Inspector's coming tomorrow, but your kitchen's still a disaster—what do you do?

I get where you’re coming from, but I wouldn’t totally ignore the mess either. Inspectors might not care about a few dishes, but if the kitchen looks chaotic, it can give them the impression you’re not on top of things. I’ve had one linger longer than usual just because tools were scattered around. Like you said,

“safety trumps aesthetics every time,”

- Totally get the urge to just focus on safety stuff, but I agree a quick sweep helps.
- I’ve noticed inspectors appreciate when things look organized—even if it’s just tools stacked in a corner instead of all over the counters.
- Doesn’t have to be spotless, just not chaotic.
- Honestly, last time I shoved everything into a box and stuck it in the hallway... no complaints.
- You’re right though, safety first, but a little order never hurts.

I get the temptation to just box everything up and stash it out of sight, but I’ve actually had an inspector ask about stuff left in the hallway before. Maybe it depends on the person, but I’d be a little cautious about moving clutter from one problem area to another. Sometimes a quick sort—like grouping tools by type or project—makes things look intentional, not just hidden. Plus, if you’re working with eco-friendly materials or have leftover paint/chemicals, it’s safer to keep them where they’re meant to be, not just shoved somewhere random. Just my two cents...

Honestly, I’ve had inspectors who barely glance at the kitchen and others who seem to notice every little thing. Sometimes, if I’m really pressed for time, I’ll just toss stuff in a big laundry basket and stash it in the car or even the backyard shed for an hour. Not ideal, but it gets the job done in a pinch. I get wanting everything to look intentional, but sometimes you just need a quick fix, especially if you’re juggling work and kids. As long as nothing’s blocking exits or vents, I’ve never had anyone complain.

Honestly, I’ve had inspectors who barely glance at the kitchen and others who seem to notice every little thing.

Honestly, I’ve done the laundry basket trick too—sometimes you just need a quick way to clear the counters. I get what you mean about inspectors being all over the place. One time, mine spent ten minutes talking about the water heater and barely looked at the kitchen. As long as you’re not blocking anything important, like you said, it’s usually fine. I always double-check outlets and vents just in case, but I don’t stress too much about the rest. You’re definitely not alone in this.