I was watching a YouTube video the other day over at the Daily Connoisseur entitled, Five Tips to an Efficient Home, and I was struck by one of Jennifer’s tips.
She advised that you treat your home as if it were a boutique hotel. She didn’t go into a whole lot of detail about how exactly to achieve this, but I thought the idea was so creative, and a great way to change your mindset in regards to how you view your home, and the time spent maintaining it.
I remember, years and years ago, reading a blog post by author, Chautona Havig, about treating your home like a Bed and Breakfast instead of *just* home.
The idea being, if you are running a beautiful Bed and Breakfast, will you allow those crumbs on the kitchen floor to just remain, unswept? Will you allow the clutter on your hutch to accumulate? (I’m speaking to myself here, my hutch is a current hot spot that needs to be cleared!)
I decided to dig into this idea a bit further. I desperately need some inspiration. And if home is the place where my children and I are spending the majority of our time, why shouldn’t it be as beautiful, comfortable, and have as much ambiance as a chic boutique hotel?
I read a few different articles and looked at pictures of boutique hotel lobbies, bathrooms, bedrooms, and of course, the dining areas. Here are a few areas where we can draw some inspiration and motivation.
Boutique Hotels are Uncluttered and Clean
Let’s start with the obvious, our living space needs to be uncluttered and clean. I’m including myself in this because I definitely have NOT arrived when it comes to keeping my home uncluttered.
Clutter feels like a constant battle, and I’m always looking for ways to do away with it. But it just needs to be dealt with, every day. We all know that the less “stuff” we have, the easier it is to keep the space clean.
Let’s think about that gorgeous, welcoming hotel lobby. Every single thing in that lobby is there for a purpose, nothing was just left out. Everything is in its place, and it’s the staff’s job to keep it that way.
Bright and Airy
The glass on the windows and doors is sparkling, and there is plenty of natural light shining through.
No harsh, fluorescent lights, only soft, warm lighting in beautiful light fixtures. The light fixtures are free from dust and well maintained.
I’ve just added something to my to-do list…use some Windex wipes and clean the clear glass globes on my ceiling fans. They are dusty and cloudy when they should be sparkling.
Boutique Hotels Stock Luxury Items
When you use the restroom in a boutique hotel (whether in the lobby or in your room) what do you find? A beautiful, luxurious space.
Soft, clean, fluffy hand towels, a clear counter space, beautiful fixtures, and a luxurious, moisturizing scented hand soap. The nicest places also have a coordinating hand lotion!
While it doesn’t make a whole lot of sense to have the nicest luxury items n the children’s bathrooms, the powder room (that your guests will use), the guest bathroom, and your master bathroom should have these nice little touches.
Even if you are on a tight budget, you can purchase a few nicer items (TJ Maxx often has nicer towels, soaps and lotions).
The fixtures in my bathrooms are a bit dated, but I can easily overlook those by having the space clean, tidy, and decorated nicely. A few pictures on the wall, along with nice soap containers goes a long way to update a space.
Boutique Hotels Use Their Best
Do you have “nice” china, cloth napkins, maybe even some crystal and silver that you keep stored in a china cabinet and take out twice a year (Thanksgiving and Christmas)?
Take it out now! Use it right now! Today is worth celebrating too!
Think about how nice it makes you feel to use your very best dishes, your best glassware, your best silverware.
How does it make you feel to set a lovely table with a tablecloth, cloth napkins, some fresh flowers, and a few candles?
It’s downright decadent! And I’ll bet you dollars to donuts that you already have 90% of the items you need to set a glorious table, you just have them stored away for a special occasion.
You are the special occasion. Your family is the special occasion. Take out your best and your favorites and use them often. You don’t have to use them every single day, but pull them out at least weekly.
Again, speaking to myself. I have lovely multi-colored Fiestaware that we use for every day. But I have only been pulling out my fine china and silver for holidays. I enjoy eating with it so much, it’s time to indulge way more regularly.
Ambiance
Soft music and candles can transform a space from utilitarian into magical with the strike of a match and the push of a button.
Compile a few different playlists for different occasions.
-morning chores
-breakfast
-lunch
-afternoon chores
-quiet time
-dinner preparation
-dinner
-dinner clean-up
-dance party!
Wouldn’t it be lovely to have a different playlist for each of these cornerstone anchors in your daily routine? The whole day would feel completely different!
Light some candles in the late afternoon or evening! Transform the atmosphere with a soft flickering candle.
Boutique Hotels Have Local Flair
One really great quality that most boutique hotels have in common is that they display some local flair.
If you enjoy having artwork displayed on your walls, consider purchasing some art made by a local artist. You could also purchase a vase or two, a table or other piece of furniture.
Purchasing local art and handwork is an excellent way to connect you to your community and bring culture into your home.
Bringing it all together…
Obviously, this is a list that you should pick and choose from. If you are a more casual diner, and have no fine china, then skip that part. If you live in a town that only has one artisan who makes log beds, and you prefer Shaker style furniture, there’s no need to make a change.
But which of these boutique qualities does appeal to you? For me, it’s using my best every day instead of just occasionally, as well as keeping the space totally clutter-free.
If you need help with the cleaning and organizing part, start with my FREE cheat sheet below!
I’m also determined to compile those playlists! There are not many external things that a person can do that have as much impact as music, so I’m going to make that a priority!
What about you? Did any of these ideas inspire you to make some changes in how you view your own home?
Here are some additional posts that I’ve written that may help you transform your home:
Four Sneaky Ways to Cultivate a Tidy Home, When You Just Don’t Have Time
Tidying Up- Leave Every Room Better Than You Found It
How to Make a Home Routine That Will Save Your Sanity
How to Crack the Code to Your Best Daily Routine
Chautona says
Hi! Obviously, I’m all for this, but I really love how you’ve taken it to a whole new level.
I always say, “Why do we give everyone but our family our best and let our family have the leftovers. I really try not to do that, but I don’t always succeed. This is just one more nudge to get ‘er done!
Lydia @ Thrifty Frugal Mom says
I love this! And it’s been something that I’ve been thinking about lately, especially since we moved and are working at decorating and fixing up a new house. I’m all for saving money, but I’ve also decided that it’s important to make our home a cozy, welcoming haven for us and for anyone that we invite into our home. So that means that I’m going to be willing to spend a bit more money on decor and things like fluffy towels to create that atmosphere.
Thanks for the encouragement to make our house feel like a boutique hotel. For me, it helps make this whole homemaking thing seem fun, something that wasn’t always the case. 🙂
Ashley Buffa says
Agreed, Lydia! I’m proud of you for making your home cozy from the get-go. Having a few well-chosen decor items and luxuries makes the housework so much more worth it to me!
Lea says
I love the bathroom suggestions it’s one room I feel I can never get right !!! Although it is just a bathroom all the luxurious items mentioned make it sound so inviting !
Brenda Merkle says
I love opening my home! I end my day making sure dishes are put away, nothing is laying around like clothes, mail, coffee cups, and decorative pillows are fluffed for the next day! These things , if done daily take no time at all. I personally find pleasure in a clutter free home. Keeping my home picked up daily instead of on the weekends, makes me always ready for that friend to pop over for a visit or cup of coffee. Tv time, for me, is less important than going to bed with a messy house and getting up to start my day facing it. I don’t scour my sinks daily, nor do I run my sweeper or mop every day. Those are left for when they are needed. Keep your homes clutter free daily because leaving it for the weekend makes a much more time consuming clean and will allow you to enjoy your weekend for entertainment at home or away!