It’s that time of year again; the holiday season is rapidly approaching along with a seemingly endless list of things to do, presents to buy, and parties to plan. If you entertain friends and family in your home, you want it to look its absolute best. I recently sat down with Paintzen, an online service that makes painting your home simple, to discuss how you can prepare your home for the holidays. You don’t need to go overboard. Instead, focus on the four key areas that will be most visible to guests: the entryway, bathroom, kitchen, and living room.

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Entryway

The entryway is your guests’ first impression of your home, so why not spruce it up and make it as inviting as possible? Use a neutral paint color like PPG’s Toasted Almond to enlarge the space. In addition:

• Clear the entry way of personal debris (your family’s shoes, a dog leash, etc).
• Use a tray to arrange a framed photo, small flower arrangement, and or candle.
• If you have room in the closet for guest coats, make sure that all hangers are uniform. If you don’t have room for guest coats, consider moving your family’s coats to a bedroom for the duration of the party or purchase a coat rack.

 

Powder Room/Bathroom

Your bathroom should be clean and presentable, so your guests don’t feel like they’re invading your privacy. A gray color palette, using  PPG’s Radisson as a base, presents a clean and modern look that’s easy to accent with holiday décor. In addition:

• Clear the vanity of any personal effects (toothbrush, hair brush, etc). All personal items should be in drawers or in the medicine cabinet.
• Have guest towels or paper hand towels available.
• Either purchase decorative soaps for the occasion or a soap and hand lotion that can be dispensed.
• Provide extra rolls of toilet paper.

 

Kitchen

The kitchen is one of the most communal places in the home, a place where people gravitate and mingle. To make your kitchen an inviting and warm space, consider using a paint color like PPG’s Silver Feather. In addition:

• Clear counter tops to make room for serving trays or for prepping food.
• Make sure your dishwasher is empty, this way you can fill and run it as dishes are dirtied to stay ahead of the mess.
• Have containers ready to house leftovers and disposable containers to give food away as guests leave.

 

Living Room

The living room is the main gathering area – the space that will invite conversation and community. Everything from decor to organization will influence how your guests interact with the space and with each other. A darker paint color like this blue from PPG is guaranteed to bring people closer together. In addition:

• Clear your coffee table and side tables of any personal debris.
• Place coasters throughout the room so there are places to put drinks.
• Light candles throughout the room to establish a relaxing vibe.
• Have cocktail napkins or small plates available near the food.
• Have an obvious place where people can put their napkins and glasses, like a tray or a bar cart.

 

With these simple tips plus a little bit of time and effort, your home will be holiday ready in no time.