When guests come to your home you want them to feel welcome. The last thing you want is for them to come in and look for excuses to leave as soon as possible. Otherwise, you wouldn’t be inviting them over in the first place.
You want to make a good impression with your space and for your guests to feel comfortable sticking around for a little. But, how do you create this kind of environment?
Keep walkways clear
There are actually a couple of things to keep in mind as you make your space more inviting. One of the big things to consider as you create your space is its cleanliness. Lots of clutter can scare guests away, it can also make them uncomfortable. You want entry ways to be clear and there to be plenty of walking space for your guests to move about freely, without fear of tripping or having to follow a maze around things. Needless to say, you should make sure your furniture is dusted, your windows clean and your flooring swept or vacuumed.
Also, be sure to have a space for guests to hang their jackets, place their footwear and anything else they bring with them. This can help cut down the clutter in the space in which you’ll be socializing.
Consider your furniture
While considering your space, make note of what type of furniture you have available in the space. Although you do want to have enough seats to offer your guests, you also don’t want the space to be too crowded. You want it to feel cozy, but also roomy. So, be sure you’re allowing some seating options for your guests, but also taking care not to filll the room with oversized furniture. Make sure your furniture is also helpful to your guests. Your guests may be uncomfortable holding a snack or a beverage in their hands for a long time. Instead, be sure you have a side table or a coffee table nearby that they can use to place these items while you’re visiting. It also helps to cut down on spills, since your guests won’t be tempted to place these items on the floor when they’re not eating or drinking.
Pick flooring wisely
Be sure you’re taking this into consideration. There are many flooring choices, so allow time to consider what tone you want to set in your space when you’re filtering through your options. For example, hardwood flooring can add warmth to a room. It’s a classic look that lasts for years. Plus, it’s versatile, beautiful and great for most spaces. Then, there’s carpet, which can create a cozy feeling, helping to encourage guests to take their shoes off and stay a while. And, an area rug can be a focal point, or even a talking point. Such a rug can add a pop of color and it looks lovely over hardwood, laminate, tile or resilient vinyl flooring.
Give your walls personality
You don’t want your space to look cluttered, but you also don’t want it to have a “cold” vibe. The room should have personality. You can give walls a fresh coat of paint or apply an interesting wallpaper to liven up the space. Decorate your walls with pieces of artwork and loved ones’ photos. If you see a cool idea for the ceiling, go for it. You can paint it or add a unique ceiling tile. And, don’t forget about the lighting that hangs from your ceiling.
Put a spotlight on your lighting
Unique lighting pieces can be interesting focal points for a room. Lighting also can help create the ambiance/mood you’re looking for. During the day, make sure to open up your curtains/blinds to allow in the natural sunlight. When it’s evening, try dimly lit overhead lights, lamps and some candles. If you are having an evening gathering, create an inviting entrance with lights that provide an easy-to-see pathway for your guests.
Make the room comfy
Think of ways you can help your guests feel comfy. Add plush throws and pillows to the furniture. Not only is it cozy, it will invite your guests to get comfortable for a while.
Create an inviting ambiance
Pick out some tunes to play while your guests are over. Choose the music to fit your guests and the environment you wish to create. Also, use pleasing aromas to fill the space with warmth. There are multiple fragrances to choose from and a variety of ways to fill your room with them. Consider this article from Good Housekeeping when you’re looking for ideas on how to fill your home with the right scent.
There are many ways to create a home that is inviting to not only you, but also your guests. Take steps today to consider what tips you want to use to create a more welcoming space.