Easy ways to refresh your home for guests

Key overview: Easy ways to refresh your home for guests

• Give the guest bedroom a new feel with fresh bed linen, a throw and cushions. Add warm globes to lamps and add a rug to cover tired carpet.
• Use lighting to add a welcoming vibe, layering lamps and wall lights. Improve visibility in the home and at night with LED strip lighting.
• Refresh the bathroom with a deep clean and deal with any mould or grubby grout.
• Give walls a dust and wipe and remove marks with magic erasers. Touch up paintwork.
• Clean the windows and replace or repair any broken flyscreens.
• Wipe down outdoor furniture and refresh the space ready for guests by adding shade, colour and greenery.

Tip: Always wear the appropriate safety equipment (safety glasses, gloves, ear muffs and a mask, for example) and always follow the instructions for the product or equipment.

When guests are expected, you suddenly start seeing all those scruffy bits you've been meaning to tackle. Refresh your home and give your place a guest-ready boost with simple D.I.Y. fixes, style tricks to distract the eye and cleaning tips to make your spaces sparkle just in time for the holidays.

How to update your guest room

Update tired carpet with rugs, and elevate the bed with fresh linen, a throw and cushions. Bunnings lighting buyer Jane Troiano prefers lamps with warm white globes (2700K–3000K) for a cosy, welcoming feel. “Try touch-control or USB table lamps for added convenience,” she says.

How to upgrade the lighting at home

Lighting plays a huge role in your guests’ experience. “Create an inviting living space by layering different lamps and wall lights,” says Jane. “Smart globes will let you adjust the brightness and tone depending on the occasion.” You can also use lights to increase safety. “LED strip lighting can be retrofitted beneath stairs, handrails or along skirting boards to improve visibility at night,” says Jane. This also extends to task lighting. “Under-cabinet LED strips (around 3000K – 4000K) are one of the most effective ways to improve visibility around benchtops, while adjustable downlights will help target food-preparation zones.”

How to deep clean and refresh the bathroom

• Scrub glass surfaces until they gleam and add storage, like shower shelves and extra robe hooks, to keep clutter at bay.
• Grubby grout can often be sorted with a dedicated cleaner and grout brush, or refreshed with a touch-up grout pen. D.I.Y. specialist Natasha Dickins of Little Red Industries suggests first removing any stained or crumbling grout with a scraping tool, then working pre-mixed grout diagonally into the gaps with a rubber float. “Remove the haze that forms on the tiles with a sponge, let dry, then seal. The next day, wipe with a tile-and-grout cleaner.”
• Mouldy sealant is another bathroom downer. “Use a silicone remover tool to scrape off old sealer, then apply a sealant remover to break down residue,“ Natasha says. After applying fresh sealant, remove the excess by spraying with detergent mixed with water and smoothing with a finger.

How to clean walls and touch up paintwork

Use magic erasers to ease away stubborn marks. For a bigger refresh, Natasha suggests a quick spruce-up with paint, especially at eye level. “Clean with sugar soap spray, then mask around switches with painter’s tape. Choose the same colour and paint finish as the original, then touch-up doors, skirting and trim with a mini roller. For walls, use a paint pad for fast, neat edges, and finish with a larger roller. For crisper lines, remove the tape while paint is still wet,” she says.

How to refresh window areas

Grotty or torn flyscreens are a visual let-down and an invitation to bugs. “Remove the frames to replace the old mesh, checking the new spline is the right fit,” says Natasha. “Give the windows a clean, making sure to brush and vacuum along the sills; wash the curtains and wipe the blinds clean, or replace them,” she adds.

How to freshen up outdoor furniture

Outdoor furnishings will likely get a workout over summer. For efficiency, Natasha likes to focus on the surfaces that guests come into contact with, like armrests and coffee tables. “For a quick timber refresh, use nourishing furniture wipes that clean and wax with one pass,” she says. Henry Fudge, Bunnings outdoor furniture buyer, says how you resolve bigger issues will depend on what condition your pieces are in. “For light weathering, start with a thorough clean using warm soapy water and a soft brush to remove dirt, mould, and surface grime,” he says. “For faded or dull timber, once it’s clean and dry, lightly sand the surface. Then apply a fresh coat of timber oil or outdoor timber stain to restore colour and protection.” No time to D.I.Y.? Sometimes new cushions are all you need to revive a tired outdoor setting.

How to create zones in your outdoor space

Creating a spot for alfresco entertaining can be simple. “Focus on defining the area while adding comfort and greenery,” says Henry. He suggests using a pop-up pergola, gazebo, shade sail or large umbrella to provide shade while establishing a dedicated outdoor room. “Position pots and planters around the perimeter to soften hard surfaces, add colour and create a sense of privacy,” says Henry. “Outdoor rugs, cushions and lanterns can instantly make the space feel more inviting and cohesive.” For lighting, he likes string lights, decorative lanterns and solar path lights for added ambience.

Keep in mind...

• Wear a mask and gloves for serious cleaning tasks and store all cleaning products out of reach of children and pets.
• When painting, always wear safety equipment (eye protection and mask) and ensure the room is well ventilated. Keep all paint and chemicals out of reach of children and pets.

Need more expert advice on freshening up your space?

Check out our article on how to deep clean your kitchen, bathroom and garage.

Photo credit: Louise Roche, Arlec, Martina Gemmola.