You get a phone call, you see a text message, maybe you even get an email – a friend or guest is 'stopping by' in 5-10 minutes. What do you do? Well, if you have a larger home with several rooms – you close all the doors and quickly tidy up the most visible spaces, and the bathroom, just in case. However, if you're involved in apartment living or have a smaller home, then more rooms than necessary might be exposed and the tidying up will need to be strategic and quick!
If you're going to have a sleepover, or a special bedroom guest, we have a quick 6-minute chart to help you tidy up, while making your room appear like it was beautiful and perfect all along. From picking up clutter, to setting the right mood with lights, you will be amazed that all you need is six minutes to make a space look acceptable and quite welcoming!
So you've gotten the news and the countdown is on. In the first minute, make your bed – and make it well. Tuck in the corners, make sure the bedding that hangs over each side is even, roll down the top of the bedding and fluff the pillows. As an added extra, rub your hands down the entirety of the bed to remove wrinkles and crevices – maybe even throw a blanket or towel set on there too, like seen in this example.
Now, step back. You will be absolutely amazed at how much difference making your bed can, well, make! Want some extras to make your newly made bed seem more special, if not professional? Check out this wonderful bedroom example for more ideas!
After finishing with you bed, rush to the windows, open them fully (even if it's in the middle of the winter – cold air is better than no air) and pull back the curtains. Most people will choose to spray fragrances and 'air fresheners' – but that should only be a last resort!
Fresh air will make all the difference – open them for about five minutes, or until your guest(s) arrive. Lastly, for something special, light a great candle, or spritz your favourite perfume just one time. For more options that are consistent and constant, think about plug-ins that push out fragrance on a timer-effect – or better yet, go the tried and true old-fashioned way – a fresh bouquet of flowers!
For great bouquet and flower options, check out these landscape architects based in Mexico and their beautiful designs!
Ok, so the bed is made spotless, the windows are open, the fresh flowers are in water and sitting on the night stand – now, it's time to pick up all the clutter that everyone's bedroom typically accumulates. Shoes, underpants, clothing, books, magazines, pens, small throws, scarves – and millions of other items we all know exist.
Our bedroom is our one place to truly feel the most comfortable. It's where our daily and nightly routines are most present. The good news is that all of these items are smaller, so quickly stick them in their respective places, or place them in storage boxes and put them out of sight to return to them later!
Up to minute four! Two minutes left until that doorbell rings! We all know that since we feel most comfortable in our bedroom that we tend to let everything lay. Under pants, feminine products, personal hygiene products – maybe even books or magazines that are near and dear to our hearts we don't want anyone knowing about.
Now, depending on the type of guest that will be arriving, this will probably determine what we do with these items. If it's someone we are most close and intimate with, it's still nice to pick these things up, but don't worry about hiding items in the most discrete locations. However, we suggest you place these items in a storage container, or if they include clothing, place them in laundry to make your life easier later.
Quickly taking care of the floor is incredibly important because it says a lot about you, even if the rest of the room is completely clean. This will mean doing what we've mentioned before, tidying up, picking up small and embarrassing items – and lastly, sweeping and vacuuming to make sure everything is done.
As bedrooms will naturally accumulate hair, dust and the likes, making sure you're vacuuming and taking care of the details is really where the knowledge lies!
Finally! You've finished everything else, your bedroom looks like it's from a magazine (well, maybe) and now you're making the finishing touches. First of all, be proud of yourself, to approach a space so strategically and work so hard for that special guest says a lot about you as a person and as a homeowner.
Make sure the lighting is perfect. This should firstly be done with using all the natural light that you possibly can. If your guest is arriving in daylight, simply use natural light with open windows and the hint of candle light (because remember, you're lighting those candles for great smells.) If it's evening hours, maybe close the window shades, light the candles for a more romantic feel and turn on more dim interior lights.
Lights are the best way to set the mood in any space in your home, of course naturally, your bedroom is of no exception.
Check out the great lighting in this bedroom! It can really change everything!