HOW TO MAKE YOUR HOME FEEL WARM AND INVITING

The Holidays are rapidly approaching and if you are planning on entertaining you’re going to want to make your home feel warm and inviting for your guests. Making your home feel welcoming will help you and your guests have an enjoyable time together!

Even as an introvert, I love having guests over. Part of that is I enjoy making them feel welcome by adding special touches and small décor elements. I live in a pretty small home so there’s not a lot of space for privacy this means having a space that is warm and inviting is important.

A welcoming atmosphere is something that your guests feel the moment they step into your home. Over the years I’ve learned a few tricks on how to make your home feel warm and inviting and your guests feel welcome! This may surprise you, but it has very little to do with the way your home looks.

1. Focus On You

This is something that’s often overlooked. However, a huge part of making your home feel warm and inviting and making your guests feel welcome is you!

This means making an effort to really be present. The people in your home are your first priority, not the decor or even the food.

If you’re stressed trying to make everything perfect or no one will feel welcome. On the other hand, taking the time to make sure you are relaxed and have time arranged to spend with them will make your guests feel welcome!

Your home should be a reflection of you and your unique style and personality. If you don’t let that shine through, your home becomes void of feeling.

So stop worrying about trying to change things up or purchase special items. Instead, remember you set the done, focus on you, and make sure you’re well-rested and relaxed!

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2. Let Go of Perfection

This goes hand in hand with the importance of focusing on yourself. As I said above, if you’re striving for perfection, nobody is gonna feel welcome. Yes, you want your home to feel clean but that doesn’t mean it has to be perfect. Don’t be afraid to mess it up, especially when your guests are there.

I promise it’s okay to have a few dishes in the sink, it means your home is lived in and a comfortable place. Clean the floors, do some basic dusting, and wipe down your flat services. Layout some clean and fresh towels in the bathroom and you are good. I promise your guests are not going to be inspecting every inch of your home for cleanliness.

Here’s the other thing, please do not apologize for your house. I went to a friend of a friend’s house for one of those home parties. We were a little early and from almost the moment we arrived, her friend began apologizing about how small her house was.

She mentioned how she was having this home party to help out a friend that she doesn’t like to have parties because she’s embarrassed at how small her home is. Well let me tell you, her house was at least twice the size of my house and very beautiful. Trust me I made a mental note to never invite her over to my house. Clearly, my house does not come near meeting her standards.

All of her apologizing and pointing out everything wrong with her house made me feel uncomfortable. She showed loud and clear a heart that was not happy to have guests in her home, and that we were all invited reluctantly and out of obligation.

So please if you want to make people feel welcome in your home, do not apologize for your house. No saying “I’m sorry it’s such a mess” no pointing out everything that’s wrong with it, no declaring your embarrassment. They will feel far more welcomed by your attitude than they will by the cleanliness of your home.

3. Add Cozy Welcoming Touches

Set out a couple of snuggly throw blankets and add a few throw pillows of different shapes and sizes for a cozy feel. Also, consider textures, add those things that you would like to touch. They warm up a room instantly. Drape blankets over the couch or in a basket. Consider adding a seasonal table runner. These little touches tell your guests, you’re welcome any time!

It’s as simple as thinking about the elements that make you feel at home. For me, that includes plants, artwork with positive or encouraging quotes. People often comment on both of these items in my home and how much they enjoy them.

It really is the little things that make a big difference. Think about the little things that make you feel at home and welcome then add a few of those touches to your own home.

4. Clear the Clutter

To make your home feel warm and inviting and make your guests feel welcome you need to make room for your guests and their belongs.

You don’t want clothes draped over chairs or the couch. The last thing that says welcome I’m glad you’re here is having your guests have to push aside a bunch of clutter to sit down or find a spot to put down their own stuff.

If you have too much clutter in your home, what happens is that your guests are unsure of where to put their stuff and may not feel welcome.

Because my home is small it’s easy for it to look cluttered. I have to be intentional in removing the clutter. If you’re not sure how to get started on a clutter-free home, read this!

I do my best to clear off any flat surfaces and leave a few empty spaces on your floor. If you do this it will make a big difference in the overall feel of your home. Plus, you’ll create a space where guests will feel comfortable putting their stuff down or taking off their shoes.

If you’re having overnight guests, clear out a portion of the closet or a drawer or two. Creating a specific space for your guests is simple and will make them feel welcome right away.

Additionally, clearing the clutter helps the things you use and love to have center stage.

If you do have a lot of extra clutter that you don’t have time to deal with before your guests arrive consider having a basket in the living room, one with a lid is super helpful. Use it to hide any clutter that may be out or store stray items that need to be put away.

5. Have Food and Drinks

There’s something about walking into a home and smelling a fresh pot of coffee that feels so inviting. It makes you immediately feel welcome. It doesn’t have to be coffee, having beverages out or readily available makes a guest feel welcome. This can be as simple as having some water bottles or cans of flavored water or soda out on a side table with some glasses for pouring.

Another welcoming touch is to add a few snack items in candy type jars that your guests can feel free to snack. Fill with nuts or have a bowl out with some chips and salsa. Have a few baked goods out on the counter along with a fruit bowl.

If you have a busy schedule consider cooking a few appetizers or baked goodies ahead of time and storing them in the freezer. Also, Trader Joe’s has a great selection of premade appetizers that can be popped in at the last minute.

My favorite food item to have on hand for guests is a Charcuterie board. They are easy to put together and offer a variety of choices. Here is a great instruction for putting one together. If you need a board Amazon has some nice inexpensive options.

If you really want to go all, out consider a snack basket filled with some special treats picked just for your guests. You can make one fairly easy or purchase a pre-made basket and leave it with a little note in their room. If you make your own, include a couple of toothbrushes, a sample size toothpaste, and deodorant. Those things are easy to forget.

All of this tells your guest you’re happy they are there and want them to stay awhile without having to say a word.

6. Fresh Flowers

Fresh flowers make any space instantly inviting. The warmth and beauty they create are almost unmatched.

I just recently learned you can actually order fresh flowers here, who knew?

But I like to keep things simple, which means I usually just get my flowers from Trader Joe’s. A large bunch of white hydrangeas and some eucalyptus or other greenery allows me to have fresh flowers all over the house. Simply place a few flowers in a small vase and add some greenery, then just place them around the house.

You’re guaranteed to get lots of compliments!

7. Ambiance

A key component to making your home feel warm and inviting is to create a welcoming ambiance.

Lighting is a big part of this. In the daytime make sure to open the curtains and let the natural light brighten up your home. After all, a dark cave is never inviting, but natural lighting helps people feel at ease and clearly see where things are.

During the evening time add soft lighting. String lights are perfect for this. Drape them over a doorway, around windows, or across a mantel or credenza. Salt lamps are a good alternative for creating a soft glow.

Have some wonderful smelling candles lit throughout the house. You can also add essential oils to a diffuser. Most diffusers come with a soft light setting. By adding some lavender everyone will feel relaxed.

To finish off the vibe turn on some music. Keep the volume low enough to be relaxing but still able to be heard. Think about the music you hear at a department or grocery store. You know they want to keep you in that store as long as possible and the right volume of music helps. It will make your guests feel welcome as well!

8. Have Non Conversation Items

Depending on how long your guests are staying for, they may want some conversation downtime. Even if you’re hosting a party just for the evening, the introverts will feel so welcome having activities that don’t require them to start a conversation.

These little wooden game boards are great, they don’t take up a lot of space, but do provide hours of fun. Having a few coloring books and coloring pencils out is another good option.

Also, consider putting the internet password in a little frame for guests to easily see. It will look cute and your guests will know they’re welcome to use the internet.

None of these ideas take a lot of time or money but they do a lot to make your home feel warm and inviting and make your guests feel welcome. It’s all about little touches of thoughtfulness that will send your guests off feeling cared for and special.