Before Guests Arrive: 14 Quick DIY Fixes Every Holiday Visitor Will Notice

Before guests arrive for Thanksgiving or Christmas, most of us look around the house and suddenly see every scuff, squeak and messy cord. Do not panic. You do not need a renovation to make your home feel warm and ready. Small fixes are what visitors actually notice: a welcoming entry, a fresh bathroom, a comfy bed and a hallway that is easy to find at night. Most of the ideas below take less than an hour and cost very little. Some take five minutes. Pick a few, put on some music and work room by room. By the time the doorbell rings, your home will feel calm, cozy and ready for a crowd. Here are 14 quick DIY fixes every holiday visitor will notice..

Before Guests Arrive, Refresh the Entryway

The entry is the first thing guests see, so start here. A fresh doormat, a row of sturdy hooks and a small bench make arrivals smooth instead of a pile of coats on a chair. A basket of cozy slippers is a sweet touch, especially if you are a shoes off home. Add a little greenery over the mirror for a festive welcome. It takes one afternoon and sets the tone for the whole visit. What would your guests notice first when they walk in..

You will need: A new doormat, wall hooks, a small bench, a basket, knit slippers, a short greenery garland.

How to make it: 1. Clear everything off the floor and wipe down the door and trim. 2. Mount hooks at an easy height and place the bench below. 3. Add the slipper basket and drape greenery over the mirror.

Guest Bathroom Basket

Overnight guests often forget something, so set this up before guests arrive, so a small basket on the bathroom counter feels like a hotel welcome. Fill it with rolled hand towels, travel size toiletries, a new toothbrush and cotton pads. Guests will not have to ask, which makes everyone more comfortable. It is also a great use for those mini bottles saved from trips. Tie on a handwritten note that says help yourself. What would you put in yours?

You will need: A woven basket, rolled hand towels, travel size toiletries, a spare toothbrush, cotton pads, a small jar.

How to make it: 1. Roll two or three hand towels and line them up in the back of the basket. 2. Fill the front with toiletries and a small jar of cotton pads. 3. Set it beside the sink with a friendly note.

Fluff Flat Pillows and Add New Covers

Flat, tired pillows make a sofa look worn, so fix them before guests arrive. Toss them in the dryer with a couple of clean tennis balls to fluff them up, then slip on new covers. Holiday plaid, cream knit and green velvet look cozy together. Covers are cheap and store flat, so you can swap them each season. Add a chunky throw over the arm and the living room feels instantly inviting. Which colors would match your sofa?

You will need: Pillow inserts, new pillow covers, a throw blanket, clean tennis balls or dryer balls.

How to make it: 1. Tumble the pillow inserts in the dryer on low with dryer balls for 15 minutes. 2. Zip on new covers. 3. Arrange them from biggest at the ends to smallest in the middle.

Hide Messy Cords Behind Furniture

A tangle of cords behind the TV or under a desk makes a room look messy no matter how clean it is. Cable clips, a simple cord sleeve and a cord box can hide them in minutes before guests arrive. Bundle the cords together, run them down the back of the furniture and tuck the power strip inside a box. It also makes cleaning easier and keeps curious pets away from wires. Where is the worst cord tangle in your home?

You will need: Adhesive cable clips, a fabric cord sleeve, a cord box, twist ties.

How to make it: 1. Unplug everything and untangle the cords. 2. Bundle them with twist ties and slide them into a cord sleeve. 3. Stick clips along the back of the furniture and place the power strip in a cord box.

Before Guests Arrive, Fix the Squeaky Door

Nothing announces a midnight bathroom trip like a squeaky guest room door. The fix is quick. Tap the hinge pin up with a nail and hammer, wipe it clean and coat it with a little petroleum jelly or bar soap. Slide it back in and swing the door a few times. The squeak is gone in five minutes. Do one hinge at a time so the door stays on. Which door in your house squeaks the loudest?

You will need: A nail and small hammer, a paper towel, petroleum jelly or plain bar soap.

How to make it: 1. Close the door and tap the hinge pin up from below with a nail. 2. Wipe the pin clean and coat it lightly. 3. Tap it back in and repeat for the other hinges.

Touch Up Scuffed Baseboards

Baseboards collect scuffs from shoes, vacuums and pets. A quick wipe and a touch up of white paint makes a whole room look freshly painted. Use the same paint finish as the trim, and a small angled brush for clean lines. Painter’s tape on the floor protects wood or carpet. It is surprising how much brighter the room looks when the edges are crisp. Which room gets the most scuffs?

You will need: A damp cloth, a magic eraser style sponge, trim paint, a small angled brush, painter’s tape.

How to make it: 1. Wipe the baseboards and erase light marks. 2. Tape along the floor. 3. Paint over remaining scuffs with a thin coat and remove the tape while the paint is still a little wet.

Freshen the Fridge Naturally

Your fridge is about to work overtime, so give it a fresh start before guests arrive. Toss old leftovers, wipe the shelves with warm soapy water and set an open jar of baking soda inside to soak up smells. Clear bins keep fruit, cheese and holiday extras easy to find. It makes room for all the food guests bring and keeps everything smelling clean. Swap the baking soda every few months. What is hiding in the back of your fridge?

You will need: Warm soapy water, a cloth, baking soda, a small open jar, clear bins.

How to make it: 1. Empty the fridge and toss anything expired. 2. Wipe each shelf with warm soapy water and dry it. 3. Set a jar of baking soda on a middle shelf and group food in clear bins.

Before Guests Arrive, Style the Coffee Table

The coffee table is where guests set their drinks and plates, so clear it off and style it simply. A tray, a stack of two books, a small plant and an empty spot for snacks are all it needs. Hide remotes and clutter in a basket underneath. A tidy table makes the whole living room look calm and pulled together. For more clever ways to clear clutter fast, see our brilliant organizing ideas made for the holidays. What will you put on your tray?

You will need: A tray, two books, a small plant or bowl, coasters, a basket for clutter.

How to make it: 1. Clear everything off the table and wipe it down. 2. Place a tray off center with books and a plant. 3. Leave open space for food and put coasters within reach.

Before Guests Arrive, Make a No Sew Headboard

A bed without a headboard can look unfinished, especially in a guest room. Wrap a piece of foam board or plywood with batting and linen fabric, staple the back and hang it on the wall. No sewing needed, and it looks like a boutique hotel. Pick a soft neutral fabric so it works with any bedding. Add fresh towels on the bed and a lamp on the nightstand. Who is staying in your guest room this year?

You will need: A plywood or foam board panel, batting, linen fabric, a staple gun (adult), picture hanging strips or French cleat.

How to make it: 1. Cut the board to the width of the bed. 2. Wrap it in batting and fabric and staple tightly on the back. 3. Hang it on the wall just above the mattress.

Luggage Rack From a Folding Stool

Guests often end up living out of a suitcase on the floor. A folding stool with two webbing straps stretched across the top makes a simple luggage rack, just like a hotel. It folds flat and slides under the bed when guests leave. Wide cotton straps look neat and hold a full suitcase. It is a thoughtful touch people really notice. Do you have a spare folding stool in the garage?

You will need: A wooden folding stool, two lengths of wide cotton webbing, upholstery tacks or a staple gun (adult).

How to make it: 1. Remove the old seat if needed. 2. Stretch two webbing straps across the top and fix them firmly to each side. 3. Set it at the foot of the bed.

Polish Faucets With Plain Vinegar

Water spots make a clean bathroom look dirty. Plain white vinegar in a spray bottle cuts through them fast. Spray, wait a minute and buff with a microfiber cloth for a shine guests will notice. Use vinegar on its own only and never mix it with other cleaners. For shower heads, a bag of vinegar tied around the head overnight clears the build up. It is a five minute job with a big sparkle. Which faucet needs it most?

You will need: White vinegar, a spray bottle, a microfiber cloth, a plastic bag and rubber band for shower heads.

How to make it: 1. Spray the faucet with vinegar and wait one minute. 2. Wipe and buff dry with a microfiber cloth. 3. For a shower head, tie on a bag of vinegar overnight, then rinse.

Fix Wobbly Chairs With Felt Pads

A wobbly chair at the holiday table is no fun for anyone, so test every seat before guests arrive. Often one leg is just a bit short or the floor is uneven. Stick felt pads on every leg, and stack an extra one on the short leg to level it out. If a joint is loose, a little wood glue and a clamp overnight will tighten it. Felt pads also keep chairs from scratching floors when the table is full. How many chairs will be pulled up to your table?

You will need: Felt pads, wood glue, a clamp or strap, a damp cloth.

How to make it: 1. Flip each chair and clean the bottom of the legs. 2. Stick on felt pads, adding an extra layer to any short leg. 3. Glue any loose joints and clamp them overnight.

Before Guests Arrive, Add Hallway Nightlights

Guests do not know your home in the dark. A few warm plug in nightlights along the hallway help them find the bathroom without stumbling or flipping on bright lights. Choose warm white so they feel soft and calm. They are cheap, safe and easy, and kids visiting will love them too. It is a small kindness that makes everyone feel at home. Where would your guests need a little light at night?

You will need: Warm white plug in nightlights, ideally with a dusk sensor.

How to make it: 1. Walk the path from the guest room to the bathroom at night. 2. Plug a nightlight into outlets along the way. 3. Test them after dark and adjust any that are too bright.

Dress the Stair Rail With Greenery

Finish your list of things to do before guests arrive with something purely pretty. A greenery garland on the stair rail makes the whole house feel festive the moment people walk in. Faux garlands last for years, and battery lights wrapped through them add a soft glow. Tie it on with ribbon or soft ties so it never scratches the wood. Home sites like Hometalk are full of quick upgrades like this before the holidays. Which fix will you tackle first?

You will need: A faux greenery garland, battery powered fairy lights, ribbon or soft ties.

How to make it: 1. Drape the garland along the rail in gentle loops. 2. Tie it on every few feet with ribbon or soft ties. 3. Wrap battery lights through it and tuck the battery pack out of sight.