From now until the new year, a lot of us open our doors more than usual. Football Sundays, Thanksgiving, holiday parties, family staying for a long weekend. A house gets used differently during these months, and the little things you have learned to live with suddenly feel more noticeable when there are guests around.
Starting a few weeks ahead keeps the preparation calm instead of rushed.
Fix what you have been working around
Every home has a few. The guest bathroom faucet that drips. The closet door that sticks. The toilet that runs unless you jiggle the handle. Light switches that control nothing in particular. These are usually quick repairs, and they are the ones guests notice most.
The entry
This is the first thing people see, and in the fall it gets a lot of wear.
Make sure the porch and walkway lights work, since guests will arrive after dark
Check that steps and railings are solid
Set out a sturdy mat, a place for boots, and somewhere to hang coats
Give the front door a good cleaning, or a fresh coat of paint if the weather still allows
The kitchen
The kitchen will work harder this season than at any other time of year.
Run the oven at full temperature before the big day to make sure it heats evenly
Clean the range hood filter and check that the fan works
Test the garbage disposal and clear slow drains now, not on Thanksgiving morning
Clear counter space and make room in the refrigerator
Guest rooms and bathrooms
If people will be staying over, spend a night in the guest room yourself. You will quickly find the lamp that does not reach the bed, the window that lets in a draft, or the shade that does not quite close. In the bathroom, check that the fan works, the shower drains well, and there is a spare roll of paper within reach.
Heat and comfort
Have the furnace serviced before the season gets busy, and change the filter. A full house adds warmth, but a heating problem during a holiday weekend is the last thing you want. It is also a good time to test the smoke and carbon monoxide detectors, especially if you will be cooking more and using the fireplace.
Leave room to enjoy it
The goal is not a perfect house. It is a comfortable one that lets you spend the evening with your guests instead of worrying about the details.
If you would like help checking off the repairs before the season arrives, Houseworks is glad to help. Let us know what is on your list.
