‘Tis the season to entertain! Hosts Kylee and Jason discuss the pitfalls and high points of hosting as we all prepare for some quality time with our guests.
Listen to: Pouf! Episode One or Subscribe On iTunes
Thoughts On Hosting From The Podcast
1. Let the guests take over
It sounds obvious, but your guests really just want to feel at home. That’s why making your guests feel welcome and comfortable is one of a hosts top priorities. And it’s one that requires some key design considerations. Think about what you’ll be doing with your guests and how they’ll be utilizing your space.
Seating & Storage
For instance, if you’re watching a football game or having snacks in the living room, you should keep in mind that your 6-person sectional sofa sin’t suitable for all 6 of your guests! Provide plenty of seating! And always make sure your guests have places to store their items – from keys and wallets to coats and purses.
2. Pay attention to the table
Sharing a meal is one of the high points of hosting because it brings two key entertaining elements into play: design and function. What Kylee thinks about before hosting a meal:
- Distinguish between a cozy dinner for two or a large setting for a dinner party – for instance, tall candles are great for a dinner for two, but will get in the way at a dinner party table that’s crowded with arms grasping for food.
- Establish a theme to help tie your design elements together – Hosting a National Pumpkin Day feast? Then leaves, garlands and earthy accents should all be on your checklist.
- Think about what you’re serving – A buffet-style meal will leave more room for decor on the table than a traditional meal with serving plates on the table.
3. Overnight guests – the height of hosting
The trickiest but most rewarding type of guest. You don’t go to someone’s house as a guest and cease to be who you are. You still need personal space to get some down time, refresh your spirit and take care of business.
Anticipate their needs for things that they might forget or things that will make them feel more at home. Whether that’s a comfy guest room chair to read in, a desk to email from or a jar full of mini toiletries – make sure your guests have what they need for downtime and self care.
4. Think beyond function
It’s still your home, and you want it to reflect your style, but you should also consider that there are going to be a lot of different types of personalities in the space.
Neutral Palettes & Welcoming Artwork
As much as we love vibrant pops of pink, some folks are turned off by the energy that bright hues bring to a space. So consider a neutral palettes as your guest space foundation.
A gallery wall of family photos can be a beautiful thing, but excessive use of those photos in a guest room might make your guest feel a bit like an intruder. Consider decorating with artwork that will welcome and comfort your guest rather than make them feel like an outsider.
5. Hosting Is Tough
Hitting your stride as a host is tricky. It takes equal measures of design savvy and planning intuition. But we’ve done this before, so regardless of your current level of host-worthiness, we’re excited to help you entertain like a super host.