It takes just 26 seconds for someone to judge your home as soon as they set foot inside, according to research.
So if you want to make sure they remember your house for all the right reasons, you might want to take heed of this advice.
Miranda Cresswell, brand director at OneFineStay, and Ariel Kaye, CEO of Parachute Hotels, revealed the simple changes you can make ahead of guests arriving that makes a lasting impression.
Miranda Cresswell, brand director at OneFineStay, and Ariel Kaye, CEO of Parachute Hotels, have shared the five ways you can ensure your guests are impressed when they come to visit
A stylish entrance
It may sound obvious but the women told My Domaine that a stylish entrance is paramount, noting that you’ll want to take your guests’ breath away.
‘Think bright, organised, and neutral,’ they said. They advise shunning any quirky decor and instead decorating the entrance with a few furnishings that match, or adding a chic mirror.
Choosing the right scent
The experts say that one of the quickest and simplest ways to give guests a great first impression is via a sweet scent.
A study by Trulia found that vanilla and fresh scents were the most popular among house hunters so they recommend lighting a candle or placing a diffuser in the entrance to add an elegant and uplifting ambiance.
Ditch the clutter
The experts say that the hallway should have absolutely zero clutter – and that includes shoes.
Not only will they make the space feel smaller, but they’ll make guests think you lack cleanliness.
The women say that keys should always be hung neatly on a key rack, while shoes should go in a rack.
If you have nowhere to store the mess, pop your possessions in a decorative wicker basket instead.
Paint the hall white
Incorporating the colour white into your home is the single quickest and easiest way to make it appear far more expensive.
Unlike saturated colors, the hue will never go out of fashion and is totally fool-proof. Visitors are also far more likely to think that a property has been recently decorated and is well taken care of.
Ivory acts as a blank canvas to furniture, artwork and accessories and automatically creates a feeling of space and elegance.
Personal touches
The ladies say a well-made bed is the most important part of impressing guests beyond the entrance hall.
They say that two pillows per side of the bed should always be incorporated, as well as a fresh set of towels and sheets folded on the side.
Sharing an insider hotel hack to creating perfectly folded towels, Kaye reveals: ‘First, lay the towel flat on a surface, and smooth out any wrinkles. Then, starting with the long side of the towel, fold the length in thirds.
‘Grasp the short side, and fold the towel in half. Repeat this step.’