Preparing Your Home for Guests This Fall

Temperatures are dropping, and we are transitioning from entertaining with outdoor barbecues and swimming pools to fire pits and indoor celebrations. The change of seasons is the perfect occasion to refresh and reset your space. Infusing your home with the goodness of autumn is an opportunity to extend the coziest welcome to all who gather there. As friends take fall foliage road trips and family comes to spend the weekend, getting your house ready for company is a top priority. In today’s post, we’re covering five essential areas in preparing your home for guests this fall.

A Welcome Front Door

It’s time to take down the summer seashells and pastel colors and bring out the harvest hues. Adding special details such as fall-colored ribbons and branches from your backyard to a wreath or front door garland sets the tone for what your guests will see and feel when they step inside. I love a fall wreath with colorful pumpkins, gourds, flowers and leaves. This should come as no surprise considering how much I look forward to this time of year! There are so many options in stores and still more DIY options if you’re feeling ambitious.

The Foyer Sets the Tone

Whether you have a small table or a large “Welcome To Our Home” table in your entryway, adding a few touches of fall with pumpkins and trays, candles and vases invites your guests with a warm greeting. My preference year-round is blue and white, and I add touches of orange and brown during the fall months. Use vases and pots tucked away in corners and closets, adding twigs and fresh stems for a fresh, easy, seasonal display.

An Inviting Bedroom

If you have been thinking about adding color to your walls, fall is the perfect time. A golden whiskey hue, gray palate or emerald green accent wall adds warmth and depth to a bedroom. Switch out the bed linen to a seasonal comforter and duvet. Don’t forget to do a mattress check by spending the night in your spare bedroom. The pillows should be clean, fresh and ready for your first fall guests.

Invest in a few inexpensive seasonal blankets to add charm to the fall bedroom. You can pick them up at any department or discount store, and there will be a plethora of beautiful, colorful, neutral and warm hues to fit any color scheme.

Offer a Well-Stocked Coffee Bar

Who doesn’t love to wake up to the smell of coffee on a crisp fall morning? Whether it’s served from a Keurig, Nespresso or old-fashioned percolator, allow your guests to make their own coffee at any time of the day. All you need is a small space on the counter or a stand-alone bar cart to create a beautiful, inviting coffee bar. Set out coffee mugs, a variety of sweeteners, a French press or an automatic machine (with directions attached), coffee pods or pouches and a basket of sweet snacks. Fall-flavored syrups or creamers add a burst of pumpkin spice to the mix for those who crave a more decadent drink. Your guests can enjoy a “pick me up” any time of the day.

Ample Closet Space

A gracious host knows their guests will need a couple of empty drawers and a small section of closet space to hang their clothing. A wooden valet to place their suitcase is an added touch. Place a steamer or iron in the closet with a full-size can of starch. Making room for your guests to feel like they are home away from home starts with fresh hangers, a sachet in the closet to make it smell clean and some room on the floor to set out their shoes. The small details reinforce a sense of welcome.

For more information about working with Diane, America’s “Go to” social and professional (manners) skills authority, please visit The Protocol School of Texas. 

You may also like Guest Room Essentials to Create a Home Away From Home. See what Diane is up to by following her on Instagram and Facebook. Find etiquette inspiration on her Pinterest account and keep up with her latest tweets. For more of Diane’s etiquette tips, refer to her posts on Inc. and HuffPost.