Nothing brings people together like the holiday season. Careful planning can mean the difference between having no room at the inn and accommodating everyone in comfort and style. Start preparing now with some easy tips and simple home improvement projects to make your home a relaxing refuge for loved ones to congregate and celebrate.
1. Roll out the Welcome Mat
Your home's front entrance makes an important first impression. Spruce up your entryway with a fresh coat of exterior paint on the front door. If the trim is starting to look weathered, scrape and repaint those areas as well.
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While you have your paint can open, paint decorative planters or window boxes in the same color as your trim or door. Fill the window boxes with real or artificial holly branches, pine boughs, or bay leaves. Add a decorative — and helpful — touch by painting your house numbers on one of the planters using a stencil and spray paint.
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2. Clear the Entryway
When your guests arrive, they'll likely be laden with suitcases, food, gifts, and more. Whether they enter through a front, side, or back door, clear a pathway free of shoes and other obstacles so you can greet visitors without creating a traffic jam.
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With people coming in and out of cold and wet weather, you may want to consider adding a mudroom. Whether you build a new room or convert an existing space, protect your floor with a durable rug, add lots of storage, and consider including a small bench or chair for taking shoes on and off to make the most of this hardworking space.
Next Tip3. Fashion a Hotel-Style Guest Bath
The bathroom will be many visitors' first stop after arriving at your home. Before guests arrive, light a scented candle in your spare bathroom, and dim overhead lighting to its halfway point (read How to Install Dimmer Switches) to provide a relaxing, spa-like environment.
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Simple, budget-friendly updates can quickly elevate your bathroom's style. Focus first on upgrading your bathroom's lighting and faucets, which are the areas guests will notice first. These improvements require a modest investment and are fairly easy to install.
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Bring storage out of the shadows so guests know where to find extra towels and toiletries — glass shelving adds organization, while keeping your space light and airy. As a final touch, fill baskets with small containers of shampoo, lotion, and bath salts. Add a few spare toothbrushes and mouthwash — this will allow guests to freshen up after their journey without having to unpack their bags.
Next Tip4. Bring Order to Kitchen Chaos
Your kitchen is the heart of your home, and the place people inevitably gather. Organize your kitchen before everyone arrives so guests can help themselves. Installing a pot rack will free up valuable counter space and give you space to prepare meals alongside a few helping hands.
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No matter how comfortable your home's living areas are, the aroma of holiday cooking will lure your guests toward the kitchen. Rather than shooing nosy sniffers away, add stools or benches around the perimeter of your kitchen so guests can spend time with you without getting in the way of your culinary masterpiece.
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Consider setting up a coffee bar outside of the kitchen. Simply moving the coffeemaker, cups, and coffee extras around the corner will allow jet-lagged visitors to help themselves to a caffeine pick-me-up without clogging traffic during breakfast preparations. If you don't have an outlet handy, provide hot water, coffee beans, a grinder, and a French press.
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A message board can help keep things organized while you're sharing your home. Let guests know what time dinner will be served, where to find extra napkins or other important information by creating a simple cork and plywood message center.
Next Tip5. Provide a Soft Place to Land
At the end of the day, your guests will be eager to retire to a comfortable bed. Keep your guest bedroom neat and uncluttered so guests can spread out as much as they like. Once you've streamlined the space, add some personal touches: a couple of good books, a framed photo of you and your guest, and some fresh flowers can make visitors feel as though your home is their haven.
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Supply extra blankets to accommodate chilly guests, and consider installing a ceiling fan to provide cool air to those who may get hot. This allows guests to customize the temperature in their room without affecting other guests who may also be staying in your home.
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Illuminate the guest room using a variety of table lamps and floor lamps for a soft, welcoming glow. Include night-lights (try an LED version for increased energy efficiency) throughout the house in case someone goes in search of a midnight snack.
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