The holidays are almost here, and with the United States continuing to amp up its vaccination efforts, there is no reason we can’t gather with family and friends as the year ends. Now is an excellent time to start prepping your home to ensure that the details create a warm, cozy, and welcoming vibe.
With many guests on their way to see your home for the first time since the public health crisis began, one of the best things you can do as a homeowner is to pay attention to the small details. You can then style and prep it in a way that embraces your loved ones.
Here are some simple ways to ensure that your home looks and feels warm and welcoming for your visitors.
Prioritize your home’s curb appeal
The first thing that your guests see is your home’s exteriors, which is why now is the best time to do some maintenance and upgrades. Here is a checklist of what you can do:
- Hire professionals to have your home’s garage door repaired or repainted, especially if it hasn’t received a lot of love since the pandemic started. Garage doors are prone to vandalization and wear and tear, so giving it some tender loving care can and giving it a repair or repaint job can easily transform your front yard.
- Inspect your property for broken windows, hairline fractures, and chipped paint, and address these minor issues immediately. These problems may seem small at the moment, but they can cause long-term problems when neglected.
- Give your bushes and trees a much-needed pruning and grooming. You also want to ensure that the walkways to your home are not being obstructed by branches or dead or diseased wood.
Style your entryway
The second thing your visitors will see is your home’s entryway, which is why it’s also crucial to spruce it up a little. Here are some tips for styling your entryway, no matter its size:
- Establish a functional checkpoint where your guests can comfortably remove their coats, scarves, and masks and where they can sanitize their hands. Plus points if there is a seating area, especially if it also serves as a mudroom where you want your guests to remove their shoes so that they can put on some indoor slippers.
- Keep it simple and stylish. The last thing you want is a maximalist entryway, especially since it might end up crowding your home’s entrance. Make sure that everything you put in the entryway serves a purpose, both in function and aesthetics.
- Like every room in the house, it must have an anchor piece or a focal point. Your best bet is the console table with a statement mirror on top of it.
Incorporate plenty of layers
Nothing communicates warmth more than layers and textures upon textures. This styling tip is especially crucial during this season since we’re fall and winter are fast approaching. Here are some ways to incorporate warm layers into your home styling:
- Opt for items that evoke warmth and softness to the common areas and ones that invite your visitors to lounge and relax. This means opting for a warmer and more neutral color palette instead of loud and vibrant ones and using textiles and fabrics that invite guests to snuggle in. This includes pieces made of knitwear and even faux fur.
- One design element you can explore is a blanket ladder you can put up against an empty wall, and you can hang more blankets on it that your guests can pick up as needed. Not only does it look beautiful, but it’s also functional.
- Area rugs can also make or break the atmosphere of a room, so don’t hesitate to use a few for your common areas to add dimension and interest.
Use warm-toned lighting and layer it
A welcoming space provides a warm glow. Think about it: When you want to wake up and be energized, cool-toned lighting is the way to go, which is why it’s also the type of lighting designers use for gyms and offices. But if you want to evoke a spirit of comfort and relaxation, warm or yellow-toned lighting is the best way. Layer your lighting by incorporating area lamps and even scented candles to fight against harsh lighting and to have multiple sources so you can dim it according to your need.
Being able to receive guests is one of the most wonderful privileges of homeownership. Make sure your house is ready to embrace and welcome your visitors during the holidays.
