By Rachael Thompson Interiors 17.12.2023

Visitors Always Notice These 6 Things in Your Home

These simple things can make or break your guest's experience.

Welcoming guests into your home can be a great source of enjoyment and a special opportunity to create memorable experiences. But unlike your guests – particularly those who are first-timers – who don’t live in your home, you're accustomed to your surroundings and likely to overlook things that they don’t.

First impressions are important, and what guests first notice about your home can shape their overall feeling about being there. This doesn’t mean you need fancy items or to go out of your way to buy new things, but rather it means you can be aware of certain things that can make your home inviting and pleasant to be in. Because we've all been in situations where we've frantically been running around trying to make things look perfect right before our guests arrive.

If you're someone who hosts regularly or you plan on having friends or family over in the near future, consider these six things visitors typically notice when they go to someone's home so you can be prepared ahead of time. Warning: they might never want to leave!

1. The smell

Arguably one of the most important things to consider is the smell of your home. Every home has a unique scent and this is probably the first thing guests will notice upon entering. Put simply: No one wants to spend time in a space that smells unpleasant. Having a clean home and plenty of ventilation will aid in making your home smell lovely, but fresh baked goods, flowers, diffusers, or fresh washing are always worth considering.

Candles are one of the easiest and most affordable ways to make your home smell divine and when designed beautifully they make for a chic home decor piece that creates a heartwarming glow.

2. Your entryway

Your entryway sets the tone for your house and is the first visual point for guests. If you have the means to dress this area up nicely with a chic side table and mirror above, a stylish floor runner, and a designated spot for guests to take off their shoes, it will make a big difference.

At the very least, ensure that this area is clean and as clutter-free as possible so that there's a clear direction for visitors to go. If you want full impact here, place a bunch of flowers on your hallway table too.

Don't have an entryway? Fear not! Consider the first room your guests enter and do a quick audit of clutter or mess before they arrive.

3. Lighting

Lighting sets the ambience of a home and can have a huge impact on the overall look of your space. A home that's poorly lit or lacks natural light brings down the mood and makes things feel claustrophobic – neither of which is conducive to social interaction.

Even if your home lacks natural light, be aware of darker areas and add appropriate lighting there. The living area is one room we tend to neglect. In the evenings when overhead lighting is too harsh, having a floor lamp or table lamp makes all the difference to the mood.

4. The cleanliness of the bathroom

A dirty bathroom, particularly when it's not yours, makes most of us uncomfortable. If you have multiple bathrooms and no time to clean all of them, stick with just cleaning the main bathroom that's likely to get used by visitors. If you're even more pressed for time, prioritise wiping the vanity surface and making sure the toilet is clean. If you want to impress guests, have plush towels, a pleasant-smelling candle, and good-quality soap to use.

5. The temperature

It's almost impossible to ignore the temperature of a room and how it makes you feel. Take your guest's comfort into consideration and ensure your home is at a reasonable temperature. We all have our preference on what the thermostat should or shouldn't be set to, but it's a safe bet to keep things around the 22°C mark. If you have no heating and your home runs cold, have some throws or something else to keep guests warm.

6. Seating

We've all been in situations where we've had to awkwardly hover because there's no seat available to us. Whether you just lack good seating or you're having multiple people over, having somewhere for everyone to get comfy is important and will make everyone feel more welcome.