Jump to navigation links Jump to main content Jump to footer links
A Checklist for Preparing Your Home for the Holidays

A Checklist for Preparing Your Home for the Holidays

Friends gathered for a holiday party

The holidays are synonymous with family get-togethers, impromptu social gatherings, parties, overnight guests, and the like. As such, your house has to be on its best behavior and ready to go at a moment’s notice. This handy room-by-room guide will help you create a holiday-ready home the easy and stress-free way. After all, there’s no place like home for the holidays.

RAC Kitchen

Start at the heart of it all.
The kitchen is the heart of the home, so have the whole family chip in to give the space a good clean beforehand. Because you’ll be cooking and storing more food than usual, it’s a great time to upgrade your stove, refrigerator, and freezer. Try and plan big meals ahead of time with a recipe list so that you’ll know exactly how many dishes you’ll be cooking — and how much heavy lifting your appliances need to do.

Consider renting a new dining set for the kitchen or dining area if you’ll have more people gathering around the table than usual.

RAC Holiday Living Room

Freshen up your living room.
Whether unwrapping presents around the tree or gathering on the sofa to watch the game, everyone will be spending lots of time in this space. Simple things like new pillow covers, a bright rug, or a cozy throw in holiday shades can help to tie the room together.

If it’s time to update your TV, consider opting for a big-screen model so that everyone gets a good view of the action. If lots of kids are coming, a video game system can help keep boredom at bay. And make sure there’s at least one comfy place to sit for Grandpa or Grandma.

RAC holiday bedroom

Feather your bed and bath for your guests.
If your guest room could use some sprucing up, a new set of cozy flannel sheets is a good place to start. Wash all your pillows, and make the room feel like a home away from home with a vase of dried or fresh flowers, a stack of books, and bottled water on the bedside table.

If you really need to revamp the space, it’s as good a time as any to swap out your mattress or even update your bedroom set to give the room a complete makeover. Remember, you’ll want your guests to feel as if they have a place to call their own during their stay.


The bathroom is another area you’ll need to prep for heavy traffic. Give it a good declutter first. Follow up by cleaning or replacing the shower curtain and adding new guest towels. Make sure you have plenty of toiletries for everyone, and invest in a holiday-themed scented candle to keep the room smelling sweet. Small touches like these will go a long way in helping your guests get in the holiday spirit.

About Us

The good things in life don’t have to be out of reach. Rent-A-Center is here to make the things you want and need accessible, and Front & Center is your resource for living well on a budget.

Each week, we’ll bring you tips and tricks for infusing simplicity, style—even a little fun—into every aspect of your life and home. From decorating advice to money-saving strategies to opportunities to share with others like you, we’ll give you ideas that inspire. Live well, friends. And send your submissions, suggestions and questions for the blog to blog@rentacenter.com. For all customer service inquiries, please contact our Solution Center team at 1-800-422-8186.