Decor to Welcome Guests Back to Your Home

As we start to socialize again, here are a few decorative touches to help you warmly receive guests

By Jennifer Rhode

As more of us get vaccinated, we can finally begin to welcome people back to our homes. To celebrate this exciting development, we’ve chosen a few whimsically modern elements to add to your porch, patio, garden or foyer to usher in family and friends.

Come On In

Handcrafted welcome signs by Etsy artists come in a wide variety of styles and fabrications. Here are some to consider.

If you like a bold metal look, Artepera’s laser-cut steel “hello” is super-friendly and approachable. Set in lowercase letters, the sign is designed to hang ¾-inches away from the wall. artepera.com

Photo above by Artepera Wall Art Decor

The modern farmhouse “hi” sign from 42nd Circle Design is as simple as it gets. The hand-painted lettering is applied to an inch-thick wooden block that’s been stained to bring out the grain. etsy.com/shop/42ndcircledesign

Photo by Stephanie@somewhatsimpleblog

Atomic Avocado Designs’ welcome signs are made from laser-cut acrylic and come in custom colors. The midcentury-inspired signs are decorated with twinkling starbursts, and the hidden float-mount hardware makes for easy installation. atomicavocadodesigns.com

Photo by Holly Whittington

Make It MAT-ter

Consider “stepping up” your doormat by varying the shapes and colors. Here are a few ideas.

A bright rainbow mat from The Novogratz or hippo and hare mats from Droog Design (droog.com) will put smiles on guests’ faces as they enter the door.

If you want something more traditional, The Novogratz also offers standard rectangular mats with inscriptions like “hello” and “gather,” which is what we are all so excited to do! shopthenovogratz.com

Photo by The Novogratz

Gleeful Gnomes

These garden gnomes will playfully welcome your visitors.

Whimsical fibro-cement gnomes from Wanda Collection feature candy-colored hats and different poses to merrily greet guests. wanda-collection.co.uk

Photo courtesy Wanda Collection

Multiuse gnomes by Phillip Starck for Kartell add whimsy to the garden and serve as extra seating and side tables. They’re easily transported, so you can rearrange them for any size gathering. ylighting.com

Photo by Kartell

Pots with Panache

Load the front porch with pots of colorful, fragrant blooms to greet your guests as they cross the threshold. Here are a couple of suggestions.

Fermob’s high basket planters can hold small gardens and come in an array of solid colors, including pink praline, ice mint, lagoon blue and more. The planters add cheer to any porch and are available locally at Fruehauf’s in Westminster. fermobusa.com

Photo by Stephane Rambaud, courtesy Fermob

Fill The Novogratz’s indoor-outdoor Penelope rolling cart with pots you can easily wheel to any location. The steel cart comes in a lively range of colors, including aqua, persimmon and bright yellow. shopthenovogratz.com

Photo by The Novogratz

Striped Madrid pots from Think Outside are individually made with recycled and sustainable materials so each vessel is unique and eco-friendly. The pots come in round or square shapes and are available locally at Fruehauf’s in Westminster. thinkoutside.biz

Photo courtesy Think Outside

Light the Way

The following outdoor lanterns emit welcoming light for evening visitors.

Portable Balad lights from Fermob come in tabletop and standing-lamp versions, and some have handles so guests can carry them like lanterns. They have three light temperatures: neutral white, cool white and a new shimmering light effect that resembles a flickering candle. Available locally at Fruehauf’s in Westminster. fermobusa.com

Photo by Sebastien Erome, courtesy Fermob

Blu Dot wink lanterns are hexagonally shaped and made of perforated aluminum to cast sparkling light and interesting shadows. The collection comes in three sizes and fun colors, and is available locally at Mod Livin’ in Denver. bludot.com

Photo by Blu Dot

Birdhouses

These contemporary birdhouses attract different fliers and let you bird-watch with friends from the comfort of your patio.

Mosaic Birds’ circular feeders have a long steel trough for pellets or seeds that songbirds will enjoy at this hanging bistro. Their colorful cottage feeders are designed to attract hummingbirds. mosaicbirds.com

Photos by Mosaic Birds by Couronne Co.

Teak and aluminum are the midcentury materials in Gloster Furniture’s art deco bird homes with streamlined, minimal silhouettes that attract birds with modern sensibilities. The homes are available locally at Fruehauf’s in Westminster. gloster.com/en-us

Photo by Gloster Furniture

Jennifer Rhode is a Boulder-based interior designer. Visit her online at jenniferrhode.com.