The moment your guests walk in the door, they notice many things, and none of them are huge. It’s not the chair in the hallway, it’s not the new mirror you spent a couple of hundred bucks on, it’s not the color of the walls, or the rug. It’s something else – something you hardly ever pay attention to.
You may have spent all afternoon cleaning the house and vacuuming, but your guests don’t notice the dust or the clutter.But the thing is that they’ll notice the weird smell by the door or the couch that’s hard to get up from.
Forget the throw pillows and don’t bother with the matching towels. Here’s what people truly pay attention to.
What Guests Pick Up On Right Away
Normal people don’t come into your house looking to judge you, but we’re all just human, and nobody can really help themselves when it comes to noticing what’s around them. It’s just something that happens, whether you want to or not.
Here’s what people notice within the first few minutes.
The Temperature
The very second you open the door, your guests can feel the air from your house against their skin.
Is it too cold? Too warm? Just right? The temperature does a lot when it comes to first impressions.
Of course, you can’t please everyone because everyone has different preferences, but try to keep the temperature comfortable all around your home.
Another thing your guests will notice is that the rooms have different temperatures. If the hallway is freezing, but the living room is boiling, that’s just… Weird.
And it doesn’t let people truly settle down and relax.
Smells
Humans notice scents fast. Really fast. And nobody wants to smell last night’s takeout or a musty old basement. People usually won’t mention any of that because they want to be polite, but come on, it’s embarrassing.
Open a window to let in fresh air. It will work better than any scented candle of Bath and Body Works wallflower.Artificial scents can make people feel nauseous, and it can also kind of make them wonder what you’re trying to cover up.
Go natural and clean; it beats anything else.
Small Signs of Wear
A water stain on the ceiling or the peeling paint near the window is something that will catch your guests’ eye, but they probably won’t point it out. And this isn’t something that comes from a lived-in space; it comes only from neglect. Yes, you have a job, and kids, and chores, and you want to have a social life, but it is what it is.
This is neglect.
Ceiling marks and signs of water damage are especially noticeable. The problem with those is that many people decide to skimp on quality roofing and go with something cheap, not something appropriate for their climate.
For example, a roofing contractor in Elysburg PA would never recommend the same roof as one in Phoenix, AZ. The PA one would opt for an angled roof to deal with snow buildup, while the one in Arizona would be more about heat management since there’s no snow there. This means that in AZ, instead of a steeply pitched roof, the contractor will go for a low-slope (or even flat) roof.
But many homeowners don’t think about that.
Lighting and Its Effect on Mood
Harsh overhead lights have their purpose. If you lose a contact lens, they will surely help you find it. But if you’re entertaining, and you want to set a mood that doesn’t say 'You’re in a dentist’s office', you don’t want them. Soft lamps in corners make your space feel homey, and guests will immediately feel more comfortable.
If it’s daytime, stick to as much natural light as possible. Everyone loves natural light, and if your house has plenty of it, guests will really appreciate it.
Background Noise
Every home has a sound, yours included. You’re so used to it that you don’t hear it, but it’s there, alright, and your guests are aware of it. Can you hear the traffic from the street? Does your fridge hum? Is your dishwasher running?
Keep in mind that none of these are necessarily bad. On the contrary, some people find them soothing and comforting. Others don’t like them, but everyone will notice. There’s not much you can do about it, though, so it’s all kind of… There.
The Seating and Whether It Looks Inviting
Guests will glance at a couch and immediately figure out if this is the place they want to sit or not. Soft seats that aren’t sunken are ideal; stiff and stained ones aren’t. It’s okay if the furniture shows signs of use, but there’s a difference between looking used and looking neglected.
There’s no need for anything expensive, just something that can hold a person without looking like it will fall apart.
Conclusion
Don’t blame your guests for noticing stuff around your house, especially things that you don’t want them noticing. It’s not their fault; this happens automatically. Our senses pick up on things, and you can’t help it.
The good thing is that guests don’t want much; they simply want to be comfortable. That means that you and your house don’t have to be perfect, just welcoming.
