Unless you’re leaving on a jet plane for the holiday season, chances are, you’re starting to think about getting your house ready for the guest list that’s growing by the minute. It doesn’t take much to spruce your home up, especially if you start tackling your to do list one day at a time. We’ve compiled a list of five ways to cozy up your home and have your guests wondering how you manage it all with a smile on your face!
- Clean, clean, clean: start by freshening the baseboards and crown moulding with a new coat of paint. You’ll be amazed how much brighter and airy a room can feel with this small touch. Take the time to dust down your lampshades and your ceiling fan blades: the last thing you want is dust floating down into your guests’ drinks! If you have the time, deep clean your upholstery, especially if you have pets, and potential guests with fur allergies. Finally, give the fridge a quick scrub-down of any spilled food or drink.
- Update the guest bedroom, 
particularly if you’re having overnight visitors. Get a new bedspread, or, if you have a reversible comforter, flip it over and save yourself a trip to the store! A quick way to liven up a room is to change out the pillows or the artwork. By going from room to room, you can collect wonderful oddities to assemble on bedside stands; artwork isn’t limited to paintings and photographs on the wall. If you’re feeling particularly festive, check out Pinterest for some great holiday printables that can be popped into a frame for a quick and inexpensive wall piece! Check out this post from Better Homes & Gardens for some more ideas.
- Install a tile backsplash. Backsplashes are a fun and affordable way to add flare and custom appeal to the kitchen. Considering the kitchen is the heart of the home, and tends to get the most traffic during the holiday season, this could score you some major compliment points during dinner parties! If you don’t want to carry the backsplash up to the ceiling, you can even opt for a decorative pattern that ends at the cabinetry.
- Plan a contemporary holiday table, 
complete with all the elegant trimmings. For winter holidays, a snow white tablecloth sets you up for a classy winter theme where you pick the color scheme. Or, if you have a rustic wooden table, use a table runner instead of hiding the natural surface. Break out some of your nice china and shop for some playful napkins with a touch of color to compliment the holiday spirit. Venture from the traditional poinsettias for table decor, and opt for hydrangeas or carnations for some unexpected design flare.
- Replace old bathroom towels. This seems simple enough, right? If your towels are starting to look a little worn, this is the perfect excuse to go buy more! Don’t go over the top (unless you can get away with it), but picking up some new hand towels in bold colors can liven up a bathroom without any big out of pocket expense. If you want to take it a step further, you can even place a basket or tray by the sink and display neatly folded towels for that extra touch of elegance.
As you invest in new niceties for your guests, think beyond the holidays. Choose touches that aren’t too seasonal so that you and your family can also enjoy these special touches year-round!
Happy holidays, all!
