Holiday Home Prep: Getting Your Baton Rouge Home Guest-Ready for Thanksgiving

With Thanksgiving just ten days away, many Baton Rouge homeowners are preparing to welcome family and friends for the holiday. Whether you're hosting a small gathering or a full house, a little strategic preparation can make your home feel polished, welcoming, and ready for the season.

The Quick Impact Areas

When guests arrive, certain areas make immediate impressions. Focus your energy here for maximum impact with minimum time investment:

Entryway & Front Porch Your entry sets the tone. Sweep the porch, add a seasonal wreath or fall décor, ensure your doormat is clean, and make sure outdoor lights are working. If you have potted plants, refresh them or add mums for instant fall color. A welcoming entrance tells guests they're in for a warm experience.

Guest Bathroom This is where your guests will spend private time and notice details. Deep clean, add fresh towels (consider having extras accessible), stock extra toilet paper visibly, add a small candle or fresh flowers, and ensure hand soap and lotion are full. A basket with travel-size essentials shows thoughtfulness.

Kitchen & Dining Areas Since Thanksgiving centers around food, these spaces deserve extra attention. Clear counters of clutter, deep clean appliances (especially if they'll be visible during cooking), organize pantry and refrigerator to make room for holiday ingredients, and ensure your dining table has adequate seating and good lighting.

Living & Common Areas Where guests will gather should feel comfortable and spacious. Declutter surfaces, fluff pillows and arrange seating for conversation, ensure adequate lighting in all areas, and consider adding cozy throws or seasonal touches without going overboard.

The Overnight Guest Checklist

If you're hosting overnight visitors, go the extra mile to make them comfortable:

• Fresh linens on guest beds, with extras available
• Clear a closet or drawer space for their belongings
• Provide charging stations with various cable types
• Add water glasses and perhaps a carafe on nightstands
• Include basic toiletries they might forget (toothpaste, phone chargers, pain relievers)
• Share your WiFi password in an easy-to-find spot

Quick Refresh Projects

If you have a bit more time this week, these projects make a big difference:

• Touch up paint on scuffed walls or trim
• Clean windows for better natural light
• Deep clean carpets or have area rugs cleaned
• Organize coat closets to accommodate guest coats and bags
• Test smoke detectors and replace batteries
• Ensure all light bulbs are working and brightness is consistent

The Louisiana-Specific Touches

Being in Louisiana, you might incorporate some regional warmth:

• Fresh flowers from a local market
• Louisiana-made soaps or candles
• Regional snacks or treats for guests to enjoy
• Information about local attractions if guests want to explore Baton Rouge

Don't Forget the Outdoor Spaces

If weather permits (and mid-November in Baton Rouge often does), outdoor areas can extend your entertaining space:

• Clear patios of leaves and debris
• Wipe down outdoor furniture
• Test outdoor lighting
• Consider a small fire pit setup if you have one
• Ensure walkways are clear and well-lit for safety

The Week-Of Plan

Monday-Tuesday (Nov 17-18): Deep cleaning, decluttering, any touch-up projects Wednesday-Thursday (Nov 19-20): Guest rooms, bathrooms, kitchen organization
Friday (Nov 21): Final touches, fresh flowers, test all lighting Weekend (Nov 22-23): Light maintenance, grocery shopping, last-minute details Monday-Tuesday (Nov 24-25): Final prep and cooking begins

Thinking Longer-Term

If hosting this Thanksgiving makes you realize your home needs updates or you're ready for more space, now's actually a great time to start planning. The holiday season offers opportunities to see how your home really functions for your lifestyle.

Explore current Baton Rouge listings to see what's available, or if you're thinking about selling in 2026, learn about our proven marketing strategies that help homes sell for top dollar. You can also get a free home evaluation to understand your home's current value.

The Real Goal: Enjoying Your Guests

All the preparation in the world matters less than being present with the people you love. Do what you can this week, but remember—your guests are coming to see you, not to inspect your baseboards. Create a welcoming space, prepare what you can, and then focus on making memories.

Need help preparing your Baton Rouge home—whether for guests or for sale?

Southern Homes Team understands what makes Louisiana homes special. Contact us at movingto225.com for expert guidance on everything from home prep to market strategy!

The Southern Homes Team is consistently ranked among the top Baton Rouge Realtors, verified by RealTrends and recognized as a Best of Baton Rouge award winner!