How to Prep Your Kitchen for Guests

Before double-checking that all of your cookware, cutlery and kitchen gadgets are in place, you need to make sure you’ve got a clean space. Give your kitchen a once over. For most of us, the kitchen is a space that quickly accumulates clutter. Keys and mail are left on kitchen islands, reusable shopping bags are left in the corner, serveware can get stacked unceremoniously on countertops. These are all very typical elements of clutter, because the kitchen is often a high-traffic spot. We believe in being realistic – the kitchen doesn’t have to be 100 percent pristine at all times, but if you’re having guests over, you should clear things out. You want as much available space for seasonal cooking projects (or even your guests’ clutter), and, of course, you want things to look nice and clean.
Once items are cleared away, you can pull out your sweeper and clean up crumbs and dust that inevitably gathered over time.

Now it's time to tackle specific areas of the kitchen.

• Wipe Down Kitchen Surfaces: Break out cleaning tools and wipe down every surface with a cleaner and a kitchen towel. This means countertops, chairs (and their legs), the stove range, stovetop, the exterior of the refrigerator and other appliances and cupboards.
• Clean the Floors: Make those floors shine for guests by mopping.
• Brighten Up Windows: Another nice to-do is cleaning
  windows. Give windows in the kitchen a once over. You’ll find the glass is much prettier and the freshened-up light in the kitchen makes everything look that much more impressive.
• Ready Dishes and Sink: Load all dirty dishes in the dishwasher or handwash them if you don’t have one in your kitchen. Ideally, all dishes should be clean, dry and packed away in designated storage areas when guests arrive. But at the very least, you’ll have an empty sink and clean dishes ready to be pulled for use. You also want an empty sink when it comes time to clean up after meals. Once the sink is empty, wipe it down with cleaner, being attentive to the faucet and drain, too.
• Make Sure Things Smell Nice: A final step to cleaning is making sure things smell pleasant. This is especially important in a room where food is prepared and consumed. Take out the trash and replace with a fresh bag. Then give the room a spritz. Use room freshener spray or light a candle.

If guests are staying overnight, take care of a few additional elements beyond cleaning to prepare for their stay.

• Clean Your Refrigerator: If a guest is spending the night and not just coming by for a dinner or cocktail party, chances are he or she will sneak a peek into the refrigerator – maybe to grab a snack or help with communal cooking. To make sure they aren’t overwhelmed by its contents, you should clean out your refrigerator. Having guests over is a great opportunity to do a deep clean. Remove everything from the appliance’s interior and wipe it down with surface cleaner. It’s not everyday that you will feel inspired to do so, and you’ll get to enjoy a clean refrigerator after the guest’s departure, too.
  If you don’t have time for this, at the very least, go through your refrigerator’s contents and throw out anything old or unappealing. Move large and infrequently used things to the back. In addition to having a nice clean look, you want the refrigerator to have as much space in it for party food as possible. This goes for the freezer, too, where you may need extra space for ice. While you’re at it, wipe up any spills you might find in there.
• Prepare a Coffee Station: There’s a good chance you and your guest will wake at different times. Allow them to start their morning on their terms by setting up a coffee station, complete with a coffee maker, beans and a grinder (or pre-ground grinds if you’d prefer), mugs, spoons and a sugar bowl. This is a homey touch that demonstrates thoughtfulness.
• Leave Out Snacks: Make sure guests don’t go hungry by leaving out a nice array of snacks. Fill a bowl with fruit that can be left unrefrigerated like bananas, apples, stone fruit, melons and citrus. Collect reusable food storage containers or mason jars and fill them with non-perishables like nuts and crackers. Instead of storing in a pantry or cupboard, leave them in a visible spot on the countertop. Other great countertop appropriate snacks include chips, pretzels, baked goods (homemade or store bought) and granola bars.