An organization roadmap is the ideal way for innkeepers (and homeowners in general) to prevent chaos and promote order. We focus on sharing wisdom from Good Housekeeping’s Organize Your Life book.
Getting Started with an Organization Roadmap

First, imagine how you want your B&B or inn to feel. Think about why you want more order, and how that will make your life easier. Next, make a list of all the areas in your B&B or inn that need tidying. Breaking it into small, manageable tasks helps avoid feeling overwhelmed.
Evaluate Your B&B Inn and Write an Organization Roadmap
Then, clean each space before you declutter, so you can see everything clearly. Look at each item and ask: Does it help me right now? Do I have more than one? Does it make me feel good? Is it too expensive to replace? Maybe someone else needs it more. Thus, answering these questions will guide you in deciding what to keep, donate, recycle, sell, or store.
Measure Before Buying Organization Solutions
After trimming down your stuff, resist the urge to buy storage solutions immediately. Instead, measure your space and figure out exactly what you need. This step saves time and money, because you can buy the right storage bins, lazy Susans, or labels to fit your B&B or inn.
Consider Your Daily Patterns
Once your items are sorted, create “zones” that fit your daily patterns. For instance, ask yourself: Where do I usually drop my mail or keys? How do I use the sink area each morning? If you organize around your routine, then everything will have a spot that makes sense.
Develop Checklists to Maintain Your Organization Roadmap
Finally, develop simple cleaning checklists for daily, weekly, and monthly tasks. For example, daily floors, weekly dusting and bathroom freshening, and monthly fridge clean-outs keep your B&B or inn tidy in the long run. In addition, deodorize fabrics and open windows for fresh air.
Thus, by following these steps, you will gain control of your surroundings. You’ll also create a welcoming space that supports your goals and helps you relax. Little by little, you’ll enjoy a neat, inviting B&B or inn each day. Thus, follow each organization roadmap to make a dramatic difference in the way that your B&B inn runs.
Entryway Organization Roadmap

In the “Entryway” chapter of Organize Your Life, Good Housekeeping highlights the importance of creating a welcoming first impression for guests. Think through how visitors enter your inn and what they see the moment they step inside. This space should feel tidy and inviting, not bogged down by packages, mail, or daily clutter. In addition, B&B owners should store personal items—like coats, mail, and shoes—in private living quarters, away from the public entryway.
Foot Traffic and Wallpaper or Paint
The entry itself should be clear of shoes or other belongings on the floor. To keep foot traffic areas neat, maintain both your outdoor and indoor mats, so they trap dirt before it spreads inside. For a friendly first impression, add a fresh coat of paint or choose a cheery wallpaper that sets the tone for the rest of your inn.
Greenery and Art
Greenery can bring life and warmth; consider a potted plant or small arrangement. Meanwhile, art or a statement mirror can serve as a focal point and offer guests a quick way to tidy their appearance before heading to their rooms or social areas.
Summary of Entryway Organization Roadmap
Because this is the first spot guests see, ensure it remains free from everyday necessities that belong in an owner’s private space. By doing so, you create a relaxing environment and enhance your B&B’s professional feel. Think of the entryway as a gracious host—welcoming visitors with bright décor, thoughtful touches, and absolutely no clutter.
Living Room Organization Roadmap

In the “Living Room” chapter, the focus is on choosing stylish yet functional storage solutions and fabrics that stand up to everyday wear. Before reorganizing, decide on performance materials that handle spills easily, and consider placing coasters on coffee tables to protect surfaces. Add personality with a few framed photos, decorative bowls, and throw pillows in pops of color—but avoid overdoing it so the space stays uncluttered.
Walls
Walls can be used for both storage and décor. Consider floating shelves for books or accent pieces, and build in cabinetry to conceal anything you’d rather keep out of sight. Adding accent tables not only fills the room, but also makes it look more pulled together and functional. For a cohesive look, keep the overall design consistent in style and color palette.
Bookshelves
When styling bookshelves, pick an organizing system that suits you—maybe by color, author, or genre. Stagger books both vertically and horizontally for visual interest, and use about two-thirds of the shelves for books, leaving room for photos, plants, or other décor. Children’s storybooks can go on lower shelves for easy access. Delicate objects can stay on higher shelves for safe display.
Entertainment Center
For the entertainment center, keep remotes in a tray or basket. Label cords so you know which belongs to each device. If you have vinyl records or photo albums, consider a sideboard—a long, low cabinet—to store these extras neatly.
Coffee Table
With your coffee table, look for hidden storage, perhaps a design with built-in drawers. Keep clutter in check by displaying a simple bouquet or a single decorative piece, and use baskets beneath to stash items out of sight. Thus, a living room organization roadmap ensures you have an optimal set up for extending hospitality to your guests.
Kitchen and Food Storage Organization Roadmap

In the “Kitchen and Food Storage” chapter, Good Housekeeping emphasizes the importance of planning, decluttering, and using every inch of space wisely. Begin by assessing your kitchen to identify problem areas and underutilized nooks. Next, set your goals, whether that’s quick meal prep or keeping fresh fruit front and center. Sort your kitchen items so you’ll always find what you need, and arrange them according to their use—like spices near the stove.
Countertops
Keep clutter to a minimum on countertops by corralling similar items in containers. Hang pots and pans to free up cabinet space. If storage is tight, install a rack for wineglasses or mugs. Add a wheeled kitchen island if you’re short on counter space.
Refrigerator
For the fridge, take stock often to avoid waste. Assign everything to its own zone—leftovers, condiments, deli meats—and label containers with dates to track freshness. Fight odors with a small, open dish of baking soda. In the freezer, store items flat in labeled, zip-top bags so they “file” neatly.
Cabinets
Cabinets can hold more than you think by adding shelf risers, slim pull-outs, or magazine files to stash wraps and foils. Keep your most-used gadgets in front. Establish a “command center” for reminders, menus, and coupons, and bundle unused plastic bags in an empty tissue box for easy access.
Pantry
Group pantry goods by category, and rotate new items behind older ones. Keep healthier foods at eye level, and label clear bins for quick identification. Use the back of the door for a wall rack to store smaller items.
Under the Sink and Other Organization Roadmap Tips
Under-sink areas benefit from rotating trays, motion-sensor lights, and a mounted paper towel holder. Finally, line drawers with nonslip mats and use dividers for utensils. You can even store baking sheets and pie tins in the oven’s bottom drawer. Thus, a kitchen and food storage organization roadmap can be the improvement that makes a big difference.
Bathrooms and Laundry Organization Roadmap

In “Bathrooms and Laundry,” the focus is on creating calm, efficient areas for both you and your guests. Start by minimizing visual clutter and choosing softer paint colors or accents to achieve a spa-like feel. Make the most of your layout by adding features like dimmable lighting and maybe a small plant or two for a fresh touch. It’s also helpful to provide guests with items like a makeup towel or other essentials to make them feel at home.
Shower and Tub
Use a shower caddy to neatly store body wash, shampoo, and conditioner. This keeps the edges of the tub or shower floor free of loose products.
Laundry Zone
Store your detergent and dryer sheets on a higher shelf, where they’re out of the way but still accessible. Canvas hampers allow you to quickly separate lights from darks, and adding a drying rack (or a space for hangers) helps clothes air-dry neatly. Keep an iron and ironing board close by, so everything you need is in one place. Lastly, place a small basket near the dryer to collect lint after each load.
Linen Closet
Roll and stack towels to save space and keep them easy to grab. Everyday linens should be at eye level, while less-used items can go on higher or lower shelves. Use dividers or clear bins for smaller essentials, and bundle each set of bedding inside a pillowcase for simple access and effortless organization.
Together, these practices ensure your bathrooms and laundry areas feel serene and well-arranged, making daily tasks smoother and more enjoyable. Thus, a bathrooms and laundry organization roadmap is beneficial.
Bedrooms and Closets Organization Roadmap

In the “Bedrooms and Closets” chapter of Organize Your Life, Good Housekeeping emphasizes serene, uncluttered sleeping quarters and well-organized storage. For B&B innkeepers, that means focusing not only on personal needs, but also on the comfort of guests.
Before You Start
- Create Serene Spaces: Opt for soothing colors and minimal décor to maintain a restful feel.
- Elevate Your Lighting: Provide warm, adjustable lighting; bedside lamps or dimmable overhead lights can add a cozy touch.
- Offer Seating: A small bench or armchair helps guests put on shoes or relax.
- Choose Hangers Wisely: Use uniform, sturdy hangers to protect clothing and present a polished look.
Nightstand
- Use drawers or shelves to keep personal items or a guest welcome brochure easily accessible, yet out of sight.
- Hide or neatly bundle cables for lamps, phone chargers, or alarm clocks to maintain an uncluttered appearance.
Guest Room Closet or Under the Bed
- Label storage bins for extra blankets, pillows, or seasonal bedding, so both you and your guests can identify contents quickly.
- Avoid filling this space with personal clutter; remember it’s part of the guest experience.
An Organization Roadmap for Innkeepers
- Consider adding multiple pillows or blankets, so guests can customize their comfort level.
- Reserve an easily accessible closet area for guest use, ideally stocked with extra linens or a luggage rack.
- Keep personal belongings separate in the owner’s quarters to maintain a professional atmosphere.
- Maintain a “no clutter” rule: anything not enhancing the guest’s stay should be stored elsewhere.
By following these guidelines and focusing on a calming ambiance, B&B owners can create a restful retreat that balances style, convenience, and guest-friendly touches. Thus, having a bedrooms and closets organization roadmap ensures you’re serving your guests.
Home Office Organization Roadmap

Running a thriving B&B isn’t just about greeting guests and prepping rooms—it also requires a well-organized home office. To avoid drowning in paperwork, establish three simple categories: Action, Reference, and Trash. The moment you open your mail, decide if it needs immediate attention (Action), should be filed away (Reference), or tossed (Trash). Thus, your desk won’t become a paper jungle.
Supplies and Filing
As you streamline your supplies, opt for canisters or small containers to keep pens, pencils, and paper clips neat. If possible, switch to digital invoices and bills, storing them in labeled folders on your computer. This leads to less clutter and easier file retrieval. Moreover, keep a to-do list front and center—on a bulletin board or computer screen—so your most pressing tasks are always visible.
Paperwork
Remember to protect key paperwork—like guest records, licenses, or insurance policies—by filing them in a lockable drawer or safe. Meanwhile, create a tidy charging station with enough ports and outlets for phones, tablets, and laptops. Moreover, using cable ties or a charging dock helps avoid a tangle of cords.
Computer and Data Security
For computer security, opt for strong, unique passwords and store them in a secure password manager. Moreover, back up essential files to the cloud or an external hard drive. Thus, this not only keeps your data safe, but also streamlines your workflow.
Automation
Finally, take advantage of automation. Use guest reservation software that syncs bookings automatically, and consider a shared drive like Google Drive to keep important documents accessible, organized, and in one place. With a little planning and digital strategy, your home office can run like a well-oiled machine. Thus, a home office organization roadmap lets you focus on delivering an exceptional guest experience.
B&B Consulting
If you’re looking to buy, sell, or invest in a bed and breakfast inn or other hospitality property, Licensed Realtor Rob Sales offers a complimentary first consultation. Rob, and his wife Jane, successfully owned and operated bed and breakfast inns. Morever, Rob has been in the real estate business for several decades. Rob thinks of the right questions to ask on your behalf. Contact Rob Sales today!