The holidays are right around the corner brining with it the crazy rush of family dinners, guest and gift giving. Before the hustle and hurry sets in, take time now to make some practical and fun updates to your home. Your home should look amazing, of course, but also think about how you can make your guests feel special and welcomed from the moment they walk through the entryway.
Here are a few ways to prepare your home for the holidays:
Declutter
Every new and improved design scheme starts with getting rid of the things that clutter the room. House Logic recommended going through the guest room, living room, den, dining room and the kitchen to remove anything that is taking up space and causing distraction. You’ll feel better knowing your guests don’t have to look at those loose papers that were stacked on the countertops for months.
Focus on the main spaces
It may feel like you need to decorate and clean every inch of your home. And while it is time to retire some of your summer decor and add in some holiday accents, it’s best to truly focus on the spaces that count the most; the living room, kitchen and dining room. Focus on giving these rooms a good clean for the new season then add your carefully curated accessories around the fireplace and dining room table for a warm and inviting feel.
Find ways to make more space
If you plan on hosting for a lot of people, you need to ease traffic flow throughout your home.
Now is an ideal time to rethink your current furniture arrangement – is it in the best possible structure for your guests? Perhaps you can benefit from moving that trunk that sits next to the couch to the foyer for the night.
One of the most important things to consider when hosting guests over the holidays is traffic flow. Your guests should not be tripping over furniture, or each other, to pass through the room. Make sure there is a clear path so people can walk from one end of the room to the other without difficulty.
Add a fun entertaining element
Want to “wow” your guests this year? A new and exciting element for entertaining, such as a bar and beverage area, can take your living space to the next level, according to designer Jodi Morton.
“I always include vintage glassware from local antique shops when styling a bar,” Morton told Forbes contributor Dering Hall. “I love their patina and mixing shapes and colors. Vintage pitchers also work beautifully as vases and I prefer leaves and greenery to flowers. Of course, you can never have too many bottles of spirits and liquor, which are beautiful in their own right.”
Take it a step further and stock up your bar with delicious ingredients to craft your own signature holiday cocktail this year.
A couple of carefully thought out changes can really make a big difference. Don’t let your living space go unfinished this holiday season. Contact Saree Parry Design today for a free consultation. We will evaluate your space and provide tips and insight based on your style, ideas and the time crunch.
Call today to get your home in tip top shape for the holidays
Saree Parry is an award-winning Decorating Den designer in the Greater Ottawa region.
