Preparing Your Home To Accommodate Guests
The Holidays are a time for celebrating home. Not just the place where you live, but the specific feeling and atmosphere created by how you choose to dwell. There’s a Danish Term that I’m particularly fond of called “Hygge.” It’s defined as “a quality of cosiness and comfortable conviviality that engenders a feeling of contentment or well-being.” I always strive to create this sort of welcoming atmosphere in all my designs throughout the year, but the quality is particularly important during the holiday season. As guests travel from all parts to join you for a season of celebration, it’s only right that your home should look and feel it’s best.
Create a feeling of abundance for your visitors. Have plenty of fruit, cheese, and other festive treats on hand for easy and aesthetically-pleasing snacking. The holidays give you an opportunity to show off your decorating skills, so go the extra mile. I love charcuterie boards, both for the flavors and the look. They create a lovely centerpiece for a gathering and give you a chance to show off your curative range. If your space allows, set up dedicated zones for serving or coffee, creating a pleasant sense of organization and curation.
It’s the little touches that say the most. You don’t have to completely rearrange your home for guests, but be sure to have something special on hand to make the occasion feel extra joyous. I love having bottles of San Pellegrino on hand because they help every gathering feel just a little more fancy. You’ll bring a little celebratory European touch to the dinner table. Small surprises elevate the rest of your home and will make your guests feel truly loved and appreciated.
If your home has a guest suite, create a unique sensory experience for your guests. Find a fancy local soap or an artistic candle and make the guest bathroom feel special and unique. These are all small gestures individually, but they’ll contribute to the beautiful aura of coziness we’re looking to create. Fresh flowers are never a bad idea. Add them to your bathroom countertop or bedside table for that additional welcoming pop of color.
Make sure that you have plenty of blankets and pillows artfully arranged for your guests. Whenever I’m entertaining, I look at my space and envision it as part of a small country bed and breakfast. What really makes the space feel like a home-away-from-home? If it isn’t already there, add a chair to the corner of your guest space on which to rest a suitcase. Maybe put a couple of novels on the bedside table for some light vacation reading. This is your home’s time to shine, and a couple of additions to highlight your space are never a bad call.
At the end of the day, your guests will appreciate any little touch that makes them feel special. Putting the extra step of effort into preparing your home will show that you care, and will create a shared appreciation for your space. It could be as simple as intentionally folding some extra blankets artfully at the foot of the bed, or adding a couple of extra pillows. Whatever soft touch excites you will bring a smile to the face of your guest as well. I hope you have a wonderful season full of joy and community!
Happy Designing!