Being in a comfortable space invokes a positive mood, allowing you to be more productive. That is why many people choose to work in casual attire.

Hospitality is a great way to care for others and develop close relationships, but is best with an inviting environment. Learn to set up a welcoming and homey environment for both yourself and for guests.

Stick to a color palette

Stick with natural and warm colors for a relaxing and homey feel and opt for lighter colors to brighten up the room. Whatever colors you plan on using, the key is to use them cohesively throughout your room or home. Avoid picking too many colors, especially bold ones, as that can become too visually stimulating. Books or photos may be exceptions to this rule.

Decide on your statement pieces

Not everything needs to stand out. Give the room some contrast by choosing what pieces you’d like to emphasize, and keep other objects in the background via color or design.

As an example, I picked a wooden table for my kitchen for contrast against my white walls and because the table is a central point of interaction for guests. For my kitchen appliances, I picked the white colored options to blend in with the white walls as those are not things I want to highlight.

As an example, my living room’s off-brand red carpet is expensive to change, but because my other pieces are neutral-colored, the room looks cohesive. If you must use bold colors or patterns, use it sparingly in your space.

Bring the outdoors in

Nature leaves a relaxing impression. Having outdoor visuals makes the environment feel more open and helps people to mentally be more open. Including natural looking materials or plants is an easy way to bring life into your home. Avoid plants that trigger common allergies. If you have pets, choose non-toxic plants or fake plants for their safety. I keep a mix of real and fake plants for realistic caretaking.

decorate Intentionally

If you DIY your decorations, it will be an opportunity to have fun and showcase your art  – just be careful not to clutter your space. Decide on specific areas to decorate and limit yourself to that area. You can include objects that you love but if you have too many displayed, it will look messy and overwhelming, not to mention harder to clean.

Include interactive elements

You can make this heart-warming or fun. Here are some ideas:

• Snack jar
• Games & puzzles
• Picture book / Magazines
• Display photos
• Educational poster

Add a personal touch

The first step is to identify locations that have room, and would make sense for your specific decoration. To add a personal touch, you can display artwork, an award, your favorite quotes, or hand-written letters. I display photos above my mantle to show my community and the people I care about. My setup uses a string with clothespins to easily swap out the photos from time-to-time.

Make the space user-friendly

Chances are your guests will need to use bathroom. Curate a user-friendly space by indicating clearly what places and objects are for guests such as adding a sign to the bathroom door and hand soap.

Make sure there is room for your guests to place their coats or bags down, and that the communing space is well-lit if you don’t want people falling asleep. Keeping some foldable chairs nearby is handy for adding seating as needed.

Keep Smelling Fresh

A bad odor can quickly drive people away. Make sure your place is clean and smelling clean, especially if you have pets. Adding a fresh fragrance makes a place more inviting. Stick to a light and neutral scent for guests such as white tea or jasmine. if you prefer to be on the safe side, you can skip this as some people are sensitive to fragrances.

Set a Pet Perimeter

It’s safer to keep your pet in a designated area while hosting in case some people are nervous or scared of some animals. If you know or sense that everyone is comfortable with your pet, then you may choose to let it freely roam if you really want to.

Add meaning

Include pictures or objects with a story in your space. This helps to promote conversation and build connection. When you welcome someone into your home, you’re also welcoming them into your life, so the objects you display should reflect who you are.

What do you find welcoming as a guest? Consider including in your own home.