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Entertaining at your house can be fun, but it can also be stressful to have people over for the first time. You want to make a good impression, so you’ll want to tidy up the space, but where should you start? Home and interior design experts share the first things people notice when they come into your home.
- The smell - Topping the list is the scent of your space, whether it’s pleasant or not is up to you. Joshua Blackburn, director of design and construction at Evolving Home, says, “While you may be used to the way your house smells, it might put off your visitors.” He suggests opening the windows to let fresh air in or boiling water with citrus peels for a nice aroma. Interior designer Andra DelMonico warns against using heavy perfumes and overly flowery smells, which she says can make it seem like you’re covering something up.
- The clutter - You probably don’t have time to clean the whole house before guests arrive, so focus on clearing the clutter. DelMonico says, “If you have piles of stuff everywhere, your home will feel cluttered and dirty, which can feel uncomfortable for the people visiting.” Work on clearing off all flat surfaces by stashing and storing everything piled up there.
- Personal touches - Once the clutter is gone, your guests can focus on the art, photos and other decor in your space. Interior designer Christy Biberich suggests adding little details like framed pictures and accessories like throw pillows and curated bookshelves to draw your visitor’s eye to them.
- Dirt and grime - But all of that doesn’t mean you can avoid actually cleaning up before guests arrive. Interior designer Paige Anderson recommends starting with the basics, like straightening the furniture, tidying the kitchen, dusting and vacuuming to make your home look and feel refreshed. And don’t forget to hit up your guest bathroom, too.
Source: Best Life