How to Have Your Home Always Ready For Company
Just Call Me the Hostest with the Mostest…
As I always say, the biggest compliment I get from you lovely lot on Instagram is how lovely my home looks. The next biggest compliment is when people come over and say how neat and organised it looks. I’m house proud and love it. There’s nothing I love more than a tidy house and for guests to feel welcomed and invited into my home. And when I say I’m always ready for company, I truly believe my home is. Come knocking on my door right now, I dare you.
I think the myth about achieving this level is that it takes a lot of hard work and that I’m constantly cleaning. Ask my husband. I’m really not. Yes, I do a weekly clean but there’s not anti-bac spray constantly in my hands. Rather, I’ve developed daily habits over time that have helped me achieve a lovely, welcoming home that I’m excited to share with you. So you too can be ready for company at the drop of a hat…
MAKE A SCHEDULE AND STICK TO IT.
Let’s get the cleaning part out of the way. Yes, I clean my house on a weekly basis. And I stick to this routine. I don’t love the idea of spending an entire day or weekend cleaning (I’ve got better things to do). Rather, I break it down and give my home 30 mins of my time Monday to Friday to do the basics. This leaves me the weekends to do big things like changing the bed and putting on a big wash of towels, etc.
Along with the weekly routine, I’m also in a daily habit of wiping down surfaces, picking things off the floor, etc. Always before I go to bed. Not only does it give me peace of mind right before I go to bed but it also means you’ll never be caught out with a messy home.
ENSURE THE LINE OF SIGHT IS NEAT AND TIDY.
Now, saying this, you might be caught out if Betty from next door suddenly appears for a cuppa and a natter. It’s all happened to us! In this case, the best thing you can do is to ensure that their eye-line is mess-free and tidy. So think about when they are sitting down on your sofa, what areas can you hide a cheeky storage basket that you can throw a few bits into at a moments notice? I have one in the living room that I cover with a cushion. I would also consider when cleaning and tidying these areas as priority cleaning areas first before you do others. That way they are guaranteed to look gorgeous for you when you need them to.
Another thing I always recommend in my decor posts is to create styling moments in your home. Little corners that are always styled up (great for Instagram shots) that great for drawing the eye towards them. And away from other spots you may not want them looking at…
IT’S ALL IN THE LITTLE DETAILS.
It’s the little things that will make such a difference to your home. If you can establish certain daily habits or organisation, not only will you feel so much better, but your home will always be ready for company. Take your sofa cushions. Cushions are always a dead giveaway about the state of someones home. I always fluff mine ones right before I go to bed. The bed is another example. Making a bed every single day not only sets you up ready to take on the world but will look ten times neater than a messy one. It’s these little daily habits that elevate your life that will also help keep your home guest-ready.
SCENTS WILL SET THE MOOD.
Scents are always something that I will invest in. A fresh, gorgeous smelling home will always be inviting for guests and give your home an amazing first impression. I love a reed diffuser for on-demand scents or a diffuser. As you’ll all know, I love a good candle and always have a few dotted around that I can light up if I know that company is coming. Never forget also how gorgeous flowers can smell. Not only are they visually pleasing, but there’s a freshness that comes from a good bunch of florals that artificial smells can never recreate. These methods of creating a gorgeous scent in your home are suitable for any budget, so there’s no need to invest in more than you can afford.
JUST BE YOU AND DON’T WORRY ABOUT IT.
Above all is to be yourself. If you’re tense that the house isn’t perfect, your guests are going to read this the moment they come through the door. I’ve also been guilty of apologising for the mess and pointing it out straight to my friends and family before they have even taken their shoes off. Mess that they might have otherwise not even noticed. For me, this is the number one rule when it comes to being ready for company. Be your relax and happy self. If Janet is annoyed about the state of your home, Janet shouldn’t be allowed in your home. Those these will help you to keep your home company ready, life happens and you’ve just got to go with the flow. Your house is gorgeous because you’re gorgeous.
