While honesty is all good and righteous, sometimes protecting one’s image when hosting guests takes precedence. Balancing transparency with a touch of social grace can help create a more comfortable and welcoming environment, making sure guests are comfortable and that the host’s reputation remains intact.
It’s about avoiding misconceptions and managing a situation to avoid the dreaded ‘slob’ or ‘lazy’ label. And some days, our homes look like a tornado ripped right through the center of the house (and no one wants to see that!).
We’ve all hidden things, from cluttered closets to personal quirks, behind the facade of a perfectly arranged living space when company comes over. Let’s reveal into 15 things people prefer to keep hidden when they have guests. We gathered our insights from trusted home publications and life hackers to bring you the most common items we all quickly tuck away.
1. Dirty Dishes
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Dishes in a sink may be common in many homes, but that doesn’t make them pleasant. Some might quickly hide dirty dishes in the dishwasher or sink to give the impression of a clean kitchen. (Don’t we all do this anyways to make the kitchen feel less messy in a pinch?)
2. Medication
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Prescription medications might be kept out of sight to maintain privacy and avoid potential judgment. Other times, people don’t want to deal with the questions that might arise from people seeing the medication they take.
There are safety concerns here too if pets or little ones are coming around, so putting them away is a smart move regardless of other worries.
3. Unmade Beds
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Guests may not see the bedrooms, so people sometimes leave unmade beds rather than spending time tidying them up. This may lead to people keeping doors locked to keep guests away from the bedrooms. Hopefully, the guests don’t ask for a tour!
Personally, this is why I always tidy my rooms. In case someone needs to use our master bathroom or a child inevitably snoops around.
4. Unfinished DIY Projects
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Half-finished projects or DIY endeavors might be tucked away in a garage or storage area. Or perhaps having guests arriving soon will finally be the motivator to get that long-awaited project finally done!
5. Dirty laundry
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Laundry tends to pile up in certain parts of the house, like our bathroom and bedrooms. Dirty laundry might be quickly thrown into a hamper or the washer or hidden away in closets to keep it from sight. Hopefully it’ll be a motivator to get a few loads done and put away!
6. Pet Messes
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Although your guests may be aware that you have pets, many people don’t want their guests walking into a cat’s litter box. Any accidents or pet-related messes might be quickly cleaned up or hidden before guests arrive.
7. Personal Hygiene Items
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Some hosts may worry about guests walking walk into their personal items when they’re using the bathroom. Toiletries and personal hygiene items might be stored in cabinets or drawers to maintain privacy. They don’t need to know what tooth paste you use or that you use prescription strength deodorant.
8. Undergarments
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Undergarments are essential and universal but totally tend to feel private. Most people will toss them into a drawer or closet to keep them out of sight (or again, lock the bedroom door).
9. Financial Documents
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Important financial documents or bills may be hidden from view to maintain privacy and security. You don’t necessarily want people to see how much you pay for your mortgage or earn.
10. Unpleasant Odors
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It may be from the dog’s pee on the carpet or a smell we can’t locate, but masking unpleasant odors is a common practice for hosts if the house smells a little less than ideal. Opening windows, air fresheners, or candles might mask any unpleasant odors in the home.
11. Stained Items
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Stains can be unsightly, and trying to explain the big brown one on your throw pillow isn’t the best conversation starter. Stained items are quickly tucked away from sight.
12. Sensitive or Controversial Belongings
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Items with sensitive or controversial themes or messages might be removed to avoid potential discomfort or conflict. Some guests aren’t as open-minded as you’d like. Many will tuck away the political satire and avoid awkward conversations or explanations.
13. Clutter
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Cluttered closets or storage areas might be quickly closed or hidden behind closed doors. A storage area looking like it just survived a hurricane isn’t the best sight for your guests.
14. Journals and Notebooks
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It’s good to keep journals with private information hidden from the sight of curious, prying eyes. You don’t want all your private information accidentally exposed.
15. True Emotional State
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People often hide their true emotions in front of visitors to avoid appearing vulnerable. False happiness is common, and someone may muster the courage to entertain guests even when struggling emotionally.
While it’s natural to want to conceal our not-so-perfect homes and moments, true ties and shared moments are what really count. Real connections are what really make hosting memorable.