Savvy Entertaining

Have you ever gone up to front door and while you were waiting for someone to answer, had a feeling of not being welcomed? You don’t know what it was, exactly, but you just had a sense of that front door space not being inviting.

One of the most important things we can do when we are having guests is to make sure the front door area is inviting.  The front entry to your home is really a reflection of you, so make it as warm and welcoming as possible.

Even if you don’t have much time or money to invest, you can still create a feeling of welcome by keeping the space neat and clean.

Unless it is a spooky Halloween party, make sure all cobwebs are brushed down. Sweep away any leaves and dirt.  Wash the windows and any glass in the entry area. Make it sparkle!

Shake or brush off the welcome mat – and yes you should have one! The mat should reflect your interior decorating style so if you have a country theme, try a heart-shaped welcome mat.

Rotate seasonal decorations. Even if you hang a simple grape-vine wreath on your door, you can dress it up by season with sunflowers or seashells for summer, leaves or pumpkins for fall, greenery and berries for the holidays.

Accessorize with plants and greenery whenever possible. Add decorative pots or urns leading to your door or on either side of the door and fill them with colorful seasonal  plants. Well-maintained plants add their own sense of welcome.

If it is time for some updating, think about repainting the door in a fresh on-trend color. Add a new door handle and be prepared for the amazing transformation! If your screen door is hanging by a thread, take it down. Nothing is more awkward than the greeting of a screen door opening out toward you while trying to get in the door.

Make sure your doorbell functions. If you don’t have one, then install a door knocker. It is uncomfortable to pound on someone’s door with your knuckles while hoping they’ll hear you knocking.

Keep your  front door light fixture clean and updated. You may want to consider lighting along the walkway to the door. Solor lights are a fun way to add spots of light. A well-lit path to the door definitely conveys a sense of welcome.

If there is room, have a bench, chair or garden seat close to the door.  If it is on a porch, a big, fluffy cushion will be a point of welcome.

You don’t have to invest a lot of money or time. Just some quick basic cleaning can make all the difference and offer the message of  “Welcome to my home!”