Vernon Hills, Ill., Oct. 14, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Midwesterners may be known for their hospitality, but new survey findings from Rust-Oleum suggest many are putting off invitations until their homes feel ready for company.
During entertaining season, which includes everything from fall gatherings and Halloween celebrations to Thanksgiving dinners, holiday get-togethers and New Year's Eve parties, nearly 8 in 10 Midwesterners (79.6%) say they have delayed inviting people to their homes because they didn't feel guest-ready.
Hosts worry about the house before the meal
The pressure appears to start long before guests arrive. In fact, more than 31% of respondents identified cleaning as their biggest source of hosting stress, nearly twice the percentage who cited cooking (16.8%). More than half say they deep clean before hosting, while nearly half declutter their homes in preparation for guests.
What guests really notice
When asked what they think guests notice first about their homes, respondents most commonly pointed to clutter (24.8%) and cleanliness (24.4%). But when asked what they personally notice first when entering someone else's home, cleanliness (22.4%) and odors (21.6%) ranked ahead of clutter (18.6%).
“One of the most interesting findings is how consumers define a guest-ready home,” said Margaret Knupp, vice president of strategy, execution and insights at Rust-Oleum. “The findings suggest guests aren’t necessarily looking for perfection. They’re looking for a home that feels clean, fresh and welcoming.”
Bathroom worries are real
The survey also revealed an interesting tension around where hosts focus their attention. While the living room receives the most attention before guests arrive (25.2%), concerns shift when homeowners imagine guests seeing parts of the home unprepared. The bathroom (21.0%) nearly matches the living room (21.4%) as the area respondents would be most concerned about guests seeing in less-than-ready condition.
In other words, hosts may spend their time preparing the living room, but the bathroom is often the room they're quietly worried guests will judge.
Connection matters more than perfection
In many cases, respondents acknowledged they may be harder on themselves than their guests are.
One participant offered a simple reminder: “It’s OK if your house looks like people live there!” And another respondent summed up the universal motivation to tidy up before company arrives: “The easiest way to clean the house is to be told someone is unexpectedly coming over in an hour.”
“At its core, entertaining season is about bringing people together,” Knupp said. “The findings suggest Midwesterners aren’t striving for perfection. They’re striving for confidence so they can focus less on preparation and more on connection.”
Methodology
Rust-Oleum commissioned two online surveys among Midwest residents in September 2026 (n=500 per survey). The studies explored entertaining habits, hosting stressors, guest-ready expectations and home-preparation behaviors during entertaining season.
About Rust-Oleum
For more than a century, Rust-Oleum® has been a global leader in manufacturing innovative coatings that empower do-it-yourselfers and professionals alike across categories including small project paints, cleaners, primers, automotive, industrial, high-performance coatings, wood care and abrasives. Its wide breadth of brands and products include such trusted names as Rust-Oleum®, Stops Rust®, Painter’s Touch®, Universal®, EpoxyShield®, Varathane®, Zinsser®, Watco®, MultiSpec®, X-I-M®, The Pink Stuff®, Krud Kutter®, RockSolid®, Ready Seal ®, Wipe New®, Testors®, Seal-Krete®, Mean Green®, Modern Masters®, Moldex®, Whink®, Miracle Sealants®, Roto-Rooter®, Concrobium®, Gator® Finishing Products and RUST-O®, a spray paint designed in collaboration with artists for precision, coverage and creative expression. Visit rustoleum.com for more information. Follow Rust-Oleum on LinkedIn, Pinterest, Facebook and Instagram.
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Vivika Panagiotakakos Rust-Oleum Corporation 224-471-6057 vivika.panagiotakakos@rustoleum.com
