guests over. Ideally, you should also declutter your home, and remove pet hair and toys that people may step on. Empty your trash and recycling cans and clear a closet where guests can hang their coats and jackets. 

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