How to Make Your Home Welcoming

A huge part of hosting your own little village is having a space to welcome them. God calls us to open our hearts and homes in whatever ways we can. This can be overwhelming. Besides coordinating and cooking, there's actually clearing your space to even entertain the thought of entertaining. Frankly, it takes a lot to run a household!

“Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins. Offer hospitality to one another without grumbling” (1 Peter 4:8-9, NIV).

We know God's vision for us usually involves gathering not isolating. But how do we do this without the grumbling? For starters, having your home feel more manageable will make hosting feel less daunting. It will allow you to fret less and connect more. So we put together a few things to focus on to make your home not only a better sanctuary for you but a better (and sustainable) place to receive guests.

Make it ready to receive.

This first impression and experience can really make a difference for your entering village. Think about where do your guests enter your home? Keep that entryway or mudroom or foyer guest-ready. Have a tray or mat to receive shoes, and keep spare hangers in your coat closet. No closet? Not to worry! Consider hooks in your entryway or a coat rack. Small space or budget? Even adding a simple, beautiful piece of art or welcome mat can send the right message. Literally. Anything that makes it feel like your guests are welcome and cared for the minute they walk in the door. This will help set the tone regardless of what your house looks like as they journey in.

Make it smell inviting.

One of our most powerful senses is smell. Here are a few habits that can be extremely helpful in cultivating a welcoming aroma for guests when they enter your home. Consider one or all of these:

Open the windows! A simple yet effective way to prevent the air from getting stagnant and keeping it fresh in your home. Not only is this such a helpful way to keep your loved ones healthy, it's extremely re-energizing. Clear the air at least once a week (if not every day).

Keep it tidy. Okay maybe an obvious one, but it can really help with the physical feel of your home. And it does not need to be magazine-ready here. Just having a rhythm of putting away clutter regularly will help keep up with cleaning schedules--whether you do it yourself or have help come in to keep your house going. Keeping clutter down allows for easier cleaning habits like regular waste removal and wiping the active surfaces to avoid sticky and stinky messes. Want more ideas on keeping things tidy and cared for? Check out our

post Habits to Nurture Your Household.

Switch it up with the seasons. There's nothing like embracing the scents of the season to get you in the spirit. Go for a bundle of fresh, native greenery, a favorite candle, an aroma diffuser, or even a simmer pot to switch up your home's scent each quarter or so. We become nose blind, so adding some variety will keep you very aware of how your home truly mells.

Make it accommodating.

This does not have to be elaborate to feel thoughtful. We are talking about a few extra hand towels and a good hand soap in the bathroom here. Adding a blanket basket or blanket ladder to make the living room even cozier. Maybe you bust out the fun guest napkins in the dining room. Try adding a flavored water dispenser on your kitchen counter with glasses nearby. Just a little extra something in the common areas of your home to make your village feel a little more welcomed. Need to make it even simpler to upkeep? Try a disposable option for these accommodations. Make it work for you!

While having these tips tucked up your sleeve will help us feel hostess-ready, we can't forget the most important piece. Which is even when our homes don't feel "guest ready" we can still be welcoming and generous with our homes. God reminds us that fretting over the details is never the point of gathering, it's seeking each other's presence.

One of the most famous examples where Jesus teaches us this lesson is in the story of the sisters, Martha and Mary.

"Now as they went on their way, Jesus entered a village. And a woman named Martha welcomed him into her house. And she had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord’s feet and listened to his teaching. But Martha was distracted with much serving. And she went up to him and said, ‘Lord, do you not care that my sister has left me to serve alone? Tell her then to help me.’ But the Lord answered her, ‘Martha, Martha, you are anxious and troubled about many things, but one thing is necessary. Mary has chosen the good portion, which will not be taken away from her’” (Luke 10:38-42, ESV). 

We have all been the Martha. To be bothered by all the intricacies and details of hosting we forget to pause and simply just be present.  Let Martha serve as our reminder to be prepared to welcome, to be hospitable, and to serve our people. But not at the expense of running ourselves ragged with worry. Let Mary serve as our example to focus on what God calls us to, not be anxious about every little thing, but to be present with Him, His teachings, and His people.

Remember a welcoming home does not need to feel unattainable. It's not about perfect. It's about the right effort in the right places. Keeping a regular cleaning rhythm and having a small arsenal of hostess goodies on hand goes a long way to being guest-ready. Let these tips help take the pressure off and keep the focus on welcoming your village as Our Father calls us to.