13 Places Clutter Hides When You Have Company Coming

When company’s on the way, the scramble to make your place look clean is real. It’s tempting to stash stuff wherever there’s space, but those hiding spots can backfire. A little clutter in the wrong place can make your whole home feel messy. Here are thirteen places clutter loves to hide when company’s coming.

Kitchen Counter Corners

When you’re in a rush, kitchen counters become the go-to drop zone. Mail, keys, snacks, and random items tend to pile up in the corners. Even if the rest of the counter is wiped down, these little spots of clutter stand out. Try using a catchall tray or clearing the corners daily to keep things tidy.

Dining Room Chairs

If you’re not eating dinner every night at the table, odds are the chairs get used for other things. Coats, bags, or laundry waiting to be folded end up there. It’s a quick way to make the room look chaotic. A quick sweep of each chair before guests arrive makes a huge difference.

Bedroom Floors

Closing the bedroom door only helps if no one’s walking through. Shoes, laundry baskets, and clutter along the wall are easy to forget when you’re focused on the main living space. Spend two minutes tossing things into the closet or laundry room and closing the door behind you.

Coffee Tables

Coffee tables are magnets for clutter. Remote controls, drink coasters, magazines, and receipts can all make the space look messy. Clear off everything but a couple essentials or decorative items. It helps the whole room feel more put together.

Hallway Tables

If you have a small table by the front door or in the hallway, it’s probably covered in stuff. Sunglasses, wallets, junk mail—whatever you set down when you walk in. Take a minute to sort and toss anything that doesn’t belong. These are high-traffic spots your guests will notice.

Bathroom Counters

Toothbrushes, skincare bottles, and hairbrushes spread across the sink can feel overwhelming—even if the bathroom is clean. Keep a small bin under the sink where you can stash everything in seconds. It instantly makes the space feel neater.

Entryway Floors

Shoes, backpacks, and pet gear tend to pile up by the door. Even if everything’s in its place, it can still feel cluttered if there’s too much stuff. Store less-used items in a closet and leave just one or two pairs of shoes by the door.

Under the Couch

Out of sight doesn’t always mean out of mind. Toys, snacks, and old socks have a way of ending up under the couch. A quick sweep with a broom or vacuum can help. If you’re short on time, just double-check that nothing obvious is peeking out.

Kitchen Chairs

Like dining chairs, kitchen chairs often end up holding jackets, purses, or grocery bags. Even just one or two items can throw off the room’s appearance. Hang bags on hooks or move them to another room while guests are over.

Laundry Room Surfaces

Laundry rooms are often small, so even a little clutter goes a long way. Extra detergent bottles, baskets of clothes, and cleaning supplies can pile up fast. Tuck things into cabinets or group them in bins to make the area look more organized.

Closet Floors

Closets may be behind closed doors, but if guests need to hang coats or stash bags, they’ll see what’s inside. Shoes, boxes, and random items on the floor make it hard to find space. Take a minute to clear some room and shift the mess elsewhere.

On Top of the Fridge

It’s easy to forget the top of the fridge exists—until you catch a glimpse of it from across the room. Cereal boxes, paper towels, and kitchen gadgets don’t need to be up there. If you’re short on storage, consider a basket or bin to make it look more intentional.

Kids’ Tables or Desks

Craft supplies, toys, and half-finished drawings have a way of taking over kids’ spaces. If guests are coming, stash supplies in a drawer or use bins to group like items. You don’t need it to be spotless—just tidy enough to blend into the background.

A Little Tidy-Up Goes a Long Way

You don’t have to deep clean every inch of your house when guests are coming. Just knowing where clutter tends to collect can help you focus your time and energy. Tackle a few of these spots, and your home will feel more welcoming in no time.

This article first appeared on Happy From Home.