Top tips for getting your home ready for Christmas
We all know this year has been different - and difficult. And there’s no doubt that this Christmas will be different too. There may be no parties and no big family gatherings but that doesn’t mean we can’t make the most of the festive season.
We’ve spent so much time in our homes this year and it looks like we won’t be going far any time soon. It’s likely that it’s become a bit more cluttered. It’s also likely that you’ve become a bit bored of it! So, how can you get you and your home ready (quickly!) for Santa’s visit?
1) Get rid of the clutter
Clutter. It’s easy to build up, regardless of how tidy we keep our homes. And Christmas decorations (and presents) are just going to take up more space.
But there are a couple of quick fixes for the short term. Are you able to store everyday trinkets and ornaments away for the festive season? Is there anything you can get rid of or donate? And clearing out and tidying your kitchen cupboards can create all the space you need to be able to tidy all the clutter on top of your worktops away.
Decluttering doesn’t need to be a slog and small steps such as these can make your whole home look much neater, and create more living space at the same time.
2) Create more space
You might not be able to welcome as many family and friends into your home this Christmas but even the smallest of family gatherings can make your house feel feel overcrowded. So, why not have a play around with your furniture to create some additional space.
Push the biggest things in the room (e.g. sofas) to the walls if possible. Tuck side tables and nest tables under each other and out of the way. If you've got any clever storage solutions, use them! Put small pieces of furniture such as children’s play furniture and chairs into under stairs cupboards.
And now would be a great time to clear some space in that shed as well!
As for your dining table, put it into the middle of your room and remove any unnecessary chairs and cabinets from the room. It’s probably going to be the focal point of your day so make it the focal point of the room and move everything else around it.
3) Decorate mindfully
We all love Christmas trees, wreaths and ornaments but while they may make your home look suitably festive, they also create lots of clutter themselves and reduce your living space. So, where you can, keep decorations to your walls - or even outside! Fairy lights and tinsel (is it still in fashion?) around mirrors, paintings, bannisters and doorframes, as well as on your front door canopies can help to keep rooms free of chaos while still creating a festive feel.
4) Put on your rubber gloves…
Hopefully you’ve got a day or two off before the Christmas festivities really kick off - why not use some of that time to freshen up a few of your main rooms (and perhaps the bathrooms if there’s time…)
Don’t go mad. In your lounge, hoover your sofas and spray some Febreze, wash your cushion covers and get the feather duster into all the nooks and crannies. In your kitchen, clean out your microwave, sink and oven (if you can bear it). In your dining room, wipe down your dining chairs and mop the floor.
And if you’re looking for a bigger job, turn your attention to your windows (inside and outside) and your front door. You don’t need to clean absolutely everything to make a difference but paying a bit of extra attention to those easy to miss spots can make your home healthier and more enjoyable for your family.
5) Look forward to 2021
Let’s face it. We’re all ready to see the back of this year! So why not use the inevitable downtime this Christmas to start planning for next year. Maybe you don’t need lots of family around to realise that you already need more space in your home and you’ve been beginning to feel more and more cramped as the months have gone on.
Are you looking for a simple, but not quite so quick fix? With a single storey home extension under permitted development, you could achieve so much space. Your plans could be ready within a couple of months and our design packages start at just £799 (check out our fee calculator to see how much your project will cost). That would give you everything you need to get a price from builders.
Get started now and you could be celebrating Christmas 2021 with a whole lot more space - and hopefully more guests!
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If you really do want to take it one step further and start planning for an extension or conversion, there’s no time like the present! To find out the best way to maximise space in your home for next year, book in your free, no obligation design consultation with our team here.
And in the meantime, we hope you and your family manage to enjoy some festivities this Christmas season.
Happy holidays! 🎅