For many London households, Christmas is the one time of year when the whole family gathers under one roof. It is also the moment when the scuffed hallway, the tired spare room or the bookshelves that never quite fitted suddenly seem far more noticeable.
The good news is that there is still time to get your home ready for Christmas, provided you plan sensibly and choose the right projects. In this guide, we set out what can realistically be done before the festive season, what is better left until the new year, and how to keep the run-up to Christmas as calm as possible.
Why it pays to start planning now
From November onwards, diaries fill quickly. Many homeowners have the same idea at the same time, and any project needs a little breathing space at the end for finishing touches, cleaning up and putting the room back together before guests arrive.
Paint also needs time. A freshly painted wall may be dry to the touch within hours, but most paints take a couple of weeks to cure fully. Finishing decorating work well before you hang cards, garlands and decorations helps the new finish stay looking its best.
Starting the conversation early simply gives you more choice: of dates, of materials and of the finish you want.
Projects that can usually be completed before Christmas
A fresh coat of paint in the rooms guests will see
Redecorating the sitting room, dining room, hallway or staircase makes the biggest difference for the least disruption. The hallway is particularly worth considering, as it is the first thing every visitor sees.
Our residential interior painting service covers careful preparation, full protection of floors and furniture, and a clean, even finish. For ceilings and larger areas, airless spraying can produce a particularly smooth result.
A guest bedroom that is ready to welcome family
If relatives are coming to stay, the spare room is often the space that needs the most attention. New flooring and a fresh coat of paint can transform a room that has been used for storage into somewhere guests will be glad to sleep. Our wood flooring service is a popular choice for bedrooms and living areas alike.
Bespoke storage for a busier household
Extra people, presents, coats and board games all need somewhere to go. Fitted alcove units or built-in furniture add generous storage without taking up floor space. Because bespoke pieces are designed and made for your home, they need a little more planning, so it is worth discussing them as early as possible. Our guide to alcove units answers the questions homeowners ask most often.
Finishing touches that lift a whole room
Smaller carpentry jobs can make a room feel complete. Replacing worn or damaged skirting boards and architraves, or adding decorative wall panelling to a dining room or hallway, gives a sense of character that works beautifully with a festive table.
Projects better planned for the new year
Some projects deserve more time than the weeks before Christmas allow. We would usually suggest planning these now and starting them in the new year:
- Kitchen and bathroom remodelling. Losing the use of your kitchen or main bathroom just before hosting is rarely a good idea. A kitchen or bathroom project is far less stressful once the festive season is over.
- Full refurbishments. A whole-house refurbishment benefits from careful planning and a clear programme of works.
- Exterior decorating. Cold, damp winter weather is not kind to exterior paint. Exterior decorating is best scheduled for the drier months of spring and summer.
Booking a consultation before Christmas still makes sense for these projects, as it allows the design and quote to be agreed in good time for an early start in the new year.
A simple guide to timing
Every home and every project is different, and we will always confirm timings with your quote. As a rough guide, the run-up to Christmas tends to look like this:
- Now: book your free on-site consultation and agree what you would like done.
- Once you are happy with the quote: confirm your dates as early as possible, particularly for bespoke carpentry.
- The weeks before Christmas: the work is carried out, with your home protected throughout.
- A week or two before guests arrive: the room is finished, cleaned and ready for you to decorate.
Keeping disruption to a minimum
Having work done at home in a busy season can feel daunting, so it helps to know what to expect. Our team protects floors, furniture and fittings before work begins and keeps the work area tidy, so you can carry on with daily life as normally as possible. If you have questions about finishes, drying times or preparation, our painting and decorating FAQs are a useful place to start.
Spreading the cost
Christmas is an expensive time of year, and many homeowners prefer not to pay for home improvements in one go. Finance options are available, subject to status, so you can spread the cost of your project.
Would you like your home ready for Christmas?
Whether it is a single room or a few finishing touches around the house, our team would be glad to help you plan what can be achieved in time. Book your free on-site consultation or call us on 020 4638 9601, and we will give you a clear, written quote.
