There are signs life is returning back to normal — pour the wine and cheers to that! As our family and friends begin to book their vacci-cations, reunions are right around the corner and they are sure to be sweet. But if hosting Mom gives you a touch of anxiety, you’re not alone. Thankfully it doesn’t take much to transform your home back into a welcoming space ready to receive even the most critical of travelers. 

Get your house guest-ready with these easy transformation tips.

MAKE AN ENTRANCE

We’re already counting down the days until our first visitors. Make the moment even more memorable as they throw open the door with a warm and welcoming entryway update. You don’t need a lot of space to make others feel invited in and set the stage for a big Welcome home! while still keeping your space neat and organized.

For a simple upgrade, add a console table. These come in a variety of lengths, heights, and widths, perfect for personalizing to your available space. Make it your own by arranging framed photos, knick knacks from (soon-to-venture-back-on) travels, and a pretty dish to give keys a landing place. Add a table lamp to cast a warm glow even while you’re away. 

Give guests — and your family — a place to stash their things as they come and go. Hang coats and purses on a row of hooks, and stack shoes in cubbies built in under a bench.

RECLAIM THE DINING ROOM

For a lot of us, our dining rooms have been taken over. They’ve become home offices, classrooms, game night gathering spaces, and virtual conference centers for the past year. We’ll admit we can’t wait to clear it all off and actually set the table for dinner again. 

Whether you’re preparing to host a Saturday boozy brunch or Sunday night family dinner, level up your dining space with some updated decor. Swap in candle sticks for computers and linens for lesson plans. Matching glassware and serving pieces also go a long way in taking back your table.

ELEVATE YOUR GUEST ROOM

We expect guest rooms will finally be relevant this summer. Ready yours for the return of long-lost family and friends with welcoming touches. Along with crisp new sheets, a set of plush towels, and cozy quilt folded at the end of the bed, little luxuries go a long way for a welcoming stay. Think: a sleeping mask, fresh-cut flowers on the nightstand, lavender room spray for sweeter slumber, and a carafe for water. 

Go the extra mile by posting the WiFi name and password in a frame so they don’t even have to ask. A personal-sized Keurig machine in the corner also lets early risers do their thing without waking the rest of the household.

DO DOUBLE-DUTY

For those of us without a spare room but still have visitors on the way, it’s still possible to create a welcoming sleeping space with furniture that does double-duty — even if you live in a city where square footage is pretty sparse. 

Daybeds and sleeper sofas will be seeing their days as a comfortable place to spend the night while still being beautiful and functional in the daylight. Side tables can easily be transformed into nightstands, as well. Set out a fresh set of sheets (even if they’re just crashing on the couch) and a comfortable pillow so they can still feel special. And bonus — stash a foldaway luggage rack in your hall closet so your sis can spread her stuff out without taking over the living room floor.  

STAY OUT(SIDE)

As we looked to expand our living spaces while still being confined to our own property lines, many of us pushed the seasonal limits of outdoor living by adding heat lamps and fire pits to take our porches and patios from summer to fall. The good news is? Outdoor living (and finally, entertaining!) is here to stay. 

Improve your own space, no matter the size, with living room-worthy patio furniture and easy backyard upgrades that don’t break the budget. When in a pinch, keep it simple. A bistro table on a small balcony makes the perfect spot to greet the day with a cup of coffee, and a strand of market lights will always be a stylish way to light up the night. Happy hosting!

Need expert help pulling your guest spaces together? Sign up for a room design or two to make sure you’re all set.