#1
Bored Panda got in touch with the editor at 'These Three Rooms,' interior design expert Ariane Sherine, to get her thoughts about what it takes to be a great host and how we can leave a good first impression from the very first moment a guest approaches our home.
Ariane told us that the first things that guests will notice will be the front door, the front of the house, the drive, and the garden (if you have one). "First impressions count, so make sure the front door and doorbell are clean, the drive is tidy and the bins aren't overflowing. I hang a pretty wreath on my front door, with changing colors depending on the season. A porch light is useful to guide their way in case it's dark," she shared what things we ought to focus on if we want to elevate everything.
"Next, there's the porch and front hall. Have a lovely doormat ready and a tidy place for them to put their shoes and coat. I have some stylish coat hooks in my porch and a shoe cupboard tucked away under the stairs. The front hall should be light, clean, and welcoming, so be sure to have the light on and everything vacuumed. The decor is up to your own personal taste but I love white or cream walls and a wooden floor," Ariane said, adding that if you choose engineered wood or wood-effect laminate, it'll be easier to maintain everything.
#2
#3
Ariane, the editor at 'These Three Rooms,' said that being a good host is all about being friendly and welcoming, as well as anticipating what the guest will want or need to feel at home.
"Are they hungry or thirsty? Have snacks and drinks on hand. Would they like to rest after their journey? Take them to their room (which will of course be clean and tidy with a freshly-made bed). Show them where the bathroom is straight away in case they need to go immediately and make sure it's well-stocked with soap and toilet rolls," she said.
Ideally, you should treat your guests as you'd like to be treated when you come over. "On the flip side, the best way to make a guest feel uneasy is to act awkwardly, as they'll then feel awkward too—or to be brusque, silent, and unwelcoming and not offer them anything."
In Ariane's opinion, we shouldn't worry too much about being too eager to please because part of being a good host is being accommodating. "A clean, tidy, warm, and well-lit home is always impressive, but make sure you're also clean, fresh-smelling, and well-dressed and don't look messy or have food stains down your clothes! If you look flustered, that'll create an awkward atmosphere, so try to stay calm while also greeting your guests with a smile."
#4
#5
#6
It turns out that my friend's dad had been molesting my friend's older sister for years. Every single night for years. My friend had the bedroom across the hall from her sister and locked her door and turned on the radio at night so her dad wouldn’t come in and hurt her, and so she couldn’t hear what her dad was doing to her sister.
After that one sleepover I never went back. I just felt gross the next day but as a kid I couldn’t figure out what made me felt that way. I found out years later what was going on. I eventually grew apart from this friend but I still think of her often, and it seems like on social media she’s built a life for herself as an adult that she’s really happy with.
Skulls on the walls, swarms of flies, and the walls dripping with grease aren’t the only indications that your visit won’t be all that pleasant. There are two main areas that really demand to be treated well by anyone who’s opening up their home to others.
First of all: cleanliness. You’ve got to keep that ship tight, yo. The rule of thumb that we like to use is thinking about what your mom and grandma would say if they came over right now.
Would they be appalled by the mountain of unwashed dishes and piles of stinky clothes festering in the corners of your apartment? Would they give you a stern talking to for not vacuuming for the past three months? Odds are that, yeah, they totally would. Keep your guests happy by keeping your cleanliness standards up to par.
Secondly, it’s all about how you behave as a host. No matter how tidy your home, how much your kitchen floor might gleam, it all means nothing if you have a sour attitude. We feel like a good host is someone who puts their guests’ needs slightly ahead of their own. They’ll offer them tea, drinks, snacks, and maybe even a homecooked meal without seeming too pushy. They’ll make them feel comfortable without sacrificing their own comfort.
#7
#8
#9
Relationship and dating expert Dan Bacon, from The Modern Man, previously explained to Bored Panda that what truly matters is you being happy with the way your home looks and feels. We won’t be able to please everyone, so instead, we ought to focus on our own happiness. What’s even more important than the interior is how we behave.
"A man’s home is part of what people initially use to judge his social status and character. However, how he behaves and acts with the people who come over to his place says so much more about him," Dan said.
"A man might have a perfectly tidy, well-designed, and stylish home, but be very nervous and try too hard to impress people who come over. So, rather than seeing him as a cool, confident, successful man they can admire and look up to, most people just perceive him as a nervous, insecure guy with a nice place. Alternatively, they may see him as a guy who tries hard to please others with material things because he's insecure about himself and doesn't feel good enough in their eyes,” the dating expert told Bored Panda.
#10
#11
#12
"Remember that most people care more about themselves than other people. So, allow people to talk about themselves, rather than always trying to be the center of attention," he shared some of his thoughts about being a good host.
"Also remember to not try to oversell yourself or your place, to hopefully gain people’s approval. Be confident and secure in who you are as a person and let your surroundings provide additional clues about who you are and how you approach life."
#13
#14
#15
Dan noted that different people feel comfortable in slightly different interiors. Some prefer everything super tidy. Others thrive in the midst of light chaos.
"If you enjoy placing a lot of importance on your home because it means a lot to you, then do that. If you only see it as a place to live and want to focus your attention on other things, you should do that. You can never impress or please everyone, no matter what you do. Just look at celebrities as an example. They have millions of people who love them and millions who hate them,” he told us.
"The same applies to your home. You will never make it, furnish it or arrange it in a way where everyone loves you for it and wishes they had it. Some people will love it, others will like it and some will hate it. So, just enjoy doing what you want to do. That’s the only way you’ll truly be happy."
#16
#17
#18
#19
#20
