8 Ways to be the Perfect Weekend Host

Whether it’s just for the night or you’re having family come for a holiday weekend, it’s up to you to make sure your guests feel comfortable and welcome. Sure, you might have a guest who’s impossible to please, but making sure they have everything they need can help reduce some of the stress you feel. The perfect weekend host anticipates guests’ needs and limits issues ahead of time. Make their visit the best ever with these simple and smart hosting tips.

Clear out personal belongings for a more welcoming space. Image: LKW Design

Set a specific timetable

You know what they say: house guests are like fish because they both start to stink after three days. When inviting family or friends to stay at your place, make sure you’re specific in your offer. Have a clear arrival and departure date and help coordinate travel so you don’t have guests that linger past their expiration dates.

Stock the guest room

Asking a weekend host for the essentials can be embarrassing for guests, so make sure the guest room is well-stocked. Whether traveling via train, plane or automobile, guests almost always need a drink of water and a place to freshen up as soon as they walk through your door. Supply a bottle of water and a fresh towel in the guest room for arrivals and then stock a guest room basket. Snacks, drinks, toothpaste, a comb, a face towel and other small personal items make your guests feel totally at home.

Use folding screens to add privacy. Image: Hande Koksal

Offer privacy

Privacy can make all the difference in how guests feel in your home. Even if your place is on the small side, there are definitely ways to make sure guests have their own space. Direct other family members to use another bathroom to free up one for your guests. Use a folding screen to section off an area if your guests will be sharing a space or room with someone else. By giving guests their own dedicated space, they’ll feel like less an intruder and more a part of the family.

Remove personal items

Nothing reminds guests that they’ve usurped your master bedroom quite like seeing your hairbrush on the dresser and your picture frames on the nightstand. If you’re repurposing a space as a guest room, do your best to make it as neutral as possible. If using a kids room, for example, declutter the toys and swap out bedding for something a little more grown-up. Stash your personal stuff in a linen closet or attic and your guest won’t feel like they’re putting you out.

Get tech-friendly

Want to be everyone’s weekend host hero? Make sure their tech needs are totally taken care of. Post your wifi password somewhere (or add it to the guest room basket) and keep extra chargers and battery packs on hand. Give guests instructions on how to operate the TV and keep Netflix and other streaming service passwords handy. While it’s important to spend quality time together, it’s equally as important to make sure guests have some time to decompress with their tech.

Give guests access to tech. Image: California Closets

Schedule foundational activities

You don’t need to schedule your guests’ every waking moment. Give them control over their own schedule by offering a few “foundational” activities each day. These are things like a family dinner, an outing to a museum or a movie night. Choosing one or two activities each day gives guests a flexible schedule that they can work around. If they have things they want to do, they’ll have plenty of time. If they’re planning on taking it easy, they have a little structure. This gives you the chance to reconvene, check-in, and stay connected throughout the weekend.

Plan snacks and meals

There’s nothing worse than having to ask for food at someone else’s house. And, even if you think it’s no big deal, your guests might rather go hungry than ask you to open the kitchen. Planning easy snacks and meals (and directing your guests to find them) takes some of the pressure off. Instead of insisting everyone show up to the table for breakfast, offer muffins and juice. Stock your pantry with grab-and-go snacks like granola bars and crackers and put yogurt and drinks in the fridge. Let guests know when you’ll be making meals and when they’ll need to fend for themselves and you’ll reduce some of your weekend host stress.

Share simple tasks

A good house guest will always ask to lend a hand and you might think a good host always refuses. But it’s a great idea to have a few easy tasks set aside for guests. You don’t need to do all the heavy lifting solo and asking for help makes guests feel like they’re pulling their own weight. No, you shouldn’t ask your aunt to scrub toilets, but you can definitely ask for help washing up after dinner or for a hand in the kitchen. Stop your knee-jerk reaction of saying “no” when someone asks to help and you’ll feel less frazzled.

When you have friends and family visit, you don’t have to stress. By taking some time beforehand to make your guests feel truly welcome, you’ll create a space that always feels warm, welcoming and drama-free.

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20 Creative Valentine’s Day Wreaths

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It can be sad to take down that brown Christmas wreath. But just because Christmas is over doesn’t mean you have to forget about wreaths. A nice aspect to wreaths is that you can actually hang them year-round in different seasonal and holiday themes, like Valentine’s Day wreaths. Wreaths are an easy way to get into the spirit of a holiday. You can either use them as a subtle accent or as part of a larger holiday decorating scheme.

And there are plenty of creative Valentine’s Day wreaths out there. From bold flowers to romantic heart shapes to layered burlap, there are many different ideas for hanging a wreath around Valentine’s Day that you may want to try.

Floral Valentine’s Day Wreaths

Flowers make an obvious choice for Valentine’s Day wreaths since flowers are a common Valentine’s Day gift. They just tie right into the holiday. And since flowers tend to be common in the pink, red and white colors of the holiday, that makes them a popular choice for Valentine’s Day wreaths, too. On top of that, flowers add a rich texture and romantic feel to any piece. And Valentine’s Day is all about romance.

So take a look below to see some bold flower wreaths that tie perfectly into the holiday. From gorgeous roses to red tulips to lush hydrangeas, below are some romantic pieces that will look great on any front door.

Nothing says Valentine’s Day like pink roses in this Rose Wreath, Courtesy of Wayfair.

This multicolored rose display has some gorgeous texture and color, as you can see in this 15-inch Rose Wreath, Courtesy of Wayfair.

Bright tulips, while more of a spring flower, can work in a Valentine’s Day display when shaped into a heart in this Red Tulip Heart Wreath, Courtesy of Etsy.

This Pink Heart Shaped Wreath makes great use of texture, Courtesy of Etsy.

While this Valentine’s Day Wreath is advertised as a summer wreath, these pink and red hydrangeas make it a good match for Valentine’s Day, Courtesy of Etsy.

Foliage Valentine’s Day Wreaths

Valentine’s Day wreaths don’t have to just focus on flowers. Different types of foliage also make great materials for holiday wreaths. While many people think of foliage in fall decorations, items with green leaves can also work well in Valentine’s Day designs. These materials are usually fashioned into heart shapes, making them a more subtle home addition for the holiday.

And in many parts of the country, February can mean warming weather. The lush, bright foliage can hint at spring days to come. Take a look below if you’d like a wreath that focuses on natural textures.

Bright green heart wreaths are a subtle way to decorate for Valentine’s Day, as you can see in these Preserved Boxwood Heart Wreaths, Courtesy of Wayfair.

The heart shape and red of the berries make this Berry Heart 8-inch Wreath a good piece for Valentine’s Day, Courtesy of Wayfair.

This Boxwood Wreath is another subtle foliage piece. Image: Etsy

Some hearts added to a basic green wreath can make it a great holiday item. Image: Katarzyna Gdula / Shutterstock

You can fashion faux foliage vines into a heart shape for a romantic piece, as you can see in this Heart Vine Wreath, Courtesy of Etsy.

Fabric Valentine’s Day Wreaths

Different types of layered fabric are also popular in wreaths and these designs are easy to modify for Valentine’s Day. After all, there are many different Valentine’s Day fabrics for sale. Sometimes, a simple red fabric is all you need to set the tone for the holiday.

The textures on these designs can run the gamut. Some have more woven, rustic textures, making them good for country, farmhouse and other rustic themes. Burlap is a wonderful texture that was made for rustic homes, in particular. Others have more of a rich, satin sheen to them, while other designs go for high texture and contrast.

Pink burlap makes a colorful and rustic Valentine’s Day piece in this Valentine’s Day Wreath, Courtesy of Etsy.

The shimmering texture makes the Red Metallic Chevron Burlap Heart Wreath more of a modern piece, Courtesy of Etsy.

A bold pink ruffled texture creates a romantic vibe, like in this Pink Burlap Valentine Heart Wreath, Courtesy of Etsy.

Some fabric pieces focus on high contrast, as in this Valentine’s Day Burlap Wreath, Courtesy of Etsy.

A dark burlap can make a stately wreath, like in this Valentine’s Day Wreath, Courtesy of Etsy.

Heart Valentine’s Day Wreaths

Some wreaths don’t fit into certain categories too easily due to their varying materials. The fact is, you can make a wreath out of just about anything. Some of the wreaths below are even made out of seashells or rocks. But what makes them work as Valentine’s Day wreaths is that they are all heart-shaped.

However, due to their colors and textures, you could also hang these wreaths year-round. And different textures help them work with certain home styles. The seashell wreath, for example, would be great in a nautical theme. So take a look below for some of the most creative heart-shaped wreaths.

This Strombus Shell Wreath would be great for nautical-themed homes, Courtesy of Wayfair.

Tinsel hearts can add an attractive sheen to the center of any Valentine’s Day wreath, especially this Happy Valentine’s Day Deco Mesh Wreath, Courtesy of Etsy.

This cotton plant Valentine Door Hanger would be wonderful in rustic homes that feature natural textures, Courtesy of Etsy.

Even rocks can make an attractive and subtle Valentine’s Day wreath when fashioned into a heart shape, like in this Hanging Rock Heart Wreath Trio, Courtesy of Wayfair.

These red and white berries make a good Valentine’s Day piece when shaped like a heart, like this Heart Shaped Door Wreath, Courtesy of Etsy.

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5 Ways to Make Modern Valentine’s Day Décor

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There’s always been a bit of an issue with Valentine’s Day: it’s marked by gaudy décor items like paper hearts, pink teddy bears and frilly Valentine’s Day cards. But you can decorate your home so that you can celebrate the holiday, yet keep it classy and sophisticated. There are plenty of ways to go about having a classy Valentine’s Day. However, they’re all marked by the principle of minimalism. If you place just a few accents to celebrate the holiday, you can set the mood without being surrounded by a frilly, overly pink nightmare. So take a look below to find some top ways to go about having a modern Valentine’s Day.

Small, bright accents can set the tone for Valentine’s Day without overpowering the space. Image: Anna Oleksenko / Shutterstock

Small Framed Accents

One idea is to find a piece that works as a smaller focal point. For instance, you could find a framed piece, like in the photo above. Something like this would fit on the wall, or you could even place it over the mantel. Then you could place small red accents around the room for some design cohesion.

This concept works best with a piece of framed art. But you can get creative by finding other classy accents. For instance, you might find a modern red heart piece on a stand. Or you could go for a simple, classy Valentine’s Day wreath.

The bold reds and pinks of the holiday are great as accent colors. Image: Photographee.eu / Shutterstock

Using Accent Colors

Another idea for a modern Valentine’s Day is to make use of bold red or bright pink as your accent color. In today’s styles, accent colors are popular. They add a fun pop to otherwise neutral and light color schemes that define contemporary styles.

You can see an example of how something like this could work in the photo above. Bright shades of red pop in the space, a natural color for Valentine’s Day. Then you could easily add a red heart piece on a shelf to set the tone for the holiday. And if you already have red or pink as an accent color, a heart décor item idea is an obvious choice.

Keep it understated with a white and light pink color scheme. Image: Jane Rix / Shutterstock

Add Subtle Pink Accents

Instead of going for bold accent colors that pop, you could also go for subtle pink. A light baby pink won’t visually compete with anything, especially if you have a lot of white in your space.

You can see an idea for how to incorporate pink into a space in the photo above. You can have some simple light pink confections in a clear jar, like these white and pink marshmallows. Don’t feel like you have to overtly go Valentine’s Day. An idea like this can create a subtle, modern Valentine’s Day by focusing on the color scheme of the holiday alone.

Go for word art to set an instant feeling of romance, like with this Hand Made Modern Unfinished Craft Be Mine Heart, Courtesy of Target.

Classy Art for a Modern Valentine’s Day

We covered framed wall art above, but you can use word art in other pieces. By working with word art like this, you can easily set the mood for the holiday. But a simple piece like this doesn’t overpower the space. It can hang on its own, or as part of an overall Valentine’s Day room design.

An element like this would be easy to hang, too. And it’s neutral color fits in with just about any room design. Though if you wanted to get a funky look, you could place it on a table askew for a more creative take. It’s unfinished, so you could also customize it.

Valentine’s Day-themed throw pillows make easy and understated accents, as you can see with this Be Mine Linen Throw Pillow, Courtesy of Wayfair.

Small Throw Pillow Accents

The best way to keep things contemporary and easy is to simply add a holiday-themed throw pillow. This classic red heart pillow in the photo above sets the mood for the season, but its light backdrop would allow it to fit in with just about any room style.

The rustic print and burlap texture would also help it fit in with rustic chic styles. And the deep shade of the red pops, but it’s not an overly saturated or neon color like you’d see on some of the loudest Valentine’s Day cards. A classy throw pillow like this is just a good, basic piece that fits in with any modern Valentine’s Day.

What are your favorite modern Valentine’s Day decorating ideas? Let us know in the comments.

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5 Classy, Modern Ways to Decorate with Hearts

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Hearts are a common theme around Valentine’s Day, but they can easily run the risk of looking tacky. For instance, you’ll see many Valentine’s Day décor designs featuring bright pink paper hearts, which are great for an elementary school classroom or a child’s room. However, if you want to take decorating with hearts to the next level, below are some high-class ways to incorporate hearts into your décor style. Also, a wonderful aspect to many of these designs is that they don’t necessarily have to be only for Valentine’s Day. You can decorate with hearts year-round if you do it carefully.

Heart shapes make great art collages. Image: Busra Ispir / Shutterstock

Use Frames to Decorate with Hearts

Art collages are a classy way to get just about any look in a home. In the photo above, you can see how a small heart-themed art collage is a great way to decorate with hearts. These hearts are more bold, but feel free to work with muted neutrals to give a more modern look. Another idea is to use small accents of hot pink to keep it subtle, yet fun.

You might also try a gallery wall style using different-sized frames in random places for a more funky, modern look. You could also hang this design year-round, or you could easily hang and take it down around Valentine’s Day.

Focus on texture to make hearts go perfectly with a room’s design style. Image: Tom Gowanlock / Shutterstock

Go for Natural Textures

Another idea to decorate with hearts is to focus on texture. An example is the photo above, where you can see the textured stick heart on the wall.

By focusing on different textures like this, you can incorporate hearts into any style. For instance, a metal heart could fit in with an industrial theme. A lace heart wall hanging could fit in with a Victorian theme. A distressed wooden heart could fit in with a country or other rustic theme. Or a basic outline of a neutral-colored heart could fit in with minimalist or modern homes. And it could work year-round.

You can also redo tile to get a heart shape. Image: onsuda / Shutterstock

Get Creative with Tile

Speaking of ideas for year-round designs, the heart in the photo above is definitely more of a permanent fixture. The red heart on the dark background also keeps the design looking bold. Though you could do a neutral color with the heart to keep it more modern. And placing a large heart design in the middle of the wall would allow it to be a focal point.

You don’t have to just stick to the bathroom for this idea, either. You could also place a modern heart design in the backsplash of a kitchen. Hearts could even go on floor tiles. It’s a very versatile option, if you’re open to more of an involved remodeling project.

Garden accents can make a classy addition to a space, indoors or out, as is the case with this Heart Plant Pot Decoration, Courtesy of Etsy.

Try Classy Garden Accents

Another idea to decorate with hearts is to use them in the garden, like in the photo above. Since Valentine’s Day is still on the cool side in most climates, however, you might want to use this idea in house plants. You can easily place gardening decorations in large potted plants.

The piece in the photo above is actually a great idea for keeping hearts on the more modern side, too. The rust texture gives more of an industrial look that combines well with brick textures. Yet the heart is very subtle and not too overpowering in the space like bold red hearts can be.

A heart-shaped photo collage is classy and can hang year-round. Image: Daniel Lindholm / Twenty20

Make a Photo Collage

The photo above proves you can creatively work a heart shape into just about anything. A creative photo collage like this is a classy way to use a heart shape. Forming family photos into a heart shape is also a cute, emotional way to display them.

You could either keep the photos plain or mount them onto a clean white canvas with a modern, minimal frame. So you could hang a piece like this in even the most modern and minimalistic of spaces. And going for a large design would make the collage an attractive focal point in any room.

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How to Get the Perfect Valentine’s Day Table Setting

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If you’re planning a romantic dinner on Valentine’s Day, you’ll want to make sure everything is just perfect. And even if you’re single, it can be fun to have a Valentine’s Day gathering just among friends. The best way to set the mood for the day is to make sure you have an amazing Valentine’s Day table setting.

There are several ways to go about decorating a table for Valentine’s Day, from bright pink accents to bold heart designs to classy Victorian chic styles. So below are several ideas for getting a classy Valentine’s Day vibe at your dining room table.

Neon pink and white is a wonderfully chic color scheme. Image: Ingrid Balabanova / Shutterstock

Bold Valentine’s Day Table Setting

One of the cutest upscale ways to get a Valentine’s Day table setting is to go for bright pink shades. Bright shades give just about anything an uplifting, modern and artsy feel. You can see how some classy bright pink roses set the tone in the table setting above.

Meanwhile, the lightest pink pearls make the bright pink color well-integrated with the rest of the table. It balances the pink and white shades in one piece. And by balancing the pop of bright pink with plenty of white, you keep this concept grounded and chic. A darker pink in the tableware also grounds out the look.

Make a table setting pop with bright accents of cherry red. Image: Stolyevych Yuliya / Shutterstock

Creative Red Accents

Red is also a great design choice for Valentine’s Day. Bright cherry reds really pop in a space and bring the whole area to life. So using red accents on a Valentine’s Day table setting is a wonderful way to celebrate the season in a bold and classy way.

One example is the table setting in the photo above, which makes use of some gorgeous red accents. The lock to the heart is a cute little metaphor and matches the color scheme. Small accents like the red hearts also give a subtle shot of color. And the large red napkin sets the tone.

Layer plenty of textures on top of each other for a classic look. Image: Africa Studio / Shutterstock

A Romantic Vibe

Another idea for a Valentine’s Day table setting is to go very traditionally romantic. The table setting in the photo above does a wonderful job of layering different textures on top of each other to make a classical table setting.

The white, textured doilies contrast well with the sleek, red tablecloth. Little accents, like the pearls, give a very romantic and classy feel. And plenty of roses and candles help add to the romantic vibe. Feel free to get creative with the dessert presentation itself, like how the syrup spells out the word love.

While this is technically a wedding table setting, the Victorian look is also perfect for Valentine’s Day. Image: Alison Henley / Shutterstock

Victorian Chic

Speaking of going classic, you might also want to try a Victorian table setting for Valentine’s Day. What makes the Victorian style so applicable to this holiday is the use of romantic flower prints, which were common in the era. It gives you a wonderful excuse to incorporate plenty of pink flower prints into the dishes, like on the teacup and plates in the photo above.

The Victorian style is also one of timeless romance. It’s dominated by fine textures like lace and bold flower textures like bouquets. And by aiming for the lighter shades of white and pink, like in the photo above, you can keep this look firmly in the chic realm.

Combine pink elements with seaside themes for a surprising take on the holiday. Image: melnikof / Shutterstock

Subtle Beachside Theme

Most people probably don’t think to combine subtle Valentine’s Day accents with a beach theme. But that’s what makes it so special and creative. You can see in the photo above how subtle pink accents combine with sea items, like the starfish and seashells.

A centerpiece like this is also easy to place on a table as part of a larger Valentine’s Day theme, like alongside red candles and roses. It can also go on a more neutral table setting and add a hint of romance. It’s a wonderful idea for if you’re spending the holiday in a seaside resort and you want to make the night special. It’s also a good idea for nautical home themes.

The post How to Get the Perfect Valentine’s Day Table Setting appeared first on Freshome.com.

Get The Look: 5 Themed New Year’s Eve Decor Ideas For Your Holiday Party

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Throwing a New Year’s Eve party can be stressful. In fact, it can even be difficult to know where to start. However, we believe that the easiest way to get a party started is to build the decor around a theme. With that in mind, we’ve brought you five themed New Year’s Eve decor ideas to help you get set for this year’s bash. Look them over to see which one best fits your personal sense of style.

Black and gold is a classic New Year’s color combo for a reason. Image: SMART ARCHITECHTURES

1. Go classic with black and gold

There’s nothing more traditional – or classic – than a New Year’s affair that’s decked out in black and gold. In this case, pulling the look off is all about creating a sense of balance throughout your entertaining area. Too much black may end up looking somber while an overabundance of gold may be too overwhelming to the eye.

To make sure that you achieve the perfect balance, pick one color to play a dominant role and allow the other color to play an accent role.

Get the look items:

Shine on with silver. Image: Frog Prince Paperie

2. Bring in some shine with silver

If lots of gold is not your thing, consider swapping it out for silver this year. Silver is a strong enough color to hold the theme on its own, or you can mix and match by adding in touches of other colors. With silver, you want to pay attention to the finish. Not all silver finishes are created equal so you’ll want to make sure you select finishes that match.

Get the look items:

2019 is going to be all about rose-colored items. Image: Pink The Town

3. Be on-trend with rose gold

Rose gold is a newcomer to the scene this year, but suddenly, we’re seeing it everywhere. If you want to be on-trend with your party this year, rose gold is the way to go. Simply step up your game by replacing all of your traditional New Year’s Eve decor with similar versions in this rose-colored hue and you’ll have created a fun and flirty celebration that anyone would be lucky to attend.

Get the look items:

Whenever possible, add a little whimsy to your New Year’s Eve decor. Image: SMART ARCHITECHTURES

4. Don’t be afraid to bring in plenty of whimsy

Who says New Year’s Eve has to be all about keeping up time-honored traditions? This time, why not ring in the new year with plenty of whimsy by making light of the whole ordeal? When going this route, your best bet is to check in with smaller, independent retailers rather than big-box stores.

Get the look items:

Think outside the box with navy. Image: Pom Joy Fun

5. Go navy for an unexpected twist

If you want to go with a theme that’s unexpected but still elegant, think about swapping out your usual black New Year’s Eve decor for navy versions. From navy kitchen cabinets to navy accent chairs, we’ve been seeing this dark blue hue become increasingly popular. There’s no reason why it can’t be paired with gold to create a party theme that stands out from the crowd.

Get the look items:

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