With warm weather encouraging us to open up our homes for entertaining, creating a welcoming ambience is all part of being a good host. According to Lynsey Crombie, a TV presenter and home expert, a clean bathroom, fresh-smelling spaces, tidy outdoor areas, and a welcoming atmosphere will always make more of an impact than spending hours deep-cleaning every room.

Start with the Bathroom

Crombie recommends prioritizing the bathroom before guests arrive, giving the toilet, sink, and taps a proper clean and buff. She also suggests swapping in fresh hand towels, topping up the toilet roll, and emptying the bin.

Clear and Freshen the Fridge

Crombie points out that guests nearly always arrive carrying drinks, desserts, or extra food, so creating space in the fridge beforehand makes hosting feel far less chaotic. She advises throwing away anything out of date, wiping down shelves and drawers, and quickly checking for sticky spills or forgotten leftovers hiding at the back.

Empty Trash and Refresh Outdoor Areas

Crombie underlines the importance of emptying trash, inside and out, to prevent overflowing bins and unpleasant smells. She also suggests tidying greenery, refreshing garden furniture, and checking the patio to create a welcoming outdoor space.

Final Touches

Before guests arrive, Crombie recommends opening windows to let fresh air move through the house, doing a final walk-through to straighten cushions and fluff throws, and focusing on creating an atmosphere that feels relaxed, fresh, and welcoming.

Original reporting: Texarkana Gazette — read the source article.