guest friendly

psychological research demonstrates socialising with others is beneficial to our overall health. as innately social beings, spending time with others not only reduces feelings of loneliness, but also sharpens memory and cognitive skills, increases our sense of happiness and well-being and may even help us live longer. research also shows that whilst interacting via technology is beneficial, the benefits of socialising face to face are greater 

applied to interiors, we could consider how to make our homes more inviting to others, to increase opportunities for face to face interaction

three ways to make your home more inviting to others (and without increasing your hosting workload):

• open shelves - guests can easily identify where everything is and can ‘help themselves’ making them feel more comfortable in your home

• hallway furniture - guests can immediately identify where to hang and store their belongings as they enter your home, making them feel more relaxed 

• scatter cushions - adding a cushion to sofas and armchairs means guests can easily adjust their seating to meet their needs, making your home feel cozier