Just like you can’t stop the holidays from coming, you also can’t stop the parties, guests and endless entertaining that always seem along with this time of year! And with all the people coming and going, you want to make sure your house feels warm and inviting. That means those last minute fixer-up projects you’ve been putting off, yeah it’s time to get them done!

Quick fixes to create curb appeal
Your guests’ holiday experience begins at your front door. Set the stage with a beautiful wreath, lights or greenery. Your exterior holiday decor should also reflect your interior decorating style, giving your guests a sample of what they will find inside.

Simple, inexpensive projects such as upgrading your mailbox, house numbers, doorbell or knocker can transform the look of your home and will make your guests feel welcome knowing that you care about your home and the people inside it.

Deck your halls
Before you get out your box of holiday decorations, start by taking an assessment of your home’s current state. Most minor cracks in a wall or ceiling can be repaired with a little plaster or putty. For small scratches on wood furniture, try breaking the meat of a walnut, pecan, or Brazil nut and rub it along the scratch – the oil in the nut meat will darken the raw scratch. Chipped paint on your wall can be fixed with, well, more paint! Just be sure to thoroughly remove all of the dry paint chips and clean the area to ensure that your new layer of paint will hold. Once you have all your little touch-ups completed, let the decorating fun begin!

Guest room amenities
The number one rule of entertaining is to make your guests feel comfortable in your home. If your guests are staying overnight, that means making sure there is a space for them to unpack and unwind, usually known as a guest room. When it comes to decorating your guest room, just think, “Would I want to stay here?” If the answer is no, don’t worry. You still have time to freshen up the space before company arrives. Stop into your local Hirshfield’s paint store and let one of our color experts help you pick the perfect color for your room. Fresh linens, towels and clean smelling candles also go a long way in making a room feel warm and inviting. Thoughtful touches like a luggage stand, bottle of water and extra bathroom essentials will help secure your title as host/hostess of the year!

For more tips on getting your guest room ready, check out our previous blog post.