• How to Set a Mood and Create a Welcoming Atmosphere for Guests

  • ‘Tis the season for gatherings! Of course, food brings people together, but what makes them stay is a welcoming home. And what creates a welcoming home is a combination of spaciousness and comfort, aesthetics, and functionality. Read on to find out how you can foster an atmosphere of warmth and ensure everyone who enters feels embraced and at ease.  
     

    Clear the Clutter 

    First things first…start with a clean slate! It may be tempting to furnish your home with the latest trendy pieces and decorate with a new batch of holiday decor, but remember that negative space is important.  

    If you find it is becoming exceedingly difficult to find things and cleaning up takes hours a week, then chances are, you probably have too much stuff. No amount of organization and pretty baskets can truly combat the mess that originates from this problem.  

    Dedicate some time to go through and lay out everything you have. Separate your belongings into three piles..things you definitely want to keep, things you definitely don’t want, and a “maybe” pile that requires a little more thought. Of the things you don’t want, you may further separate them into donation and trash items depending on the value and condition. After you are done sorting the “definite” piles, go back to the “maybe” pile and decide which items you will keep, whether it be for sentimental or functional reasons.  

    For future purchases, be mindful and think about how much joy and value you will get from the item before taking the plunge. That way, you can best control the problem before it begins. As they say, “out with the old and in with the new”…make it a habit to declutter your belongings when introducing new items into your home. You must be strong and part with items of lesser value to create the relaxing oasis you’ve always wanted! 

    Decluttering your home is the first step to creating a welcoming atmosphere.

    Choose a Color Theme 

    What feeling would you like to evoke in your space? Do you want to energize or calm? A bright, vivid, and loud color palette will energize, while a soft, neutral, and muted color palette will promote feelings of calmness. The key to cohesiveness is to stick within the same color tone when purchasing decor. The living space shown in the first image below adheres to the neutral tones that already exist in the home, while the second space strays from neutral background with pops of bright colors. The third space takes this a step further with festive and vibrant colors throughout the decor.  

    A minimalist home with minimalist decor in a neutral and calm color palette. – Nativa Interiors
    Homes with a white backdrop and colorful, eye-catching decor. – Megan Martin Creative and Flea Market Decor (Melanie Brunk) 

    Give Attention to Lighting 

    Lighting is often an afterthought in a home renovation, but you should really be working it into your overall design plan. It has the power to completely transform a space. For example, rather than adding it afterwards, integrated cabinet lighting is often easier when your cabinets are already dismantled and undergoing installation. This is especially true if you want cables to be hidden behind cabinets or walls. Read our recent article on cabinet lighting options if you need ideas!  

    Overhead lights often serve as the focal point, with pendant-style lights being a popular choice for illumination above kitchen islands and peninsulas. However, you may notice that your home ceilings may not be equipped to handle pendant lights in the correct location above your countertops. In that case, you should hire a qualified electrician to help you install additional receptacles. If that is not in the budget, there are attractive single-light options available, provided there is already one receptacle present.  

    Both of these symmetrical and asymmetrical lighting installations only use one electrical receptable. – Chandelierias and Light Fixtures USA 

    Sconces (wall lamps) are one of the most overlooked types of lighting. Many people do not know how to incorporate it into their home design, or they find the option to be costly. However, we think that sconces absolutely add an extra touch of customized luxury to a space. We recommend considering a hard-wired installation for the best look, but there are several rechargeable and plug-in options available on the market today.  

    The asymmetrical and scattered configuration of these light sconces enhances the modern look of this kitchen. | Adelina Iliev c/o Katie McCrum Studio

    Aside from the light fixtures, the light bulbs you use within those fixtures play a role in the overall feel. White light bulbs come in a range of color temperatures that are measured in Kelvins. Lower-temperature light bulbs in the 2700K-3000K (Kelvin) range provide a warm and homey feel, while those in the higher ranges provide good task lighting.  

    RGB (Red Green Blue) light bulbs have become very popular in residential applications because they allow homeowners to control the color and brightness of the light, often within a mobile application. Many systems allow you to program a lighting schedule and create specific “scenes” for special occasions.  

    The color of the RGB light strips in this modern kitchen can be changed to suit any mood or celebration. – Vision Lighting

    Create a Sensory Experience with Visualizations 

    Enhance the look of your space with interactive and sensory objects that are a feast for the eyes. These decorative pieces take home decor to a new level with dimension and movement.  
     
    Faux candles create a warm ambiance without the worry of a house fire. For the most realistic look, we recommend faux candles made from real wax with a soft flickering flame, like these candles from Luminara.  

    Some faux candles are made to look very realistic. – Luminara

    Have you always wanted a fireplace, but don’t want to invest time and money on a traditional in-wall installation? Well, you have options! Electric fireplaces mimic the appearance of real flames, have easy-to-adjust heat settings, and allow you to move them anywhere you want because they only require an electrical outlet. Some options even include surrounds (such as this one from Real Flame) that make them look as if they are an in-wall installation!  

    An electric fireplace by Real Flame gives warmth and light with less maintenance and fire risk. – Real Flame

    Consider motion and digital art when choosing wall art and decorative objects. These art pieces can take on several forms including moving sculptures, frames that can play video, and frames that can be changed to whichever image you please. Moving sculptures are interesting in combining art and physical science into the piece. Some plug into an outlet and others are battery-powered, but kinetic sculptures are powered by just a little touch of the hand.  

    If you are indecisive about an art piece, why not invest in a digital picture frame that allows you to have a whole art gallery right at your fingertips? Some digital picture frames can even play video, which gives a whole different dimension to art. The Netgear Meural comes highly recommended as the screen is made of a matte material that is intended to mimic a traditional art surface. It can also be rotated to display horizontally or vertically by using a pivoting attachment.  

    -This spinning kinetic sculpture and digital art gallery makes your wall art interesting. – Mindsight and Netgear  

    Invigorate with Home Scents  

    Envelope your guests in sweet aromas as soon as they walk through the front door. There are many ways to accomplish this including scented candles, diffusers, room sprays, plug-in fragrance systems, and even HVAC scent diffusers for larger spaces.  

    We want to offer a few tips on how to select the option that is right for you. Scented candles are an elegant and decorative solution, but they are also the highest maintenance. You need to keep an eye on the flame and ensure the wax is sufficiently melted so that the surface remains uniform.  

    Diffusers provide similar levels of fragrance but require less upkeep. With reed diffusers, you are only required to flip the reeds every one to two weeks and to replace the oil every few months, depending on the size. Plug-in diffusers continuously disperse bursts of scents in the air. Smart diffusers, like those from Pura, allow you to set the schedule and strength of each scent in a mobile app.  

    Room sprays are designed to provide stronger bursts of scent that last a short while, often 1-3 days if sprayed into the air. They help mask unpleasant smells when needed.  

    If your home is large, an HVAC diffuser, such as Aromatech, will add to the luxury experience. Not only does it disperse your favorite scent into the air and into every room, but it also improves indoor air quality and reduces allergens. Upkeep is minimal as you only have to replace the oil once a year.  

    Diptyque and Pura are popular brands that offer scent diffusers. – Diptyque and Pura 

    Audio Solutions for Your Listening Pleasure  

    A little background noise goes a long way into setting the scene. For a tranquil, everyday setting, something as small as an indoor water fountain will provide a soothing and zen-like experience. 

    Did you know that instead of the unsightly black boxes we often see, speakers can also be decorative? Not only are these speakers visually appealing, but they also provide ample sound. The speakers below are made from wood, which would perfectly blend in with an earthy and organic or mid-century home interior. The option by Cotodama on the right displays song lyrics on the glass, which will certainly be a hit at your next party! 

    These attractive speakers will certainly spark conversations. – KEF and Cotodama 

    For parties and holiday gatherings, an integrated sound system with speakers installed in every room will entertain and allow your guests to listen to music anywhere in your home and for you to control the sound within a mobile app.  

    They say the kitchen is the heart of the home…why not turn it up with integrated speakers? – Armour Home

    Take Off Some Stress this Holiday Season! 

    We know it takes a lot of planning to host a crowd and sometimes the space just doesn’t feel quite right. While you’re deciding on the dinner menu, let us help with your home renovation needs! You might be surprised at how simple cabinet refaces will breathe new life into your kitchen and alterations to a kitchen island or peninsula can dramatically transform a space! To get started on your wish list, contact us or get an estimate!