Designing A Home That Is Inviting To Our Guests
Have you ever walked into a home, and it just felt right? It felt like a place where you could relax, have great conversation, and it was somewhere you just wanted to stay for awhile? How do those people do it? What’s their secret to creating a home that feels this welcoming to guests? There is no magic potion that creates an aesthetic that feels this way-these people have just learned the tricks of the trade on how to make their homes a welcoming and inviting environment. And yes, the company that you keep is very important, however, it’s not the only aspect that makes a home feel like home.
Here are my tips for making your guests feel at home:
Declutter-this is a big one. Get rid of things you have not used in two years, and organize your belongings. Sometimes for me that just means throwing things in the guest bedroom closet upstairs when we have company. Studies show that clutter adds to anxiety and depression, so when we walk into a home that feels somewhat organized, we feel as though we can breath. For me, that even means taking a look at my decor. Sometimes I can go overboard with it, and it definitely stresses my husband out. I make sure people have enough room to put their glasses on the coffee table and side tables. I even add coasters in those places because some people get nervous about putting a glass down without one. I’m automatically taking away any stress for my guests!
Add Plants-Adding plants brings the outside in, and a bit of nature is always good for the soul. And here’s my secret: I kill every live plant that I buy, so I always use fake plants. If some decorators tell you not to use these, then don’t listen. :-)
Bring Natural Light In-Opening your blinds and/or curtains allows for natural light to stream in. Natural light is a mood booster for us, so that is an easy way to up the mood in your home. If it’s at night, add some lit candles. Candles instantly bring warmth to a space. Speaking of candles…
Light Candles-Light some taper candles, or use the battery operated candles in several places in your home. Candles are THE trick to making a space feel cozy and inviting.
Turn Off Overhead Lighting-Yep. Don’t use any overhead lighting unless you have a dimmer on that light. Bright lighting makes people feel like they are in the office or under investigation. Use candles, sconces, art lights, and lamps to create a really inviting space.
Add A Scent-I use Pura and/or candle warmers to make my home smell inviting. I try to pick fresh scents, or scents that match the holidays. I always turn them on medium to low because some strong scents bother people. Even washing the throw pillow covers or couch covers can bring in a fresh scent. You just want that dog smell out of there, and replace it with a smell so good people will ask you about it. I have included some of my favorite seasonal scents below.
Create Seating That Invites Conversation- We hosted a neighborhood party at our house one year, and I created basically a circle of seating on our back porch with side tables and small rechargeable lamps. Guess where everyone spent most of their time? Yep, on our back porch and in those seats. It was easy for guests to relax out there because everything was already set up for them, and it felt cozy and inviting.
My biggest tip is for you to brainstorm how you want the night to go. Do you want a dance party, or do you want people to feel relaxed and open to conversation? Believe it or not, you, as the homeowner, create that feeling for your guests. You have more power than you think because simply by doing these few things I have listed, you can ensure a great night for everyone (even you because you know your guests are having fun!).
Here are some of my favorite seasonal scents:
Favorite Candles
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Pura Scents
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