Simple Updates to Create a Welcoming Home for the Holidays - {Sponsored}
Thank you, Wayfair, for sponsoring this post
All year long our list of tasks to get done around the house grows. Petty little nuances that we catch out of the corner of our eye that fall victim to the basketball schedule and Girl Scout commitments. However, as the holiday season makes its way in, these once minute tasks seem to bare enormous weight as we prepare to open our homes up as the epicenter of holiday festivities.
Our homes are a reflection of our personal style and when we turn them inside out, we want to feel proud and confident about the way they are received. We want guests to feel welcome, at home, toasty warm and cozy. We also want them to see past the wear and tear our homes endure throughout the year. Preparing for the holidays is a balancing act of focusing on what matters most, while using the season as a catalyst to knock out the updates your home has been yearning for all year.
Today I am sharing eight simple upgrades you can make to your home that will elevate the ambiance for you and yours this holiday season. From functional details to thoughtful touches, these little improvements set a well-appointed stage for the festivities to come. If you followed along on my recent Minneapolis renovation coined the #harrietavenueproject, then you know Wayfair has become a trusted resource for all things home.
Add a welcoming doormat
As your guests approach the door, your first opportunity to welcome them awaits. With a blanket of snow covering your walkway, adding a graphic, punchy doormat is a fun way to make a statement as guests enter your home. I love the hand-lettered look of this one and the classic texture of this one and this one. Bonus, giving guests a place to wipe boots free of snow will prevent salt and sand from wreaking havoc on your floors.
Update your exterior lights
Swapping out your exterior lights for something a bit more fashion-forward is a simple and inexpensive way to up your exterior ambiance. During the holidays especially, layering lighting in varying methods makes our homes visually pop from their otherwise barren surroundings. Wayfair has a particularly great selection of fixtures - from under $50 to more high-end varieties, there's something perfect for any facade. These pineapple lights are on my Christmas list!
Freshen up your towels
There are few things that rival a stack of fresh, high-quality, plush towels for your guests. Without spending a fortune, this is a simple way to make guests feel welcome and cared for during their stay. Arrange a set for each person and place them at the foot of their bed. For hostess with the mostest status, bundle each set and tie them with a ribbon. Have room for a basket in your bathroom? Roll your towels and create a sweet stack just for guests. You can find everything you need on Wayfair.com.
Add a charming luggage rack
Give your guests a place to get organized during their stay. Being out of your home during the holidays can be stressful. Add a luggage rack to your guest room to help guests settle in. I'm loving this white bamboo version and the additional functionality of this one with accompanying laundry storage.
Upgrade your towel bars
A simple upgrade you can make to your home with minimal effort is updating your towel bars. There are so many profiles available from contemporary to classic and everything in between. At the #harrietavenueproject, I chose the Delta Trinisc collection and love how versatile and clean lined the design is. While you're at it, consider adding additional robe hooks. Most bathroom storage suites will include a coordinating style and your guests will thank you for it!
Upgrade your hanger game
Matching hangers are an easy way to keep your closets looking streamlined and organized for company. I like to keep substantial wood hangers in my front hall closet that don't buckle under the weight of a Minnesota parka. Keeping all hangers uniform helps your closets appear more tidy. While you're at it, treat guests to a luxe touch by adding non-slip, velvet hangers to their closet.
Swap out your plumbing fixtures
Over the holidays, we spend more time than we like to admit in front of the kitchen sink. A fabulous faucet can be the centerpiece of your kitchen. When in good working order, it adds an element of shimmer and shine that pairs perfectly with the season itself. If your faucet is tired or shows signs of wear, do yourself and your guests a favor by swapping it out for a newer, more updated variety. I love the commercial looking faucets like this one and the clean contemporary look of this Delta option.
Plan for the inevitable outdoor gear
Here in Minnesota especially, housing the coats, scarves and boots of guests is a legitimate concern. Consider your strategy for keeping outdoor gear from piling up in common spaces and compromising your holiday decor. Add a coat tree in an out of the way corner for guests to easily drape their winter necessetities. If you have a little more space to work with, add a more permanent piece like this bench & hook unit that can carry your family through the winter months. If you need a temporary solution to accommodate a high volume, use a solution like this under $25 rolling rack that is easy to disassemble and store until next year. While you're at it, order a couple extra boot mats to line your entry keeping the winter sludge from setting up shop on your floors.
Edina Realtor Sarah Schaffer
Our project on Harriet Avenue served as a fabulous location to capture these images! Opening up our homes for the holidays is an act of giving - a reflection of the season. Spend a little time assessing what's been nagging at you around the house and make a plan for eliminating these distractions. What thoughtful touches or simple updates can you make to put guests at ease and help you feel confident about the way your home is received? If you are looking for a partner to help you tackle your to-do list, I recommend looking to Wayfair!
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