December 2015
If there was ever a time for making the most of your home, it’s Christmas.
Many of us will be having more guests than we normally see at any other time of the year and thinking hard about how to make sure our homes look suitable for a special occasion.
And with a bit of forethought and planning, it’s easy to spruce up your home for the festive season without getting stressed out – after all, Christmas should be a time for everyone to enjoy, especially you!
Dining space is invaluable in your home at this time of year. And it really doesn’t matter if you have a separate dining room or a dedicated space in your kitchen, you can make it into something very special on the big day.
Start by making the most of what you have. Get out your dinner crockery and make sure you have enough for all of your guests.
If you don’t, don’t panic; if you can’t find extra plates and bowls to match your set, supplement it instead by buying plates and bowls in a matching colour palette and alternating them round the table – these have become known as ‘harlequin sets’ and are currently bang on trend.
There’s nothing like a new tablecloth to make your table divine at Christmas. Pure, crisp white is a classic choice that can also be used throughout the year, but this year look out for gorgeous golds and silvers to keep up the current interiors passion for metallics.
You can add to the sparkle by making a simple table centrepiece by filling a dish with beautiful baubles to match your décor. Then you’re ready for the turkey!
Before your guests arrive, you’ll probably be spending quite some time thinking about where they will sleep. Guest rooms are often seldom used, so take a good hard look at yours – is the room looking a bit sad?
That’s easy to remedy with the addition of the right accessories. Soft, snuggly woollen throws and knitted cushions will turn the bed into a welcoming haven, while a rug will add a touch of extra comfort to the floor.
Image Credit: House of Fraser
A collection of coloured glass bottles on the windowsill will reflect the winter light during the day – make sure you have good bedside lamps for night time; they’re both practical and cast a pretty and welcoming light.
Make sure your bathrooms are good enough to share by minimising clutter with the help of clever storage baskets in natural woven materials – matching towels and a few carefully chosen ornaments will help to make the rooms look smart.
And then relax… Remember, the biggest asset in your home as far as your guests are concerned is you and your family – Christmas can’t happen without a happy host!
