Home Design Tips that will Impress Your Guests

Whether you are hosting over the holidays or like to entertain throughout the year, taking a function-first approach to your high-traffic, everyday areas in your home will promote flow, which is the secret ingredient to a good party.

Look at your home through your guests’ eyes. Paying attention to design details and taking advantage of decor opportunities will add to your guests’ comfort, and leave a lasting impression that you are indeed the host with the most.  

Here is how to design your everyday spaces so that they are optimized for entertaining and for daily living too, when the party's over. 

Welcoming Your Guests Into Your Home

The foyer is the first stop inside your home, and although you cross that threshold daily, remember your guests do not. The minute your guests enter your home is the perfect time to make a stylish first impression and get your celebration off on the right foot. 

A good foyer (or mudroom if you use a side or garage entry primarily) is uncluttered to permit easy traffic flow in and out of your home. Ideally, you’ll have a deep and/or long closet to hang coats, and store shoes and boots out of the way.   

In terms of décor in the foyer, pick statement-making pieces that will make an impression on guests as they enter and linger while saying goodbye, such as a cool custom mirror or thoughtful artwork.  

In the foyer, don’t forget a hall table, with a decorative lamp or catch-all for keys and other small items.  

During the holiday season, swap artwork and accents out for seasonal pieces or leave your decor in place year-round and decorate with twinkle lights, or boughs of holly or other greenery.   

Storage solutions are a must, both in the foyer and in a mudroom. 

Designer Heather Jennings with Blackwell & Jennings recommends closed storage so things don’t get so messy and encourages homeowners not to underestimate their storage needs.  

“Double the size you think you need in a mudroom, as this ends up being the catch-all for the entire house,” she says.  

Decking out the Den 

It’s common with many floor plans in new builds to have a den, which may function as a home office or flex room for everyday living.  

This is a room that may also serve as a guest room on-demand, when you’ve got overnight guests, which means that multi-purpose furniture is the key to transition easily. 

However, a den offers well-located space that could up your entertainment game and would give guests a unique experience, such as a cigar lounge, speakeasy or listening lounge. 

“With the return of turntables, dens seem to be making a comeback for listening to music and showcasing an LP collection,” says Jennings.   

Make a Statement With the Powder Room 

Apart from a dedicated guest bathroom, which is likely located inside or in close proximity to bedrooms, a powder room tucked off the main living space is one that will be used most often by visitors. 

This space offers an opportunity for homeowners to experiment with different décor styles while making an impression on guests too.   

Trending are bold, bright paint colors, textured finishes and maximalism, and the powder room is the perfect place to experiment, and your guests will take note. 

“Take the opportunity to design outside the overall style of the home. You can take risks in smaller spaces like using a special finish for plumbing, adding personal hardware to the cabinets, or trying bold patterns for tile and wallpaper,” says Lee Crowder, senior director, national design and model operations with Taylor Morrison.   

Include small, elegant touches to treat your guests, such “a signature candle scent and monogrammed or personalized guest towels for the occasion,” says Crowder.   

High-end audio systems throughout your home add flair to any occasion, and make sure to wire inside the powder room for extra ambience. 

“I love a powder room with quiet jazz playing,” says Jennings.   

Create a Luxe Lower Level 

Got a finished basement? Elevate the experience with a few design tips to create party central 

Establish zones where guests can partake in different activities, such as a games corner, billiards or ping pong table, as well as comfy seating with end or coffee tables within reach.  

Don’t forget storage in your lower level. Built-in cabinets are great for housing games and toys and do double duty for a display case.   

 A lower level is a great space to incorporate a décor theme, such as travel or sports.  

Basements can be dark and damp, so pay attention to placement of lighting and oversize windows if possible. Make the room cozy with a gas fireplace.  

Also popular on the lower level is a wet bar for serving drinks and snacks to guests, or a golf simulator. 

Magic Media Rooms

For immersive entertainment that will wow your guests, a state-of-the-art media room is impressive, whether you are watching films or watching the big game on the big screen.   

Media rooms are often in the basement, because smaller (or no) windows make it easier to control the light but having a media room closer to the household activity, especially when entertaining, makes more sense from a flow perspective, and makes it easier to serve guests. 

 “If you love to host football or game nights, look for a media room on your first floor,” says Crowder, because of proximity to the kitchen and main living areas.  

Invest in heavy-duty window treatments to block light if needed, and upgrade soundproofing in the media room walls on the main floor. 

Host for Health and Wellness

Why head out to the spa with your friends, when you can recreate the experience at home? This is a growing trend among homeowners who host frequently, and who have the space to dedicate to spa-like amenities. 

As such, “saunas, soak pools and ice baths,” are gaining in popularity, says Jennings.  

“People are looking for more health and wellness options for guests in their homes,” she says.  

Embrace Entertaining Outdoors

Treat your outdoor space as an extension of your indoor living area and use similar strategies for zones geared for entertaining.  

“Create a bar or gathering area for socializing and make sure that your space flows well, with enough space for passing by tables and chairs,” says Cate Singleton, director of design with landscape company Bower & Branch.  

“Comfort is key. Like with your indoors, having comfortable outdoor furniture such as couches, chairs, benches, and tables will make your guests’ experience even better. Add cushions and outdoor pillows for extra comfort,” she says.  

Singleton encourages homeowners to experiment with colors and textures with outdoor accents to “give your space personality or pops of color,” and recommends weather-resistant materials.   

Homeowners should layer lighting outdoors, as they would inside, including task-oriented and decorative lighting.   

Pathway or exterior lights help guide guests safely in the dark, and overhead lighting in an outdoor kitchen can help after-dark dinner parties.   

Lighting choices outside go far to set the mood. Pick string lights or lanterns for an inexpensive way for a lovely, soft ambiance. 

If you live in a colder region, extend the outdoor entertaining season with heat lamps, a fire pit and pretty blankets and throws.