The holidays are here, and you want your house to look fantastic for Thanksgiving. After all, everyone from crazy cousin Filby to your mother-in-law will be coming to your home at some point during the holiday season, and you want to make a good impression.
Preparing for house guests and holiday parties can be a little overwhelming, especially when you’re hosting a lot of people. However, a few small projects, started early, can make all the difference in your home’s appearance. These five tasks can spruce up your house and make it the perfect holiday destination for your friends, family, and party guests.
1. Make a Grand Entrance
The entryway of your home, including your front door, is the first thing that guests will notice when they arrive. You can make it welcoming and festive by doing the following:
Replace your front door. Few things are less off-putting than a peeling, flaky entryway door. A new, bright and beautiful front door will warm your guests and give your home a fresh new look.
Fill your entryway with light. Replace those blown-out bulbs in your exterior lights, and make sure the front pathway to your front door is clear and well lit. You don’t want any guests to trip and fall, especially if they’ve been drinking egg nog.
Decorate your front door and porch. A holiday wreath, a pot of poinsettias, or a welcome sign can emphasize the warm, merry atmosphere of your home.
Clean your ducts. Some guests may suffer from allergies, and dirt, debris, and allergens caught in clogged ducts will only aggravate their stuffy noses.
Mask that musky smell. Flowers and scented candles can help keep musty odors at bay in a small area, but if you want your entire house to smell nice, pour a couple of drops of vanilla or peppermint oil on your furnace filter or air conditioner’s fan. That sweet smell will spread through your house and give your home an extra-special holiday feel.
Keep small fans handy, just in case. Your house guests may need a fan during the night, especially in Florida. A small fan in the guest bedroom will help your guests feel relaxed and comfortable.
You’ll be surprised by the enormous effect an inviting entryway can have. A repainted front door, lighted entryway, and cheerful front porch will welcome your holiday guests better than nearly anything else.
2. Put a Fresh Coat on It
A fresh coat of paint on your home makes a world of difference, especially in places like Florida, where tropical storms and heavy humidity can cause paint to peel quickly.
Choose a paint color that you’ll enjoy for at least two years, and remember that lighter paint colors are considered more warm and inviting. For ideas about which paint tint to select for your home, see our color-choosing tips. Be sure to select a paint type that is durable and that doesn’t peel or fade easily.
Schedule professional painters a few weeks before your party so you have plenty of time to have the house painted and get other things done.
3. Make Those Windows Sparkle
Windows can be a signature part of a home, but one that easily gets overlooked in the holiday rush. First, replace any windows that have become broken or crooked during the year. Contact a professional who can help you replace glass panes and select durable, soundproof glass.
Next, make sure that your windows are clean and sparkling. Clean windows can help deflect dirt and debris, even during the wet holiday season.
Check that your windows aren’t letting in any air (and aren’t letting any out). You may need to caulk or weatherstrip your window to make sure that your warm air doesn’t escape.
4. Declutter and Make Some Space
When guests arrive, the jackets, shoes, scarves, keys, and other items pile up quickly. Use the weeks before the holidays to declutter your home and create storage space for your guests’ possessions.
Start with your hallway closet. Sort the things in your closet into a keep pile, a store pile, and a throw-away pile (or give-away pile-it is the holidays, after all). Many things in the hallway closet can be stored somewhere else in the house until they’re needed. Storing some items and giving away others will grant you more space in your closet.
Also declutter under beds, in cabinets, and in other closets around the house. You won’t believe how much extra space you’ll have after a thorough declutter.
5. “Turn That Heat Up”-or Down
The holidays are a perfect time to make sure that your HVAC system is in order. After all, you don’t want to roast your guests at Thanksgiving dinner-and you don’t want them to shiver through dessert, either. Try the following:
Keeping the temperature comfortable and cozy in your home will help you and your guests relax together and enjoy holiday activities.
As you prepare for the holidays, trust your professional window and door replacement specialists at FAS Windows & Doors to help you get ready for Thanksgiving and Christmas. For more tips on how to make your home the perfect holiday get-away, contact us today at 877.289.0825 or online.
Alexandra 12/2/2015