5 Easy Ways to Make Your Home More Welcoming

In this world of rush, rush, rush, sometimes it’s hard to prioritize making a safe space at home. Even if the floors and counters shine, a house is not a home unless people feel welcome in it. As you lay down your head tonight, consider these ways to make family, friends, strangers, and even yourself feel more at peace in your home.

Redecorate!

Nothing says change like a new color scheme. A fresh coat of paint can enamor you when you walk through the doorway. You’ll take off your shoes and toss yourself on the couch just to stare at the walls for a few minutes before dinner. Tired of that worn out carpet? A rug is just what you need to bring in a splash of color. Feeling depressed? Add a new lamp or change out the bulbs in your existing one to add more light. You will feel more hospitable to guests if you enjoy your home.

Spice up Any Room With Plants

Plants contribute to your wellbeing as well as your interior design plan. They produce pure, unpolluted oxygen which de-stresses you with each inhalation. In addition, people perceive plants as a symbol of life. If a plant thrives in your home, they feel comforted that they’ll be taken care of too. Don’t worry if you have a brown thumb; try sprucing up the place with these plants, which need very little attention.

Improve the Air Quality

While plants purify the air in your home,  toxins lower the air quality. Some items release chemicals called volatile organic compounds (VOCs) as they age. Keep your eyes peeled for these dangerous chemicals in your air fresheners or cleaning products: formaldehyde, chloride, benzene, and perchloroethylene. Use natural products to clean such as baking soda, lemon, vinegar, or salt. Make sure you switch out the filters on your heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) system as recommended, which is usually once every one to three months. Also, have a HVAC technician at United Air Conditioning professionally service your system twice a year.

Add Photos or Art

Image via Flickr by Suzanne Burton

Photography can add an artistic touch to any space, especially if a close friend or relative shoots it. Visit local craft sores to find a frame that accents your decor yet makes the photo stand out. Whenever possible, purchase art from nearby venders or matte a project that your young relative created. Anything that defines your family unit or how you fit into your surroundings will spark conversation and give off a welcoming feel which others will appreciate.

Serve Food

A sure-fire way to make sure others feel at home in your space is to feed them. While you don’t have to serve three-course meals, using platters or decorated plasticware will give your snacks extra flair. Try making a cheese ball out of cream cheese, diced ham, and chives. Toss all the ingredients in a bowl and combine them with your hands. Serve it with crackers on a nice platter and — voilà — instant success. For other simple ideas for snacks, check out Buzzfeed.

Revitalizing your home, especially your air quality, will help you have the most envied and laid-back house on the block.