5 tips to a more inviting home

There are so many adjectives I can use to describe my ideal home. At the top of that list, though, the word I want conjured up both in my mind, and the mind’s of my guests, is “inviting.” An inviting home beckons you in and makes you want to stay a while. Creating an inviting, welcoming home isn’t hard and shouldn’t be expensive, and on that note, I’m sharing some of my best tips with you all today! So let’s get started…

1. Inviting homes make captivating scents a priority.
Scent is powerful. Filling your home with crave-worthy, sophisticated scents is the easiest way to infuse it with the warmth and coziness that is the trademark of a truly inviting home. As style expert Nate Berkus notes, “Scent is key to elevating your décor. It builds an association to you and your home. Your home is a reflection of your personality, and what matters to you. With the new Unstopables collection you can add individual scents or mix and match candles, room sprays, in-wash scent boosters, scented oil warmers and fabric refreshers to create a home fragrance that’s truly you.”

Nowadays, home and personal fragrances are intersecting and discerning consumers are gravitating toward a “signature scent” that reflects their individuality via their various environments. This not only involves fine fragrance and luxury home scents, but products such as P&G’s Unstopables that can be enjoyed by all at a more accessible price.

Featuring double-wick technology that automatically alternates between two complementary scents that captivate and transform your environment, Unstopables Scented Oil Warmers are one of my new favorite things. It’s impossible to explain exactly how good my living room smells right now!

With two little kids, our upholstered furniture often needs a bit of refreshing. Unstopables Fabric Refresher is my go-to solution for immediate and scent-satisfying results.

2. Delicious-smelling candles add warmth, atmosphere, and an irresistibly inviting glow.
I’ve been called the “Queen of Candles,” and with good reason-I adore the scent and warmth candles add to a home. Lighting candles is such a great way to inexpensively and quickly make your home more inviting.

3. Sometimes, the smallest touches make the biggest impact when creating an inviting home.
Plants (I adore succulents for their low-maintenance style), fresh flowers, home-baked goodies, lots of books…these are all small touches that create huge impact in the quest for an inviting home.

When it comes to house guests, there are some additional ways to cultivate a welcoming space. Putting out handmade soaps for guests to use is one of my favorites, as is supplying your guests with big, fluffy, just-from-the dryer towels. Unstopables In-Wash Scent Booster is another little trick of mine, add it to your wash, and it infuses linens, towels and clothes with sophisticated scents (for up to 12 weeks).

4.  Gussy up your front door and entryway-they’re the first thing people see when they enter your home and set the tone for the rest of the space.
First impressions are important, and nothing gives your guests a great first impression of your home than a welcoming front porch and entryway. A clearly-marked house number, a front door wreath, flowers in the planters, a place for guests to set down any bags, somewhere for guests to sit to remove their shoes-these little touches go a long way in setting the inviting, welcoming tone for your home.

5. Add some texture and contrasting elements to your space.
Adding lots of different textures to your home, whether it’s a natural, nubby rug, textured pillows or throws, warm wood elements, or a fun fur pouf, makes your space feel inviting and welcoming. In addition, adding contrasting elements-a sleek, glossy end table matched with a textured rug, for instance, adds instant charm and interest.

So tell me, what are YOUR best tips for creating an inviting home?

I was selected for this opportunity as a member of Clever Girls and the content and opinions expressed here are all my own.