20 ways to make your home more inviting for guests

First impressions are hugely important, and that's true at home, too. To make your home look especially inviting, make sure the entrance is easy to access, the patio is free of clutter, and add cozy touches like seating and plants to welcome in your guests before they even open the door. 

There's nothing more awkward than when you're visiting someone's home and there's nowhere to sit. Make sure your furniture is functional enough to seat the guests you have over regularly, both in the living room and dining room. If you're in a small apartment, stow a few nice folding chairs in the closet for guests. 

Baskets, bins, crates, and chests can all make for homey additions to a room, and they've got an added bonus in being able to store clutter. Whenever last-minute guests are on the way, do a sweep of your rooms and toss any errant toys and shoes in these bins to hide them away. Just remember to clean them out once your guests leave. 

They require a little maintenance, but houseplants make any space look more inviting. Just make sure they're not in the way of any potential guests, or placed in precarious spots where young visitors or pets could knock them over. 

If you've got chilly tile floors, use plushy rugs to make the spaces they're in feel a little more comfortable. You can also use rugs to make a room look bigger, or cover any stains on your hard floors. 

Before friends or family visit, make a sweep of the bathroom and make sure it's stocked with essentials like hand soap, toilet paper, towels, and other necessities. An odor-trapping toilet spray like PooPourri or another scented room spray is also a nice touch. 

To make a room instantly feel more inviting, open up the blinds! Natural light helps illuminate a space and is a nice way to bring the outdoors inside. 

It can certainly be a challenge to keep up with household chores, but there's nothing that makes a home feel less inviting than too much clutter. No one's expecting perfection, but make sure that guests have plenty of space to walk around, store their items, and socialize without feeling like they're going to trip or break something. 

Inexpensive and ubiquitous, throw blankets instantly add a dose of hygge — or Scandinavian-style coziness — to a space. Soft, plushy throws are best, and make sure they're machine washable in the event of any spills. 

A space that's too cold or too hot just isn't comfortable, and that includes the home. Before your guests arrive, make sure the temperature is set in a comfortable range — 73-75 degrees Fahrenheit should do. That's especially true if you're expecting a crowd or planning to mingle. 

As soon as your guests arrive, give them an opportunity to shed their coats, handbags, and other essentials in a safe place. If you've got parents visiting, make sure they know where they can get some space for diaper changes and other kid necessities if needed. In guest rooms, luggage racks are also a helpful touch. 

You love your pets, but your guests might not. If your pets have a propensity to jump up on guests or get anxious around newcomers, it might make sense to let them hang out in the backyard or a separate room. 

Candles, incense, and even DIY potpourri simmering on the stove can add an instant dose of cozy to a home. Choose warming scents like cinnamon and clove in the fall, and bright, fresh fragrances in the spring to keep the theme seasonally appropriate. 

If you're having a party or a family dinner, consider adjusting the lighting in your space for a more intimate vibe. Use dimmer switches if you've got those, or light candles to add a little romantic glow. 

Entertaining outdoors is great, especially if you've got a well-equipped patio space. With enough seating, a table, and maybe a few patio lights or fancy upgrades like an outdoor bar, the patio can easily become one of the most welcoming spaces in the home. 

A few throw pillows certainly make couches and chairs cozier, but too many can make sitting feel just awkward. If you love the look of tons of pillows on your couch, consider sticking a few in the closet to free up seating space for your guests. Alternatively, if they're not you're thing, keep a few stashed in the closet for an instantly welcoming boost to any space. 

The welcome mat is one of the first things your guests are going to see upon arrival, why not have a little fun with it? Choose one with a cheeky saying — perhaps "welcome, y'all" for a farmhouse touch — or a fun vivid print to make a typically boring essential look a little more exciting. 

When guests are arriving at night, make sure that your outdoor lighting is in proper working order. Not only does it lend a nice glow to your home, but it also ensures that they don't trip as they fumble toward the front door in the dark. 

Even if you're not planning a big dinner or cocktail hour, having something to snack on when guests arrive is never a bad idea. Keep a few cans of seltzer (or wine! or beer!) in the fridge just for this occasion, and consider setting out a bowl of pretzels, nuts, or other easy-to-eat snacks just before guests arrive. 

Whether you're hosting an upbeat dinner party or an intimate first date, music can really make a difference. Find a playlist that suits the mood — streaming services like Spotify and Apple Music have great options — and play it at a volume that's easy to enjoy without overpowering the conversation.