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| HOW TO GET YOUR HOME READY FOR CASUAL WINTER ENTERTAINING When we think about winter entertaining, we often focus on the big holidays. But we host plenty of other gatherings this time of year — cookie-baking and football-watching parties, casual dinners, chats over a cup of coffee. Here’s how to make your house cozy and welcoming for you and your guests this season.
Call the chimney sweep. If you have a fireplace, have your chimney inspected and cleaned once or twice a year. A clogged chimney can lead to house fires or carbon monoxide entering the home.
Test your fire and carbon monoxide alarms and check your extinguishers. As you and your guests will be spending a lot of time indoors, be sure to check your safety devices. Test your fire and carbon monoxide alarms, change batteries as necessary and check the expiration dates on your fire extinguishers. Do Some Deep Cleaning and Decluttering
Between the big holidays and casual get-togethers with friends, you may be entertaining more now than at any other time of year. Use this as an excuse to clean, declutter and organize now rather than waiting until spring. Deep clean your kitchen, dining and living rooms. Make sure these rooms are spick and span — you’ll get more than enough grease and cookie crumbs on them over the next few months. Focus on the jobs that often get forgotten or put off: dusting around and under books and decor, vacuuming the couch, washing curtains, descaling appliances and cleaning or replacing exhaust filters. This is also a good time to tackle stubborn baked-on stains on cookware and baking trays, and replace any items no longer in good shape. Get your windows cleaned. Light is at a premium in the winter so make sure your windows are letting as much of it in as possible. Check your dishware and linens. Check dishes, mugs and glasses for chips and table linens for holes and stains. Toss out and replace any dinnerware that’s seen better days. Count your plates, cutlery and glassware to make sure you have enough for both smaller and larger gatherings.
For casual get-togethers, go easy on yourself and aim for simple table settings, such as easy-to-wipe placemats on a bare table. Check your tablecloths, napkins and any special glasses or dishware too. You’ll be grateful when it comes time to prep for holiday dinners. Get Your Indoor and Outdoor Spaces Ready for Winter Coziness — and Mess Prepare your mudroom for wet boots. Your guests will tramp in plenty of rain and snow so make sure your mudroom or hallway can cope with the added mess. Lay down heavy-duty mats outside the door for storing boots and lighter rugs inside to protect the floor and ensure your guests don’t slip on a wet surface. Move extra coats and shoes to another storage area to make room for your guests’ things. Bring in seating to make it easier to put on winter boots and accommodate guests with limited mobility. Lean into coziness in your living and dining rooms. Think throw pillows with soft, tactile, natural textures; warm blankets; and plenty of candles on tables and shelves to break through winter darkness. Think about creating small, cozy vignettes throughout the space, particularly for smaller gatherings.
Bring in natural accents. Branches in a vase make a beautiful centerpiece on a dining or coffee table. Evergreen branches — in vases, or as wreaths or garlands on the mantelpiece — are easy Christmas decor, and they can be used throughout winter if you remove holiday accents such as red bows or baubles. Indoor plants too can provide some of the greenery this season. Prepare your outdoor rooms.
Winter doesn’t mean you have to stay inside if you keep your outdoor spaces looking good. Treat wood features appropriately so they survive winter wet. Clear away fallen leaves, debris and snow on a regular basis, wipe down outdoor dining tables and keep cushions accessible. Think about setting up a fire pit or prep an outdoor fireplace. Cushions and candles won’t go amiss either. Get your grill or outdoor kitchen in shape if weather allows for cold-weather barbecues. And stock plenty of mulled wine or hot chocolate to keep everyone comfy. Think about curb appeal.
For a quick update ahead of casual entertaining, consider hanging a winter wreath, creating a container vignette or setting out lanterns. If you’re ready for a bigger project, plant varieties that provide interest through the colder months. Go for winter-flowering plants such as winter jasmine, plants with winter berries such as English holly (Ilex aquifolium) and grasses that can add sculptural interest even when they fade to brown. Update Your Lighting Indoors and Out
In the dark of winter, lighting is especially important, so make sure you have a functional, layered lighting scheme that includes both task and ambient lighting. Plug-in, battery-powered and solar lamps and light fixtures can be placed indoors and out to add illumination where you need it without having to rewire. Throw in some candles (real or electric) or twinkle lights for a touch of winter magic. They’re low cost and low effort, making them perfect for adding a lovely touch to smaller or casual gatherings. Be sure any lights you use outside are rated for outdoor use. Set Up a Coffee Station
You’re going to be making a lot of hot drinks in the coming months, so why not set up a dedicated drinks station with everything you need for coffee, tea and hot chocolate? Assign part of your counter and cabinet space to the coffee machine, kettle, mugs and ingredients. If you’re planning a remodel, consider carving out space for a dedicated station for the future. While big gatherings are going to have their own grocery lists, keep your bar and pantry well-stocked for surprise visits and impromptu get-togethers. For your bar or bar cart, think about warming liqueurs, winter cocktails and boozy coffees in addition to your usual selection. Be sure to provide low- or no-alcohol versions of favorite drinks. To make life easier, consider serving charcuterie or cheese boards, bowls of roasted nuts and quick dinners made with pantry staples. Keep snacks, coffee, tea and sugar on hand. If you’re an avid baker, make sure you have what you need to whip up a batch of cookies. If that’s not a hobby, packaged snacks kept on hand are just as good for welcoming guests. Treat Yourself Like the Guest The best thing about low-key gatherings is that you don’t need fine china or elaborate centerpieces. Instead, think about how to create the most coziness for the least effort. That also means you don’t have to wait for guests to show up to light those candles or indulge in a nice hot chocolate. Set up your spaces so you can treat yourself to winter magic every day. Original Source: https://www.houzz.com/magazine/how-to-get-your-home-ready-for-casual-winter-entertaining-stsetivw-vs~183498706 |
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Take care of fall maintenance jobs before winter cold sets in so you and your guests are comfortable and safe.
Have your heating system cleaned and checked, and your boiler serviced. Experts recommend having oil heaters cleaned yearly and gas systems maintained every three years or so. You should have the filters in your furnace changed regularly as well. It’s recommended that boilers be serviced annually by a qualified engineer.
Get your gutters cleaned. Cleaning leaves out of your gutters ensures they function properly to keep water away from your building envelope and help you avoid leaks.