Hosting occurs often in our homes, especially during the winter months when going out with friends and family is more difficult due to bad weather. Your home can be a cosy place for your loved ones to gather, eat, have a laugh and stay for a while. You may see guests overnight or host fun evenings and dinner parties. Whatever type of hosting you are doing, follow these ways to transform your home for hosting guests and be the best host possible for everyone you love.
Set a good first impression
When you are hosting, first impressions count. This means your entryway instantly sets the tone for the entire experience your guests are going to have. Starting with your entryway is the best way to ensure you have a good first impression. It needs to be as inviting as the rest of your home.
Try putting a statement rug in the hallway to prevent muddy shoes from trailing through your home while making a cosy and inviting entrance. Ensure to choose a rug that’s durable and stylish that has a pop of colour to go with your décor. You could use outdoor rugs that are easier to clean while adding style to your entryway.
Add greenery or a candle to create a warm and welcoming atmosphere which sets a good vibe for guests. Ensure the entryway is functional while keeping a stylish feel. You could have a small table for guests to put their keys on or a mirror for last-minute outfit checks for parties. Add a sleek coat rack for guests to hang coats neatly and keep the entryway clutter-free. Once the entryway is done, ensure to keep the same atmosphere and cleanliness across your home.
Find the right layout
For the room you are using to host in, you need to design a clever and functional layout to get everybody mingling. Usually, we would face furniture and seating toward the TV, but this is an instant conversation killer. Position seating to face inwards for when you are hosting so that you can look at your guests while talking. Ensure they are close enough to hear everybody over music, noise, and chatter.
Doing this can make the room look random with furniture in the middle of the room. To avoid this, create a clear zone for the area where you can put a large rug in to create a visual boundary. Ensure between all furniture there is clear circulation space so guests can move around with ease.
Create the right vibe
In the room you are hosting in, it is vital to create the right vibe. Often, the living room is the area where parties happen or where guests gravitate to when staying. This space should feel comfortable and open for conversations to flow. Create cosy areas, if you have the space, by arranging smaller seating clusters so guests can break off into smaller groups for intimate chats. When guests are staying, this space can also be used for them to have alone time or a proper catch-up with you.
Ensure to have ambient lighting by avoiding harsh and bright lights. Opt for softer and layered lighting using dimmers, candles, and lamps. This gives an inviting and cosy vibe while making your guests feel relaxed.
To bring in elements of fun, have a little bar area where guests can easily serve themselves drinks and nibbles, taking the pressure off you. Have a games area to encourage fun competition and a karaoke area for a laugh with loved ones.
Have plenty of seating
Providing plenty of additional seating or furniture that can become occasional seating for whenever guests are around is vital. This ensures that everyone has something comfy to sit on and prevents people from aimlessly standing and waiting for you to find things to sit on. You can use adjustable bar stools, ottomans, benches, pouffes, accent chairs, foldable chairs with cushions or garden chairs that can be stable indoors.
Get dinner party ready
The dining room is another essential space for when you are hosting, particularly for overnight guests and dinner parties. Everything comes together in this space where people can enjoy a hearty meal together and some tasty beverages. Ensure this space has seating that works with the room and that is sturdy. No one wants to fight over where to sit when eating at the table so make sure there’s enough room for everyone. You could add a bench to offer flexible seating or add stylish foldable chairs.
Dress the table to create an inviting space for eating together and keep it simple so that guests feel comfortable having conversations. Have an impactful yet simple centrepiece such as a tray of fresh greenery, an understated candle or a candle holder with fairy lights inside. This keeps the table tidy and stylish, making space for food and drinks.
Another vital aspect to have in the dining room is somewhere to display drinks. Many parties involve alcohol, particularly wine, so why not display your offerings with a wine rack that holds 56 bottles? This shows guests the selection of drinks they can pair with their meal and allows them to help themselves if needed. All while keeping your wine collection neat and together in one place!
Finally, choose ambient lighting that gives enough light to eat and converse without it being too harsh. Use soft, warm lighting like pendant lamps to create an intimate dining experience. Put candles around the table to keep it cosy and full of light.
Take the party outdoors
Enjoy the outdoors no matter the weather with your guests for vital fresh air and more space for larger gatherings. The best parties always end up spreading to outside areas so ensure your outdoor space is suitable for guests. Have plenty of garden lighting such as twinkling fairy lights, lanterns, candles, and footpath lights. This gives a cosy breather space away from the chaos of the party for those who need it. For colder months, have an outdoor fire for guests to gather around and offer blankets on your outdoor seating.
Give the hotel feel in guest rooms
When you have guests staying overnight, you need to create that feeling you get when you step into a nice hotel room. It should be a little haven for your guests that is neat, clean, warm and cosy. To achieve this, you need to keep the guest room neutral with décor and furniture. This avoids feeling like guests are staying in someone else’s bedroom. Use soothing greys, warm whites and soft colours to create a calming and welcoming vibe where guests can feel safe and comfortable to get a good night’s rest.
Make sure the bedding is clean and tidy. No guest wants to get into a bed that doesn’t seem comfy or clean. Give guests that happy feeling of fresh bed sheets when they get in and instantly get hit by the freshly washed smell! This room is all about encouraging guests to have a tranquil and happy stay that makes them want to stay longer.
Have spotless bathrooms
Clean your bathrooms to the highest of standards so that guests can feel comfortable using them. Make them feel as though they are in a spa and ensure it stays clean throughout their stay.
Provide essential items such as towels, flannels and toiletries such as toothpaste and shampoo. This ensures your guests have everything they need in case they forget items. As well as this, provide enough storage to hold the toiletries they have brought and finish the bathroom off with warm touches such as greenery and candles.
Use these ways to transform your home for hosting guests to ensure your house and you are prepared for any parties and overnight guests. Many family and friends can come over at the drop of a hat to stay, so ensuring you have your home ready to transform quickly is vital as you don’t want your guests waiting for you to set up your home! Remember, it’s the little thoughtful details that count and that provide an excellent experience for guests!