Choose the room you invite the visitor into with care. If you have a choice, choose a warm room that is tidy. If you have to invite them into a room over run with laundry or papers, apologise and quickly stuff what is one the tables and chairs into a basket. 'I was just finishing now', 'time for a break' explain your actions. No guest wants to look at your crumpled pillowcases. Turn the television off!