December 8, 2022

 

Winter is quickly arriving in the DMV and many of you are probably already doing exterior cleanup, tidying the house and putting up seasonal decor. 

Whether you want to beautify your home or create a sanctuary to hibernate in, you can integrate both festivity and functionality in your Mitchell & Best home. In today’s blog post, we’ll share our top winter decor ideas to help you decorate your custom home for enjoyment and heightened comfort.

 

Extend Your Outdoor Space

Not yet ready to move completely indoors? Extend your outdoor space to accommodate chillier temperatures. If you don’t have one, consider building a firepit. If building it isn’t feasible, use a space heater or portable fire pit to create the same type of ambiance. Arrange cozy outdoor furniture and add fuzzy throws and comfy pillows.

To further spruce up your exterior space, add some cheerful greens and arrange your firewood in a decorative display that makes it convenient. Imagine toasting marshmallows and sipping hot chocolate while enjoying the outdoors a little longer this year.

 

Winterize Your Homes

Add a seasonal touch and extra warmth for the upcoming cold winter nights by winterizing your abode: 

• Change out summer linens to a warmer flannel option
• Swap out bedding for sets with seasonal colors and designs
• Add a mohair or fleece blanket
• Swap out airy curtains for thick or thermal alternatives
• Add a cozy throw rug over your hardwood floors

When you decorate, the beauty of winterization is you can also add style. Use seasonal colors to reflect the outdoor temperatures, such as cool blues, whites and silvers, or aim for warmth with trademark reds, greens and golds.

 

Spruce Up Planters and Centerpieces

If you have a planter in your entryway, spruce it up with evergreens, moss and berries. Do the same for other planters you may have placed throughout your Mitchell & Best Next Door custom home. For your dining and kitchen tables, add a seasonal centerpiece, using items like sprigs of winter berries, wintry florals, evergreen clippings or pinecones. The Spruce offers numerous ideas you can use this winter to create stunning arrangements.

 

 

Add Winter Fragrances

Decor and accessories definitely beautify your home, but you can further heighten the senses by adding winter fragrances to complete the “feel” of the season. Use scented candles, wax melts or potpourri – pine needles, cinnamon, vanilla and similar scents provide the aromatic finish to your winter decor.

 

Prepare The Mud Room

Unfortunately, while winter has many beautiful things about it, the reality is that it comes with a mess. Rainy and snowy weather brings mud, moisture and general clutter. Prepare your mudroom to keep the clutter out of your living space.

 

Incorporate Winter Decor Into Your Mitchell & Best Next Door Custom Home

The key to beautifying your home while keeping its comfort level intact is to add these and other thoughtful winter decor ideas to your Mitchell & Best Next Door custom home. We believe a home should be your oasis, which is why we offer many customization options to create your perfect sanctuary. To learn more about how to create your dream home, contact us today.

December 5, 2022

 

When it comes to hosting a spectacular seasonal get-together, the first thing to do is properly prepare your home for holiday events. Getting your home in order influences how your guests enjoy their stay. A home put together well can improve the ambiance and mood, reduce stress and leave a positive lasting impression.

Below, we’ll share four essential tips to effectively prepare your home for holiday gatherings so it’s ready for your family and friends. Eliminate anxiety so you can focus on all the fun by having things in order ahead of time.

 

How to Prepare Your Custom Home for Holiday Events and Accommodate Any Guest

 

Declutter and Clean

With guests staying at your house, it’s the opportune time to eliminate any items that have lingered around for months. Determine whether you want to keep, donate, or trash items creating clutter. Do this weeks in advance to prevent overwhelming and exhausting yourself. 

Take a few hours over the weekend or just fifteen minutes a day to clear out any clutter and clean your walls, floors, windows and other surfaces guests will be around. Don’t neglect your landscaping, either! Clearing your walkway of any leaves and creating an inviting front porch can go a long way.

 

Prepare The Guest Room

Give your guests the five-star hotel treatment. If possible, provide a bed that’s suitable for them. If they are tall or prefer more room, have a large bed available. Consider an air mattress or folding bed if it’s within your budget. Use clean linens, towels and washcloths. It helps to have a spare set of them in case of accidental spills. Another extra to have is an empty closet for guests’ belongings. Have reading materials they’re interested in if they want to relax, along with a comfortable chair, reading lamp and side table.

 

Stock Up The Kitchen

Discuss with your guests beforehand to learn about any dietary requirements or food and drink preferences they have. Having your kitchen cabinets full of their favorite items will make them feel at home and eliminate the awkwardness of leaving them with little or nothing to snack on. 

One nice suggestion to consider is making a snack welcome basket. What you need is a simple woven basket with your guest’s favorite items, such as sparkling waters, wine, chocolate, nuts, and tea or cocoa mixes. Throw in some flowers and a festive mug, and tie it all together with a beautiful bow.

 

Spruce Up The Bathroom

While cleaning the house, pay extra attention to the bathroom. If your guests can have their separate bathroom, that is ideal since it will give them more freedom to organize it the way they like. Ensure countertops, mirrors, the toilet and tub are scrubbed and wiped to a sparkling shine. Then, have extra towels in a cabinet or basket nearby. Ask what their essential toiletries are and have them on the counter, in drawers or another basket. Though guests will generally bring what they need, it’s nice to know they are covered in case they forget something.

 

The Foundation of Any Memorable Holiday Celebration and Hosting

Though it’s important to prepare your home for holiday festivities so your family and friends have a good celebration, the type of house can influence how easily you can accommodate your guests.

At Mitchell & Best Next Door, we’ve been delivering luxury homes with sought-after features for over 40 years. Our houses are highly customizable, allowing you to have the ideal space and arrangement that suits your unique preferences and lifestyle. So, if you host a lot of celebrations, we have a house to make your guests feel like they’re at a luxury resort.

Contact us today to see how our quality homes can best serve your next holiday gathering, and view our gallery to see the floor plans and designs that make our homes a top industry standard.