As many are planning for fall and winter holiday celebrations, the Center for Disease Control has strategies to keep family and guests healthy and safe from COVID-19. While restrictions are still in place, now might be a great time to upgrade your home so it can also play a role. Here are some ideas worth considering!

Utilize the Open Floor Plan

Indoor gatherings are more of a risk. However, if it’s not possible to gather outside, ensure that you have enough space for your guests. Social distancing, along with wearing face masks, is important so homes with open floor plans can be great for hosting events. They allow people to mingle throughout the area relatively unimpeded. Of course, sometimes it’s nice to move to a different, clearly defined space. Maybe you want a change of scenery or you want to leave the group you’ve been chatting with to join a different one. Maybe you just want a bit more privacy for a moment. Try using your furniture to break up an open space without closing it off.

Update the Door Handles

One area of your home that is certain to carry a greater amount of germs are the door handles. Be sure to wipe down door hardware frequently or update your hardware with doorknobs and handles have a sealant built into the finish that inhibits bacteria growth. When bacteria come in contact with the door hardware, this protection gets into the cell wall of the micro organism stopping its spread and keeping your family and guests healthy.

Put Your Kitchen Bar to Work

A kitchen bar can be used for a variety of purposes. For example, it can be great for adding extra seating. If you’re offering a potluck or buffet style eating arrangement, it can be a great place to set food. It can also just be a nice place to sit and visit with people. This can be nice as a host if you’re still working on preparing food so you can still interact while keeping family and guests healthy.

Quartz countertops are antimicrobial and are a great choice right now. The blend of stone and resin means they are hard, stain and scratch resistant, and can kill germs or stop their growth. Brands we love are Caesarstone, Silestone, and Dekton. Wilsonart also makes a antimicrobial laminate countertop that also protects against mold and mildew.

Install Easy Cleaning Materials

Every party and gathering eventually comes to an end. Cleaning up soon follows. This can easily be the least enjoyable part of hosting guests. To make it easier on yourself, choose easy-to-clean flooring options. Do the same with countertops and furniture where you can. As tired as you may be after hosting, do yourself a favor and clean up sooner rather than later. It’ll be easier to clean up spills and prevent stains.

If you love hosting guests, this may be the best time to make sure your home is prepared. An open floor plan and extra kitchen seating can make parties much more enjoyable. Being able to clean things easily is even better. And of course, make sure you and your guests are social distancing (staying at least 6 feet apart), wearing masks, and washing their hands frequently. Making adjustments like these will help you keep your family and guests healthy get the most joy out of hosting in your home and that there will be even more events in the future.

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