Now, I know some of you are probably saying, “It’s far too early to start thinking about Christmas!” But when you think about it, Christmas is only 13 weeks away. Why wait until the last minute, only to be disappointed?
When it comes to getting your home ready for Christmas, starting early can make all the difference. Whether you're thinking about replacing your sofa, buying a new dining table, preparing the spare bedroom or simply creating more space for family and friends, leaving everything until December can mean less choice, added pressure and potentially missing out on getting what you want in time, due to supplier cut off dates or early store closures. Over the next couple of weeks, I will be posting ideas to help you achieve the best outcome to a Christmas you will always remember and cherish!
Christmas is one of the most enjoyable times of the year at home. It is a season for family gatherings, festive meals, cosy evenings on the sofa and welcoming friends and relatives through the door.
However, Christmas can also highlight all those little things around the home that you have been meaning to sort out. Suddenly, the dining table feels a little too small, the sofa has seen better days, the spare bedroom needs attention and you are wondering where everyone – and everything – is going to fit.
The good news is that getting your home ready for Christmas doesn't have to mean completely redecorating. A few clever changes, some organisation and the right furniture can help you create a comfortable, welcoming home that is ready for everything the festive season brings.
Here is our complete guide to preparing your home for Christmas.
1. Start with a Pre-Christmas Declutter
Before putting up the Christmas tree or bringing the decorations down from the loft, start with a good declutter.
Christmas decorations, presents, extra food and visiting guests all require space, so clearing unnecessary items beforehand can make a surprisingly big difference.
Work through the rooms you will use most over Christmas, particularly:
- The living room
- Dining room or dining area
- Hallway
- Kitchen
- Guest bedroom
- Children's bedrooms
You don't necessarily need to throw things away. Look for furniture that provides additional storage, such as ottoman beds, drawers, cabinets and sideboards.
An ottoman bed, for example, provides a large storage area beneath the mattress and can be ideal for storing spare bedding, clothes, suitcases and other items you don't need every day.
By getting organised early, you'll have more room for decorations, presents and, most importantly, your Christmas guests.
2. Get the Living Room Christmas-Ready
For many households, the living room becomes the centre of Christmas.
It's where presents are opened, Christmas films are watched, drinks are shared and everyone eventually ends up relaxing after Christmas dinner.
Before decorating, think about your furniture layout.
Could moving your sofa slightly create a better position for the Christmas tree? Would an occasional chair provide useful extra seating? Could a coffee table or side table make entertaining easier?
Try to create a layout that encourages conversation while leaving enough room for people to move comfortably around the room.
Is Your Sofa Ready for Christmas?
Christmas often means your sofa gets considerably more use than usual.
If your existing sofa is uncomfortable, damaged or simply doesn't provide enough seating anymore, replacing it before Christmas can transform your living room.
Consider how your household actually uses the room.
A larger sofa may work well for families, while a corner sofa can provide plenty of seating without needing several individual pieces of furniture.
Reclining sofas and chairs can also create the perfect place to relax during those quieter Christmas evenings.
3. Create a Cosy Christmas Atmosphere
You don't need to replace all your furniture to make your home feel different at Christmas.
Small seasonal changes can completely transform a room.
Try introducing:
- Warm throws
- Cushions
- Rugs
- Soft lighting
- Table lamps
- Festive candles
- Christmas decorations
- Seasonal colours and textures
Layering different fabrics can make sofas, chairs and beds feel particularly inviting during the colder months.
Traditional reds, greens and golds remain popular at Christmas, but you don't have to follow a traditional colour scheme. Neutral interiors can look fantastic with natural greenery, warm lighting and subtle metallic accessories.
The aim is to create somewhere that feels warm, comfortable and welcoming.
4. Prepare Your Dining Area for Christmas Dinner
Christmas dinner is one of the biggest events of the festive season – and suddenly that dining table you use every day needs to accommodate considerably more people.
Before Christmas arrives, work out exactly how many people you are likely to seat.
Check whether everyone can sit comfortably around your existing table without blocking doors or making it difficult to move around the room.
If space is limited, an extendable dining table can be an excellent solution.
It can remain compact throughout the year and then provide additional dining space when family and friends visit.
Don't Forget the Chairs
It's surprisingly common to have enough table space but not enough chairs.
Check your seating well before Christmas Day.
Additional dining chairs, benches or carefully positioned occasional chairs can provide extra seating when required.
5. Think About Where Christmas Guests Will Sleep
If friends or relatives are staying over during Christmas, decide where everyone will sleep before they arrive.
If you have a spare bedroom, check:
- The mattress
- Bed frame
- Bedding
- Pillows
- Storage
- Lighting
- Bedside furniture
You want guests to feel comfortable rather than as though they have simply been squeezed into whatever space was available.
Fresh bedding, comfortable pillows and somewhere to put clothes can make a huge difference.
Check the Guest Mattress
That mattress in the spare bedroom might only be used occasionally, but mattresses still deteriorate with age.
If it is sagging, uncomfortable or several years old, consider whether it needs replacing before your guests arrive.
After all, nobody wants their Christmas guests waking up with an aching back.
6. No Spare Bedroom? Consider a Sofa Bed
Not every home has the luxury of a dedicated guest bedroom.
That's where a sofa bed can be extremely useful.
Modern sofa beds allow a living room, office or spare room to become an occasional sleeping area without permanently sacrificing valuable floor space.
During the day, you have comfortable seating. When guests stay overnight, it becomes a bed.
This can be particularly useful for smaller homes where every room needs to serve more than one purpose.
Related guide: Sofa Beds for Small Spaces or How to Match a Sofa Bed to your Interior Style on Budget
7. Make Your Bedroom a Calm Christmas Retreat
Christmas can be busy.
Between shopping, visiting family, preparing meals and entertaining guests, having somewhere peaceful to retreat to at the end of the day becomes even more important.
Your bedroom should provide exactly that.
Before Christmas, consider giving it a simple refresh.
Clear unnecessary clutter, change the bedding and make sure your mattress and pillows are still providing the comfort and support you need.
If you've been putting off replacing an uncomfortable mattress, doing so before the Christmas period could help you get the rest you need during one of the busiest times of the year.
8. Create More Storage Before the Presents Arrive
One thing Christmas inevitably creates is more stuff.
Presents, toys, clothes, decorations and packaging all need somewhere to go.
Furniture with integrated storage can help keep the house organised.
Consider:
- Ottoman beds
- Divan beds with drawers
- Bedside cabinets
- Chests of drawers
- Wardrobes
- Sideboards
- Display cabinets
Bedrooms are particularly useful places to create additional storage because the space beneath a bed is often wasted.
Choosing a divan bed with drawers or an ottoman storage bed can turn that unused area into valuable storage.
9. Prepare for Extra Christmas Seating
Think about how many people are likely to visit your home at the busiest point over Christmas.
Do you actually have enough seats?
You don't necessarily need a huge sofa just for occasional visitors.
Armchairs, dining chairs, occasional chairs and other flexible seating can be moved around the home when needed.
A little planning prevents the inevitable Christmas situation where somebody ends up sitting on a dining chair in the corner while everyone else takes over the sofa.
10. Don't Leave New Furniture Until the Last Minute
If you are planning to buy a new sofa, bed, mattress, dining set or bedroom furniture before Christmas, it's worth shopping early.
Christmas is a busy period for both retailers and delivery companies, and some furniture can have longer lead times than others.
Shopping earlier gives you more choice and allows time to make sure your furniture is delivered and positioned before guests arrive.
It also means you can concentrate on enjoying Christmas rather than waiting for furniture deliveries at the last minute.
11. Measure Before Buying
Christmas enthusiasm can sometimes lead to impulse purchases, but furniture still needs to fit once you get it home.
Before buying, measure:
- The available floor space
- Doorways
- Hallways
- Staircases
- Ceiling heights where relevant
- The route from your front door to the room
It's particularly important with larger items such as sofas, wardrobes and bed frames.
Also think about how the room will look once the furniture is in position. Something can technically fit while still making the room feel cramped.
12. Prepare Your Home for Boxing Day Relaxation
Getting your home Christmas-ready isn't only about Christmas Day.
There is also Boxing Day and those wonderfully quiet days between Christmas and New Year when many of us simply want to relax.
A comfortable sofa, supportive recliner, cosy bedroom and organised home can make those days even more enjoyable.
Once the visitors have gone, the dishes are finished and the leftovers are safely in the fridge, there are few things better than putting your feet up and enjoying your home.
Start Preparing Your Home for Christmas Early
The secret to a relaxing Christmas at home is preparation.
Start early, work through one room at a time and think about how your home will actually be used during the festive period.
Declutter unnecessary items, check your seating, prepare your dining area and make sure overnight guests have somewhere comfortable to sleep.
Most importantly, create a home where people can relax and enjoy spending time together.
Whether you're looking for a new sofa, dining set, bed, mattress, bedroom furniture or additional storage, making a few thoughtful changes before Christmas can help ensure your home is ready for family, friends and all the festivities.
At Paul Antony Beds & Bedrooms, we offer a wide selection of furniture to help you prepare your home for Christmas and beyond. Visit us in store or browse our ranges online to find furniture for your living room, dining room and bedroom.
Continue Your Christmas Home Preparation
For more ideas, keep an eye out for our Christmas home guides to follow:
- How to Get Your Living Room Ready for Christmas
- How to Get Your Dining Room Ready for Christmas Dinner
- How to Prepare Your Guest Bedroom for Christmas Visitors
- Sofa Beds: The Perfect Solution for Christmas Guests
- Christmas Storage Ideas for a Clutter-Free Home
- Small Home, Big Christmas: Space-Saving Furniture Ideas
- How to Create More Seating for Christmas Guests
- Buying New Furniture Before Christmas: What You Need to Consider
