With the CDC loosening guidelines, mask restrictions ending around the country, and vaccination distribution heating up — many are asking the same question: how do we celebrate once the COVID-19 pandemic is safely in our rearview mirror?
The United States isn’t completely out of the woods yet, but we’re finally able to see an impending end to the pandemic. If you're a homeowner, you’re probably excited to host your friends and family at home for some much-needed quality time.
For those with the hosting itch, impressing your guests may be a top priority, and updating your home prior to your first post-Covid gathering is the perfect way to do so. Since it’s been a while since anybody’s hosted large groups, here are some tips to keep in mind and some top amenities that’ll surely impress and entertain your guests .
The top amenities for hosting outside
The whole country has been cooped up inside for over a year, so you’ll most likely want to take your party outside to take advantage of the summer weather.
First, focus on sprucing up your outdoor space with some simple maintenance, like mowing the lawn, washing off the patio, and planting some flowers.
Next, you’ll want to purchase some of the most coveted outdoor amenities. According to HomeLights Spring 2021 Survey, 76.8% of agents claim the top outdoor amenity going into summer is a fire pit. Barbecue grills, outdoor lights, and comfortable outdoor furnishings follow right behind on the agents’ list.
If you don’t have the budget for huge purchases, outdoor games, like cornhole and horseshoes, will surely keep everyone in your group entertained. If worse comes to worse, set up a speaker, put out a bowl of chips, and simply let your loved ones mingle as they celebrate the end of an unprecedented year.
Top amenities for hosting inside
Sometimes hosting a party outside isn’t always an option. If the weather gets in your way or you simply don’t have the outdoor space necessary, there’s always the option to keep everyone happy inside. Remember, entertainment is still the name of the game, so the best place to start is by creating a rec room.
A billiards table or ping pong table are great additions to any party if you have the extra space. If kids are going to be in attendance, they’ll also love having their own space to place.
Your next focus? Since the kitchen is always the center point of any good party, that should be where you focus most of your energy. Guests will often find themselves gathered around the kitchen during parties, so you’ll want to do some general updates to this area in order to really impress.
When asked about the top kitchen amenities for hosting, top real estate agents dubbed extra bar seating, a large kitchen island, ample storage space, and a wine fridge as the most coveted amenities.
If you have the budget for heftier renovations, a separate bed and bath for your guests is the top basement upgrade nationwide.
The best part? All these upgrades won’t just satisfy your guests, but they’ll also earn you a favorable return on investment should you decide to sell, so long as you pick an experienced real estate agent to have by your side.
