The Art of Hosting: How to Create an Inviting Home for Guests

Welcome back to the Velvet Runway and this feature about How to Create an Inviting Home for Guests.

Do you love to invite family and friends over for dinners, drinks or overnight stays? If the answer is “yes”, you probably always have one eye out for little ways you can optimise your home to make it an even more welcoming environment for your guests.

Here’s a dose of inspiration so you can do exactly that!

The Art of Hosting : How to Create an Inviting Home for Guests

How to create an inviting home for guests : Exterior

Assuming this is where the entrance is, you might like to focus your attention on the front of your house. This is the first part guests will see and it sets the tone for the rest of the house.

A fresh lick of paint on the door frame or front wall might not be a bad idea. A few colourful potted plants always look good on a porch, softening the whole space.

In winter, hanging a festive wreath or garland is a nice way to welcome your house guests before you’ve even opened the door.

Lights

Lighting sets the mood for any space. You and your guests are more likely to feel at ease if the home is lit up by cosy lighting (nothing too harsh). You could create the desired effect with a patterned lampshade that emits warm lighting.

A few candles in pretty tealight holders can instantly make any room feel cosier after the sun goes down.

Comfy seats

This one goes without saying really, but your guests don’t want to be going home aching or feeling stiff. So, try to aim for comfortable seating with back support for people of all different heights and builds.

A quick solution is to layer up your furniture with toss pillows. This type of pillow is cushion-like in texture and offers a little bit of support, as well as style.

They come in all different sizes, including a rectangular-shaped lumbar style for maximum support. Square and bolster throw pillows are good options if you’re going to buy a few matching cushions and want to layer them effectively.

Practical touches

Ideally, your home should be a practical place for hosting guests as well as a comfortable one. If you don’t have a closet for coats and bags, you might have to get creative with your space. The good news is that this doesn’t have to be expensive.

You can procure a slimline hanging rack or a coat tree fairly easily, even if your budget is limited. If you’re handy when it comes to DIY, you could even mount some door hooks to your wall for a minimalist but artsy vibe.

If you really want to be on your A game, keep some spare (clean) pairs of slippers in different sizes for guests to borrow.

Declutter

Keep the communal areas and bathrooms free of clutter. A tidy house is conducive to a healthier mental state, so achieving this could make for more relaxed guests as well as a happier host (you!)

If you find yourself frantically tidying at the last minute before a guest comes around, don’t worry – we’ve all been there! To save yourself going repeating this same headache every time someone visits, try to make a habit of tidying for at least 5 minutes a day. This way, you will barely notice you are doing it, and you will hopefully save yourself a few panics.

Aromas

A pleasant home fragrance is the perfect finishing touch for a guest-ready living room. Scented candles, an oil burner or incense sticks will all do the trick! Just make sure you only use one at a time, so as to not make it overpowering.

Essential oil diffusers are becoming increasingly popular. The great thing about these is that they smell great and can even help people with allergies or colds feel better.

Final Thoughts on How to Create an Inviting Home for Guests

Hosting guests and helping them feel comfortable and rejuvenated when they leave their homes is a rewarding thing. With just a few simple touches, you’ll have a guest-friendly home in no time.

I hope you enjoyed this feature about How to Create an Inviting Home for Guests, and have a look here for more lifestyle inspiration.

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