REMODEL FOR THE SWAPPERS?
Our dishwasher has been ill for some time. We have finally accepted the reality that it is time to put it out of its (noisy) misery. The rest of the kitchen is remodeled, but while the rest of the family was rejoicing that all the appliances would have matching stainless steel finishes, my first thought was that the place would look good when our next home exchangers arrive. Heaven help me, I'm a home exchanger.
QUICK CHANGES
Putting in a new appliance so your home looks better for your swap partners is a bit drastic. But if you really want your home to shine for your exchange partners there are some quick fixes that can really improve your home's look and "feel".
FRESHEN THAT PAINT
The least expensive way to give your home a significantly freshened feel is to repaint at least one wall in one room. White paint will help hide flaws and marks but more interesting colors can completely change your home's appeal. It is relatively fast and easy to paint a single wall and it can have a huge impact on the look and drama of your space.
ON THE SOFTER SIDE
Another inexpensive investment that goes a long way is a new set of high-quality sheets and towels for exchangers to use. We recently stayed in a big vacation home. The owner took great pains to point out to us that it was worth two million dollars. However, her scratchy, mismatched polyester sheets and ratty old towels gave the impression that we were instead staying in a budget motel.
By contrast, a one-bedroom flat we used in New Orleans had such sumptuous linens on the bed that I still think of them as my benchmark for sheets. That apartment went from feeling small to seeming like a jewel box just because the bed was so comfortable.
We had one exchanger who was allergic to cats if they slept on her bedding. We bought a new duvet and sheet set that had never been used so she could sleep cat-free.
KITCHEN FIXES
How is your dishware? Chipped and mismatched plates can give the impression of dining in a thrift shop. We found a line of everyday dishes called Corelle Hearthstone. It has a no-chip, break-resistance warranty and it has stayed chip-free in our home for years despite daily dishwasher use.
CLUTTER BUSTERS
Even if you have to put everything into a box to file later, make sure to eliminate clutter before your swap begins. A clean home looks less so when there are papers and objects on every surface.
PREPARE FOR GUESTS
You live in a home, not a hotel (unless you live in a hotel). Homeyness is one thing, but certain items need not be left out. Our youngest child is transitioning out of diapers, but our adult home exchange partners don't need to dodge her potty each time they use the bathroom. We took all of the kids' gear out of the bathroom, from tub toys to sink step stool. Suddenly our bathroom was twice as large and 10 times more grown-up.
FLOWER POWER
Nothing brightens a home like fresh flowers. Leave a vase filled with a lovely bouquet in your entry area. Whether or not you got around to the projects above, flowers can make any home special.
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