3 things party goers will always notice about your home

Recently I’ve seen several viral videos of husbands making fun of how their wives think guests will behave when they arrive at their house. Exaggerated reactions to dirty laundry (tucked away in a basket, mind you), fingers swiping across baseboards to reveal dust (gasp!) and using their own personal lint removers are just some of the hilarious antics they use to combat the ridiculous measures taken by some of us show us how to prepare our homes for guests. My husband, who now understands the difference between the “us” bathroom towels and the “guest” bathroom towels, is in the same boat as these men.

And of course they are right. People you invite to your home, usually close friends and family, will not rush to your bedroom to see if you made the bed that morning, and your loved ones won’t judge you (or at least won’t like you) for opting for paper plates for a tailgate. Even if this common sense is somewhere in our brains, kind hosts cannot help but want everything to be as perfect as possible for their guests (yes, even in the rooms no one enters). And while people won’t go out of their way to dissect the cleanliness of your home, they won’t walk in blindfolded either.

To get a realistic picture of these situations, I conducted the survey Southern life editors and my own friends about what they do Actually I looked into people’s homes when they were invited to a gathering, and the answers were surprisingly endearing. For example, one editor says that the simple choice to display family photos is something she appreciates. “I like seeing old photos as well as new ones, but it gives me a nice way to connect with my host.”

So no, they don’t bring a magnifying glass to look for stains on the carpet; the things they remember are much more about the experience. Here are the big takeaways.

The atmosphere

The most common responses had to do with the overall atmosphere of the party, not the smallest details of the evening. For example, if you have a nice-smelling candle or diffuser on, it will make the atmosphere feel luxurious but warm at the same time. “Personally, I always notice when there’s a good candle burning somewhere,” says editor Kaitlyn Yarborough. “It’s so cozy and cozy. It’s also a super easy finishing touch for the host!”

In the same vein, music contributes greatly to the atmosphere of the evening. No sound is uncomfortable, blaring beats are unpleasant, but a melody playing softly in the background: that’s just right.

Fresh flowers or simple greenery also immediately enhance the atmosphere. “Fresh flowers are such a small detail in the grand scheme of someone’s home, but I always appreciate the selection, the vase, the placement… it makes all the difference!” says Associate Editorial Director Katie Rousso. Knowing that a host takes the time and care took to A bouquet in the store personally makes me feel like an honored guest. When I’m the host, it’s often as affordable and effortless as placing a few eucalyptus branches from Trader Joe’s in a bud vase in the powder room.

Photo: Laurey W. Glenn; Styling: Buffy Hargett Miller

The bathroom

If there’s one place in your home that will make an impression, it’s unfortunately the bathroom. This makes sense, as this is the only place where guests are alone and have a quiet moment to actually look around the room and pay attention. Of which? Survey says: everything. Not that any adult needs this advice, but I’ve done my due diligence: make sure you have a clean towel ready. Check it throughout the night to make sure it’s still presentable and doesn’t need to be swapped out, or better yet, buy some cute disposable ones. Sanitary and festive! Looking back at our first section, a pleasant candle or small flower arrangement by the sink is a sure sign of a thoughtful host.

When it’s time to tidy up the house ahead of time, pay extra attention to the toilet. As I said, this is probably the unique moment when your guests have no other distractions and therefore no choice but to take in their surroundings. Give this room a thorough cleaning in every corner.

The good things

You don’t always have to use ‘the good stuff’ (and you certainly aren’t expected to), but setting the table with fine porcelain, sterling silver or crystal makes everyone feel like a guest of honor. “It always strikes me when they bring out the beautiful china,” says senior living editor Betsy Cribb Watson. “I’m not at all offended when we eat on paper, plastic or regular plates, but I do feel special when a friend brings out the good stuff just for me!”

Not only will your friends and family feel extra special when they use the pieces you normally reserve for the holidays, but they will also make notes for their own collections. “I always appreciate nice serveware!” says Rousso. “I think, ‘Oh, what an incredibly fitting piece for that exact dish she/he is serving! And it’s beautiful? How did she/he do that?’”

So don’t spend every Thursday evening polishing your silver. But if you do it every now and then, it won’t go unnoticed by the party goers.

The final verdict

If you read the headline and thought, I’d say guests always notice if there is a speck of dust present in your home, I hope you feel a little better. The things they actually remember about their visit have to do with how they felt when they were there and the small gestures you as a host make to make them feel that way. These are the tips that will make your party memorable for all the right reasons. Just change those towels, everyone.