For many of us, Christmas is the one time of year when the whole family comes to stay. Spare rooms are made up, the dining table is extended and the living room suddenly has to seat twice as many people. It is also the moment when the scuffed hallway, the overflowing cupboards and the tired bathroom seem to stand out most.
If you would like to prepare your home for Christmas guests this year, the good news is that a few well-chosen improvements can make a remarkable difference. In this guide, we walk through the house room by room, with practical ideas for what is worth doing and how to plan it so the work is finished, and the dust sheets gone, well before your first visitor arrives.
Start with the spaces your guests see first
The hallway and staircase
The hallway sets the tone for the whole house, yet it is usually the hardest-working space in any London home. Walls are knocked by bags and buggies, and skirting boards take a battering from shoes and the hoover. A fresh coat of hard-wearing paint, together with neatly repaired or replaced skirting boards and architraves, will make the entrance feel cared for the moment the door opens.
The living room
This is where everyone gathers, so it is the room most people choose to have redecorated before Christmas. A calm, considered colour scheme, crisp ceilings and properly prepared woodwork will give the room a lift that lasts well beyond the festive season. Our interior painting and decorating service covers everything from a single feature wall to the whole room.
For something a little more special, decorative wall panelling adds character and depth, and works beautifully in period properties and modern flats alike.
Make room for everyone: storage that works
More people in the house means more coats, more luggage and more presents to hide. The alcoves either side of a chimney breast are often wasted space, and a set of bespoke alcove units, with cupboards below and shelving above, can turn them into some of the most useful storage in the home.
If a spare room will be used by guests, built-in wardrobes made to measure for the space give visitors somewhere to unpack, and keep the room tidy for the rest of the year. If you are curious about what is involved, our article on how a fitted wardrobe is built in an alcove explains the process.
The guest bathroom
Few things make guests feel more welcome than a clean, comfortable bathroom. Depending on its condition, that might mean a simple refresh, such as redecorating with a moisture-resistant paint and replacing worn sealant, or a complete bathroom renovation with new tiling, sanitaryware and fittings.
A full renovation naturally takes longer than a redecoration, so if the bathroom is high on your list, it is the room to plan first.
Floors that can cope with a full house
Hallways, living rooms and dining areas take a great deal of foot traffic over Christmas. If your floors are worn, scratched or simply dated, new wood flooring can transform the feel of a room and stand up well to a busy household.
What can realistically be finished before Christmas?
Timing is everything at this time of year. As a general rule, redecorating a room is the quickest project to complete, while bespoke joinery and bathroom renovations need more time for design, materials and fitting. Our guide to getting your home ready for Christmas sets out what can realistically be done in time, so you can prioritise the rooms that matter most to you.
Whatever you have in mind, the earlier you book, the more choice of dates you will have.
Living in your home while the work is done
Most of our clients stay at home while we work, often in the busy weeks before Christmas. That is why we take as much care protecting your home as we do on the work itself. Floors are covered, furniture is moved and wrapped, and fixed features such as fireplaces are sealed before we begin. You can read more in our guide on how we protect your home during decorating.
Spreading the cost
Christmas is an expensive time of year, and we understand that you may prefer not to pay for home improvements all at once. We offer 0% interest finance over up to 24 months, so you can enjoy the results now and spread the cost. Finance options are available, subject to status.
Your checklist for welcoming Christmas guests
- Decide which rooms your guests will use most, and start there
- Refresh the hallway and living room with fresh paintwork
- Create extra storage for coats, luggage and presents
- Plan any bathroom work first, as it takes the longest
- Book early to secure the dates that suit you
Book your free on-site consultation
If you would like to prepare your home for Christmas guests, we would be delighted to help. We will visit, listen to what you have in mind and give you a clear, written quote, with no obligation. Book your free on-site consultation or call us on 020 4638 9601.
