#1 Total Clear Out – Clear as much out as possible have a complete de-clutter it will make you feel good a good clear out is good for the soul! Anything that is sentimental leave where it is or organise as best you can. Christmas is not a good time to go through such items with the thought of clearing. Create a list – see below. Go through the kitchen cupboards free up space for all the Christmas food and those bottles of prosecco and gin! If you have children get them clearing out all their old clothes and toys. Overseeing this is probably a good idea as most children want to keep everything even the broken toys! Below is my top list to help you get through the process. You will honestly feel so much better for it and much happier to start thinking about your guests arriving! For guest rooms make sure you leave a selection of hand, bath towels. Little soaps or anything that is a small gesture this will make your guests feel extra special.
#2 Guest Room Ready – If you have enough time to paint, I would keep guest bedrooms neutral with warm, rich accents. Once you have cleared everything you will have a feeling of open space. Perfect for Christmas guests who will instantly feel relaxed in a de-cluttered, soft, inviting bedroom. An example of a soft palette below then teamed with one or two rich accent colours. If you have a small room and want to inject some character to it. Try a richer, dark colour – it is a myth that dark colours will make a room appear smaller. We have been told that the lighter the colour the larger the room will look. Add contrast with crisp white bed linen, build layers up using throws, cushions in different textiles. You can create a unique, fun room for your guests and a great place to get away if Dear husband is snoring! Once the guests have left, of course!
Rich Colour Accents – try teaming with neutrals!
#3 Christmas Decorating – Christmas lights are forever changing, and new lights appear on the market each year. Christmas decorations/accessories are big business and statistics confirm this with a total spend of 816 million in the UK alone. Give thought to your Christmas lights whether you want warm white, cool white, large bulbs, icicle lights, candle lights. I would keep them the same where possible so if you go for warm white, keep them all warm white. Another effective form of lighting is window curtain Christmas lights. Try hanging them from the top of a banister where you have a clear drop or as a backdrop behind a low cabinet from ceiling to the top of a cabinet then decorate the cabinet – keeping it simple is the most effective.



#4 Decorating Mantels/Entrance – Try using various accessories at different heights and keep the ends symmetrical. Large candles, Again, keep it simple it looks good whether super modern or traditional. Large pieces look great at either end and help balance the mantel out. If you have a set of coat pegs, a mirror in your hallway/entrance then hang drape a garland or light over these. If you don’t have these then try using origami decorations from the ceiling at varying heights to give an impact as soon as you walk in. Radiator covers can be useful too, try accessorizing these or place a long garland along the top. A couple of candlestick holders with pillar candles at both ends again, use various heights with your accessories.





#5 Dining Area – Base your colour scheme around the finishes in your dining or kitchen/diner/open plan space. If you have a neutral background add bright colours or layer using monochromatic tones. Try complementary colours these will work beautifully together. For example – oranges, yellows, mustard, rustic red, rustic orange with deep blues. Colours that are adjacent to each other e.g. pink – violet, deep purples, blues.
I will always look at the finishes in a room and base the standard gold, silver, rose gold, and, copper decorations around these. Using silver decorations where there are chrome finishes. Gold rose gold or copper where there are brass or copper finishes. Flowers are a simple yet effective way to add beauty to your table. There are some wonderful shaped cutlery sets that would give a lift to any table. If you don’t wish to spend too much then there are plenty of places you can pick up coloured glassware, budget-friendly vases, pillar candles, coloured ribbon. You can make your own place cards or if you are short on time (cough, cough!) who isn’t at this time of year! There are some great priced place cards and if you hit the shops or online now you should be sure to pick up some real bargains. Try filling a clear vase with spare baubles to the top. Mix and match them there are lots of fun ways to decorate your table without it costing a bomb and you can be creative. We do lose that with modern life and getting the time to write Christmas cards can be enough! A few glasses of vino will be well deserved before, after, and during Christmas! You’ve worked hard!!!…….
By Sophie Louisa Interiors, Exeter, Devon