Summer is just around the corner, which means road trips to the beach, lots of pool time, and every now and then, houseguests flocking to your home. Whether you’re throwing a backyard get-together for your friends or it’s your turn to host the family’s Fourth of July summer barbecue, it’s essential to prep your home the right way to make it as cozy and comfortable as possible for your guests, especially with that scorching summer heat.
The ultimate goal is to make your home feel like a sanctuary for your guests on their visit. It must be clean, breezy, and oh-so-beautiful if you want to make a lasting impression as a terrific host. Ready to spruce up your home and make it your guests’ favorite place to be this summer? Here are nine ways to prep your space for the season.
1. Declutter
The number one rule of hosting is to keep your home clean. Nobody wants to visit a cramped and chaotic house with clutter lying around everywhere. Before hosting any summer events, set up a decluttering day with the whole family. Go room by room and organize the whole house until all the unnecessary items are neatly packed in boxes to either throw out, donate, or keep in the attic. That way, your guests will only see breathable spaces and clear counters.
2. Deep Clean Your Upholstery
Over the months, dirt, dust, and strange odors can accumulate on upholstery like couches, dining chairs, and other soft furnishings. It gets even worse in the summer, when upholstery can easily absorb people’s sweat.
Freshen up these delicate pieces of furniture and make them guest-ready by using a steam cleaner to give them a deep, thorough clean. You can also use a few spritzes of fabric-safe spray to deodorize your furniture and eliminate any noticeable smells before your guests come in.
3. Breathe Life into Your Home with Flowers and Plants
Another way to make your home look and feel fresh is to add greenery to your living spaces. A bare space with no sign of life can feel cold and lonely, but with some potted plants and fresh flowers, your home can look happy and summery.
Display some potted herbs and succulents on your kitchen counter or windowsill, or some hanging planters on your front porch. You can also pick some summer flowers fresh from your garden and put them in a vase for everyone to see. Display just a few small plants or turn your living room into an urban jungle crawling with lush greenery; the choice is yours.
4. Prep the Patio for Lounging
The patio is the best place to host summer get-togethers. You get to show off your glimmering pool and polished backyard, and you and your guests can soak in the sun for as long as you want. Before they get there, make sure you clean and update your outdoor space.
Set up some lounge chairs with comfy cushions or a few hammocks where your guests can relax and unwind while feeling the summer breeze. In case it’s particularly hot out, make sure there are stylish sunshade solutions to help, like retractable awnings or pergolas with canopies. That way, you can spend as much time as you want chit-chatting outdoors without worrying about the hot sun getting in your eyes, or worse, sunburn.
5. Make Sure Your AC Is in Great Shape
Hanging out on the patio is great and all, but when it’s incredibly hot, it’s best to take it inside. That means you have to make sure to keep your house cool all season long, and that’s a job for your air conditioning unit.
If you live in a hot and humid city, like Charlotte, NC, you cannot afford to have your AC break down while your guests are over. That will make the entire house feel hot and uncomfortable, so check on your AC to see if there are any issues with how it’s running. If you notice any problems, spring into action quickly and book the best air conditioning service Charlotte NC has to offer to avoid last-minute breakdowns while you have guests.
6. Fill Your Cooler with Refreshing Beverages
Entertaining at home during the summer means having a full stock of refreshing beverages to serve your guests. Ensure your cooler is filled with ice and drinks your guests can easily grab, like canned sodas and beers. You can also simply whip up cool summer drinks for them, from piña coladas to freshly squeezed fruit juices.
7.Play Around with Summer Home Fragrances
Make your home scream summer the second guests walk in, using scents to set the mood. There are many ways to make the house smell like summer, whether by setting up some home diffusers and scented candles or bringing in freshly cut flowers from the garden. If you’re going with the former, choose scents that have botanical and fruity notes. You can also invest in linen sprays that smell like bamboo or the beach for that fresh, rejuvenating feeling.
8. Clean the Bathroom
An untidy bathroom that has a funky smell is sure to leave a bad impression on guests, so make sure you take the time to clean your powder room and guest bathroom before anyone walks into your home. Scrub all the tiles and the toilet to make it sparkling clean. Make sure you stock up on bathroom supplies too, from hand soap to fresh towels. If you have guests staying over for the night, add some thoughtful details to make it feel like a spa retreat, like candles, sheet masks, skincare products, and a bath bomb or two.
9. Stock Up on Summer Essentials to Share with Guests
Finally, stock up on summer essentials that will be useful to your guests during their visit. Think of items that people tend to forget before heading away for a party or sleepover, such as extra flip-flops, sunglasses, or sunscreen if you’re jumping into the pool in the backyard.
This ensures that your guests have a fun, hassle-free time at your place and shows your attention to their needs. That is super important if you’re trying to cement your place as the best summer host in your social circle.
End Note
You don’t have to do a full-blown home renovation to impress guests coming over this summer. With a few thoughtful fixes and details that make your home look and feel extra fresh and inviting, it will be the place to be for your friends and family’s get-togethers this season. Whether it’s making sure there’s extra sunscreen in the house for your guests or fixing those annoying problems with the AC to keep the living room cool, all these little steps will put you down on everyone’s list as the best summer host in town.
