How to make your home guest-friendly this Hari Raya

by Aisha Capulong

Expecting guests over this Hari Raya? Welcome them into your abode through these small, thoughtful changes in home layout to maximise their enjoyment and comfort while visiting

Hari Raya, also known as Eid al Fitr, is a joyous month for Muslims all around the world. It follows a month-long fasting period decreed to plunge those who practice into a sense of humility and appreciation for the mundane. Hari Raya symbolises a ‘closing’ of the fasting month and is a season that is often associated with entertaining guests in your home to celebrate these festivities together.

While delicious catering is often a major factor for these get-togethers, you can also extend your consideration through actions that show your gratitude and courtesy. We’ve put together a handful of tips below on how to make your abode one that is mindfully curated for guests this Hari Raya, and none of them require permanent nor costly changes!

Create a warm and welcoming home for Hari Raya 2025

Open up the foyer

As your groups of guests come and go, be it for your Hari Raya ‘open house’ or simply for a private family gathering, allow them a seamless experience in finding your home’s main entrance by opening up the doors and barriers that lead to your foyer. Plus, the use of festive signages like LED-lit ketupats here and there can help your guests visually distinguish main entry points.

‘Opening up’ can also come in the form of uncluttering the foyer area, which will prove pertinent in making the space feel less crowded as guests trickle in and out. Temporarily adopt a function-focused minimalist approach for the foyer’s fixtures, and by this, we mean the hiking poles and e-scooters that are often left by the entrance can be kept hidden from sight just this time.

Mark an area for shoes by the entrance

Another helpful action for your welcomed guests is to clearly designate a space for them to leave their shoes as they enter your home. If there are shoe racks or cabinets by your entrance, empty them for your guests’ use and only reposit your shoes once you’ve hosted the get-together. Doing so can prevent your guests from the struggle of looking up and down for their shoes as they are leaving, possibly causing bottleneck traffic at the doorway.

A barrage of shoes by the door can even pose a safety hazard for children and the elderly, so it may be in your best interest to create a space dedicated for your guests’ shoes that keeps the paths clear and obstruction-free. If you’re working with limited space by the foyer, organise the shoes in a single-file line along the walls of the walkway right before your next batch of guests arrive.

Set up a self-service 'welcome table' between the entrance and reception area

As your guests make their way through your home and to the main reception area, offer them a pleasant surprise of light bites and drinks to fuel up from their travel or commute. This ‘pit-stop’ of sorts can be where various kuih raya, soft drinks and sundries are served, away from the main Hari Raya dishes that await them in the reception space.

Guests can also come back to the ‘welcome table’ for light bites if they feel snacky throughout their time at your home. The self-service aspect grants them a sense of choice while easing some responsibility off your shoulders as you tend to the main reception area, so it’s a win-win situation. Just be sure to restock the spread from time to time!

Position coat racks near main reception area

For the comfort and convenience of your guests, you can place coat racks (that are by no means permanent fixtures if you prefer!) by the main area you plan to host them at, whether the gathering is set to center around the living room or whether it’s heavily intended as a dining room occasion. This is so they can hang their bags and other personal items securely and without the disarray that may come if these items are left laying around on the floor or in between sofa cushions.

Explore all five senses to make your home unforgettable

It’s true! Research shows people are more likely to remember experiences when it caters to as many of the five senses at a given time. We’re sure the rendang you’ll be serving for Hari Raya will be phenomenal, but what about the other four senses of touch, smell, sound and sight? These can be indulged through simple changes in your home layout!

The utilisation of soft carpets and textured tablemats will add coziness to your abode while ticking ‘touch’ off the checklist. You can even serve food in dishes made of fluted glass or other textures so your guests remember more than just, ‘It was good food.’ Stimulate the olfactory through home fragrances and scented candles, and put on some classic Hari Raya tunes like Sudirman Arshad’s Balik Kampung as the cherry on top.

Last but not least, it goes without saying that good design plays a huge visual part in making a comfortable home. Looking for inspiration? Check out some of the homes we’ve featured on designspeak.asia! Here are a few of our favourites:

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