The festive season is around the corner. It’s your home’s time to shine! Get it ready to welcome family, friends and festivities.
Your home works hard all year round. But the holidays are when it most likely works the hardest. Don’t let this special time turn stressful. It’s best to get a headstart and prepare your home a few weeks in advance so that these holidays there’s nothing stopping you from being the host with the most.
#1 Open Up Living Spaces
Anticipation of the holidays is a great excuse to do some rearranging or re-shuffling in your high-traffic areas. Lounges, open plan living spaces, it helps to think about flow if your home is going to be a little fuller than usual. Sometimes all it takes is the re-configuration of a few couches to breathe new life into a space.
Tips to open up a living space:
- Declutter: use this opportunity to do a clean out before Christmas.
- Move in-door plants outdoors: Even if it’s just for the holiday season. A big pot plant shifted onto the patio can create a whole lot more space just when you need it.
- Hang a mirror: If your living area is small, don’t discount the illusion of space. Mirrors reflect light and color across a room and trick the eye into thinking there is more space than there actually is.
#2 Arrange a Festive Bar
Don’t wait for familial tensions to run high before you find a space in the corner of a communal room for a stylish bar area. It’s the perfect opportunity to show off your house’s versatility this year. Baby it’s cold outside, staying in is the new going out. So gather around some snacks, put on some classic Christmas tunes and whether it’s before dinner cocktails or sneaky afternoon mocktails, get set up to serve festive drinks in gorgeous glasses.
Christmas Celebration Mocktail Recipe
Ingredients:
- 50ml non-alcoholic spirit, (non-alcoholic gin is perfect)
- 25ml lemon juice
- 25ml orange juice
- 15ml cranberry juice
- 1 tsp caster sugar
- 1 egg white
- A grating nutmeg
- Orange peel to garnish
Method:
STEP 1
Put the non-alcoholic spirit, lemon juice, orange juice, cranberry juice, sugar and egg white in a cocktail shaker with ice and shake well for 15-30 seconds.
STEP 2
Strain the cocktail into a coupe glass, grate over a little nutmeg, and garnish with some orange peel.
#3 Create Atmosphere With Lighting
Looking to use lights in your home over the holidays? Don’t think you’re limited to the Christmas tree! When it comes to creating the perfect atmosphere in your home, this is one of the most important elements to consider. Bright lights make you feel more awake, and should be used in functional spaces. Dimmer lights are more relaxing and are usually reserved for areas where you want your guests to feel calm and relaxed. In these communal areas, it’s great to layer your low-level lighting by adding multiple sources around the room.
Tips to help you create atmosphere with layered lighting:
- String fairy lights
- Light a fire
- Dot scented candles around the room
- Fit your lamps with warm-toned LED lights for a cozy glow
- Make use of cozy floor lamps
#4 Add a Touch of Comfort
Now more than ever, your home is your haven. What’s more, you want it to be a warm and inviting space for guests over the holiday season. Adding some cozy touches here or there can make a big difference to the ambience of your home. Think about the placement of your rugs, layer up your throw pillows, add a few throws or blankets for those cold, snuggly evenings in front of the fireplace.
Tips to help you add some cozy touches:
- Select soft furnishings in rich, deep colors. These bring an added warmth and depth to your home.
- Layer different textures. Pillows in plush velvets automatically increase your space’s style and comfort.
- Layer your rugs. Any rug between yourself and the bare floor will automatically bring comfort to any space, but consider the trend of layering rugs on top of rugs. It’s a great way to have fun with pattern and texture and can really draw a room in.
- Put family photos on display. There is nothing more comforting and heart-warming than beautiful memories on display during the holiday season.
#5 THINK LONG TERM WHEN MAKING A PURCHASE
With guests on the horizon it’s tempting to go into “Home Make-Over Overdrive.” Before you purchase any big ticket furniture items, think about the long term. Looking for a new dining room table? Make sure you buy one which will be a practical size long after all your house guests have left. Your home is your home. It needs to suit your family’s needs the whole year through. Even if it means squeezing two chairs onto each end of the dining room table for a few days over the festive season.
Long term items worth investing in:
A dining room table: This is not just where you’ll serve meals, it’s where friends and family will gather and memories will be made.
A bed: A good night’s sleep is worth its weight in gold. Whether it’s for your guests or yourself, a good bed is a priceless investment.
A couch: The joy of sinking into a comfortable couch is second to none. The right one will draw a whole room together.
If you get a headstart on your holiday home prep there’s no need for festive fear, only festive cheer. Your guests don’t need or expect hotel standards. A loving environment and a warm welcome will go a long way to create beautiful memories this year.
