5 Tips to Create a Welcoming Home

This is a sponsored conversation written by me on behalf of Air Wick®. The opinions and text are all mine.

As someone who loves to entertain in their home, I want to talk about how to set the mood for welcoming guests into your home. There are some simple tricks you can use to create a welcoming atmosphere for your guests. The best way to create a lasting impression is to appeal to all five of the senses. It will help create an unforgettable experience for your guests, whether they are staying with you, attending an event you are hosting, or just stopping by for a quick visit. Here are some tips to create that lasting impression.

Smell: This one is often the most overlooked but is so simple and essential in my opinion! This sense is important because it's surprisingly, the most memorable. There are several ways to incorporate this, with flowers, sprays, oils, or candles for example. My favorite way to incorporate scent when I have guests over is with the Air Wick® Freshmatic® Ultra. It adds personality to your home and creates a pleasant atmosphere. You can even use different scents in different rooms of your home to really create an experience.

The Air Wick Freshmatic is an adjustable, automatic spray that sprays bursts of scent periodically throughout the day so your home is always smelling good. It's battery powered with 3 different settings. All you do is load in the spray, and turn it on selecting your favorite setting using the switch. I always get mine at Target, of course. The sleek sprayer is available in black or white to best match your decor. My favorite scent right now is actually the Summer Delights which has White Flowers, Melon & Vanilla Scents. But I love that you can easily change the scent based on the season or mood you're looking to create. It's so great for entertaining because it's always on, so it's one less thing to think about during set up but still sets the mood for your party.

Air Wick also has many product options that contain natural essential oils. They circulate a long-lasting fragrance that makes it easy to create the atmosphere you're looking for. They definitely have a product that works for you and your home. Check out all of the Air Wick products and scents available at Target.

Taste: Have delicious food and drinks available for your guests to enjoy right away. I like to display already poured drinks with garnishes on a bar cart by the front door for guests to grab right when they walk in. The guests can serve themselves whenever they are ready which is really a win-win for everyone. A nice cheese board or grazing board is always a hit for any occasion. Don't forget to freshen up any spaces with lingering smells before your guests arrive; the Air Wick Freshmatic is perfect for this.

Sight: Well this one is pretty simple, probably the one people think of most when inviting guests over. You want to create a clean, beautiful, welcoming space that is pleasing to the eye. Check out social media for home entertaining decor ideas. Some ideas that are great for any occasion include fresh flowers or greenery (especially for spring), themed or decorative pieces, and nice coffee table books. Even my Air Wick is pleasing to the eye! You could also have a beautiful dessert display or even some fun balloons if it's for a celebration. It's all in the details.

Touch: This one is less obvious and you can incorporate it in a few different ways. If a guest is staying with you, consider having nice sheets and a soft room in the room they will be staying in. Blankets and throws can help add texture too. Alternatively, if someone is coming over for a short stay or an event in your home, greet them at the door with a handshake or hug to incorporate touch and help them feel welcome in your space.

Sound: I always say, no matter what type of gathering it is, music is a must. It can be just soft music in the background even, but it helps fill in any awkward silences in conversation. It can also be a conversation starter within and of itself.

All of these are simple but easily forgotten, especially scent. But I can assure you that if you do appeal to all of the senses, it will take your entertaining to the next level and create an atmosphere that your guests won't soon forget. Even if you aren't entertaining, you can incorporate these tips into your everyday to make your home a more pleasant place to be for you and your family. The Freshmatic continuously freshens up any spaces in your home with delightful scents leaving it smelling great all the time.