The way a home looks and feels is a reflection of the people who live in it. This means that whether your neighbor stops by unexpectedly or you’re hosting overnight guests, it’s worth considering the kind of impression your home will make. While you might not notice that pile of laundry that’s been sitting in your living room chair or the way your bathroom smells, chances are that others will. With this in mind, it’s a good idea to look at your home with fresh eyes. Check out these simple ways to instantly elevate your home so that when company comes over, you can greet them with a smile.
Start with Your Entryway
When it comes to enhancing the way your home looks, your entryway probably isn’t the first place that comes to mind, but it should be! Your home’s entryway is the first thing visitors see when they walk through your door and the last thing they’ll encounter before leaving. Because of this, taking the time to put together an entrance that is as beautiful as it is functional is well worth the effort. Luckily, creating the perfect entryway is easier than it sounds. Here’s how:
- Bring in a fresh welcome mat for guests to wipe their feet and shed debris from the outside.
- Give people a spot to store their belongings, such as a basket for shoes and a hook for bags and jackets
- Add something stylish, such as a table with a lamp, photographs, and a vase to make the space feel homey
Clear Out the Clutter
Nothing makes a home look worse than rooms that are filled with clutter. Along with causing them to appear messy and disorganized, cluttered spaces can make your home look dark, small, and crowded. The good news is that decluttering your living spaces is an easy, cost-effective way to give your home an instant facelift. Here are some tips to combat the clutter in your home before your guests arrive:
- Work your way around the room in a circle, cleaning up any items that you don’t use, need, or love
- Strive to keep surfaces clear, such as side tables, to help rooms feel open and spacious
- Incorporate furniture with built-in storage to keep your household essentials neatly tucked away
The Nose Knows: Think About How Your Home Smells
The way your home looks isn’t the only factor to consider when trying to impress house guests; its scent can make or break the way a person feels about your place. If you aren’t sure if your home smells unpleasant, ask a neighbor or friend to come by and give their honest opinion. For rooms that are prone to bad odors, such as the bathroom and kitchen, it’s particularly important to consider how to keep them smelling fresh. Taking out the trash regularly and keeping the sinks clean is a great place to start. Likewise, adding a plug-in air freshener, an essential oil diffuser, or fresh flowers are all simple steps that can make a big impact on the way your home smells. And in a pinch, don’t be afraid to open a window to let in some clean air before your guests arrive.
Greet Guests with Greenery
Never underestimate the impact that a few potted plants can have on the atmosphere of your home. If you’re looking for an easy way to add a pop of color, bring in much-needed texture, or simply enhance the warmth and coziness of a particular space, you can’t go wrong with investing in a houseplant or two. Along with being affordable and stylish, houseplants come in a variety of options to meet your specific decorating preferences and, of course, the level of commitment you’re willing to put into maintaining plants. Don’t have a green thumb? No problem! Even an artificial plant or two can go a long way in making your living room, bedroom, or kitchen look bright and inviting.
Light the Way
There’s no doubt that the way you illuminate your home can dictate its entire ambiance. When your home is well-lit, it will appear bright, inviting, and open. On the other hand, if your home is poorly lit, it will probably feel dated, dreary, and small. For this reason, it’s important to think about how you balance natural and artificial light sources in every room of your house. When thinking about how to best light up a room, consider what the space will be used for. Some rooms should be lit brightly, such as bathrooms and kitchens, while others would benefit from warm lighting, such as bedrooms and living rooms. Bringing in a combination of ambient, task, and accent lights can make each space feel balanced and polished. Finally, don’t forget to maximize natural light as much as possible by not blocking windows and strategically placing mirrors to make each room feel bright and airy. The result will be a home that looks thoughtful and attractive.
Don’t Forget the Bathroom
While you may be able to close your laundry room door and hide the piles of unfolded laundry that you’d rather your guests not see when entertaining, there’s one room that you simply can’t avoid letting visitors take advantage of when they’re in your house: the bathroom. Whether your bathroom is neat and tidy or leaves a lot to be desired, when your friends pop into the powder room, they’ll discover the truth for themselves. If you struggle to maintain an orderly bathroom, taking steps to make the process easier for you may be helpful in keeping the task manageable rather than overwhelming. Here are some tips to try:
- Each night, take a few minutes to pick up dirty clothes and put your toiletries where they belong.
- Choose one day a week when you give your sink, tub, and toilet a wipe down. Remember, it’s easier to clean a tidy room than a filthy one.
- If you struggle to keep up with your bathroom, consider hiring a maid to come once or twice a month, so you never have to worry about guests dropping in.
Wow Your Guests with Furniture from Star
If you’d love to take your home to the next level, but don’t know where to start, the experienced team at Star Furniture is here to help. Visit us online or check out our social media pages to find the inspiration you need to create living spaces that you’ll be excited to show your guests!