Decluttering your space: What hosts need to know

[Airbnb]

Do your guests really need three bottle openers? What about all those trinkets on the bathroom vanity? Chances are some of the things you’ve been holding on to are just taking up valuable space. And although clearing clutter may be time-consuming, overwhelming, or even emotional, it can go a long way toward making your space more comfortable for guests and more manageable for you.

Whether you welcome guests in a private room or an entire home, get inspired by these host tips for tidying up.

Make your space cleaner than ever

Even if you don’t take a minimalist approach in your personal life, it’s helpful to embrace one when you host. “I find that the less clutter there is, the more clean and tidy the space looks,” says host Kath from Albany, Australia. And guests care a lot about cleanliness—according to Airbnb data, it’s one of the top reasons for a negative review. Less clutter can also make things easier to clean between stays since there’s less to dust or put away.

Free up room for your guests’ things 

Most guests need a place to put some of their clothes, toiletries, and other personal items. So if your own wardrobe has spilled over into the guest’s bedroom, it might be time to let a few things go. “If I haven't used it or worn it in a year or two, it gets chucked,” says host Sarah from Sayulita, Mexico. You may want to free up even more space, especially if you welcome guests for long-term stays like host Jessica from Seoul, South Korea. “I’m sure they’ll have books, souvenirs, family pics, and their own ‘clutter’ of stuff they want to keep on the bedside table or desk or on a shelf,” she says.

Streamline your kitchen and bathroom

Kitchens and bathrooms need to be super functional, and yet they’re often the first areas to accumulate unnecessary items. “I personally don't like it when it looks like everything in the kitchen in the listing is from a jumble sale or stuff that was discarded from elsewhere,” says host Alexandra from Lincoln, California. Think about what guests will really need in those spaces, and remove the rest. Most will appreciate a bottle opener in the kitchen, but they likely won’t need a banana slicer. Conditioner is a nice amenity in the bathroom, but guests probably don’t expect to have four different brands to choose from.

Check regularly for leftover items

Sometimes, guests leave behind perfectly usable supplies (think plastic bags, canned food, or condiments). You might be tempted to hold on to these, especially if they’re unopened. Keep in mind that guest leftovers can add up and that future guests may not feel comfortable using them. Host Michelle from Chicago only keeps “sealed-as-originally-purchased” food and drink items, like “bottled water, soda, single-use condiments, etc.” Consolidating certain things can also help control the clutter: For example, move extra plastic bags into one dispenser, or combine salt from different containers.

Keep amenities organized and easy to reach

You don’t want guests to miss out on all the wonderful amenities you provide simply because they can’t find them. Host Kelly from Austin, Texas, says to “let the space dictate what is there” and not the other way around: “So, if the shelf can artfully hold five towels, then you should not own six towels.” Go through linens and other supplies regularly, and donate or discard anything that isn’t in great shape. Once you’ve streamlined your amenities, think about the best way to display them. Host Chantal from Yvignac-la-Tour, France, has a guest-dedicated cabinet: “It's got everything from small water bottles to toilet paper … all arranged by shelf and category in separate baskets.”

Find the balance between cozy and clutter-free

“Everything in the room should have a purpose with no clutter or unnecessary frills,” says host Kelly from Austin, Texas. “Having said that, it doesn't mean the room shouldn't be stylish or have a lovely, warm, cozy feel.” Of course, there’s no one-size-fits all approach to this—the right balance can depend on your space, property type, and host style. But here are some guidelines to consider:

• Don’t get too personal. Try to keep guest areas free of your family photos, kids’ artwork, or other very personal items.
• Personality, on the other hand, is welcome. Framed local artwork, a quirky piece of furniture, or a one-of-a-kind mirror can make your space stand out.
• Add decorative objects—just not too many. Whether it’s plants, throw pillows, or small sculptures, three-dimensional items can help give your space a homey feel. The trick is to use them sparingly and to arrange them in an intentional way.
• Get inspired by Airbnb Plus hosts, whose spaces are known for cohesive design full of personality. Browse their listings or watch the how-to videos they helped create.

With these tips in mind, you’ll be on your way to a tidier, more welcoming space guests will love. Happy decluttering!

[Adam470]

Mary,

We leave stuff out for people when they come, usually in a wire or woven basket that's nice and fits with our design scheme. The guest then will want some additional counter or storage space to put there things, so they open a empty cabinet and place our supplied items in there (where we originally kept them).

Hope this helps!

[Dee946]

If items are in closed cabinets or drawers, i label the cabinets and drawers with dymo tape. 

[Adir3]

I had a similar situation,  so I purchased a label machine: as an example in the hall closet door: the label says: extra towels, umbrellas, and blankets. I use labels all throughout the Apartment and  Guests feedbacks  have been very positive

[Penny75]

I always give them a tour and show them where thimgs are. A couple of days in send an email or text or leave a personal note under the door and check howmitmis going and ask are they running out of anything and where they can find it. I find low tech personal touch works  this is the point of Air bnb

[Bronwyn38]

Similarly, Penny, I run through the amenities when I greet my guests to their self contained accom on our property, and tell them to read through the front of the info folder when they settle in, and if they have any questions or need something they can't find, to contact me for assistance. I always hook up with my guests before they arrive, via their mobile phone contact, so they can update me if they are going to be late (or early), and then they have handy my direct contact any time they need help.

[Kristi1308]

We always learn from other hosts when we travel! In New Orleans at the AirBNB that we stayed in we found adorable little framed notes and tips in each room. WIFI code, linens, supplies, rules, check out directions. They were in plain sight with some on the walls and some placed on table tops and really added to the unique flavor of this space. Once we were back home I found recycled picture frames, printed out helpful info and am very happy with the effect!

[Bronwyn38]

I stayed in a lovely B and B last year, Kristi, that had a large fridge magnet with their house rules printed on it. It was very tastefully done in nice calligraphy too, and being on the front of the fridge, impossible to miss! I intend to do this in mine, as well!

[Amy_Paul0]

I keep everything  open view( but I can, you may not be able). The amenities you list should be out. Everything else, really is extra. I also SHOW them when they arrive this is where extra is located. And people DO NOT read the info supplied as they should...

[Rebecca-and-Mike1]

We have a label maker and marked where items are in the kitchen on cabinets. It’s a full kitchen it can be confusing so the tiny labels are helpful we believe. 

[Alisa338]

Not sure if this was already answered (so many helpful replies and didn't read al of them!)  What I do in the guest house bathroom is the use of glass and leaving cabinet doors slightly ajar.  For example, I have a full length mirror/medicine cabinet recessed into a wall but you wouldn't necessarily know it opens.  I have it stocked with items that a guest may need - extra toothbrushes, toothpaste, emergency sewing kit, first aid supplies, etc.  I leave it slightly ajar so they know it opens and it invites them to look inside. I also slightly open drawers in the linen cabinet so they can see the disposable razors, shower caps, lint brushes, etc.  Towels are kept behind the glass doors in the linen cabinet. Extra toilet paper is behind glass cabinet doors in a cabinet above the toilet.  The openness of the drawers/door gives it an accessible feeling as well as the visual to let them know what's in there without having to add labels.  If there are items that are not in view I have noted them in my welcome notebook.  

[Marcus21]

I’ve been giving this some thought and maybe the issue here isn’t to brainstorm ways to help guests find stuff..maybe the thing to perfect is choosing better guests in the first place! Let’s face it if someone leaves a below par review because they couldn’t be bothered to look for something or even ask..isnt the thing to working on be weeding this kind of tire kicker out at the request to book stage? I mean..why pander to someone who leaves this kind of comment in review! It’s just a mean thing to mark a host down on. 

my advice prior to anything I’ve previously said about finding things is don’t be instant book..run through things with guests that you expect and find out in return if they have any unusual and possibly unrealistic expectations and be very choosy! 

my feeling is if you get good at this fundamental skill everything else matters much less!  you end up with people who think, look, ask and are kind in review..so many levels of cover there to save you from getting 4 stars for not perfecting the telepathy act of where to put a loo roll so it’s in just the right spot for anyone to find it! 

‘How to find great guests in a few questions”

”what people say during requests and what this says about them as guests on trip” 

two of the kind of article titles  I would like to see in my “fantasy host news”..preferably written by qualified psychologists..experienced police interrogators etc. etc..not other hosts.

[Julie3335]

I had a guest leave a 4.5 rating (instead of 5)  because the "kitchen sink is too small." I guess she wanted to be able to bathe a toddler in it. We clearly say it's a kitchenette in the listing, but they don't read. 

[Bronwyn38]

Ha, Marcus, you tell em!!! You've got me thinking now about my instant book amenity... yes, it would be good to 'vet' potential guests further before you are locked in with no way out except by incurring a penalty!

[8x80]

Yes, I would really like to know how to weed them out.  Can you give us any specific questions that you use?  What are red flags for you?

[Lynn148]

I greet every guest who comes through the door. I am in NYC in quite an old building, so I take them from room to room to show them everything (like how to open the fire-escape gate:) ) I also open the fridge to show them what is there for them.  Since it is my home, I feel that the guests now have a personal connection to me, and my home is left immaculately.