‘Tis the season: get your home ready for Christmas with these 5 tips

Is it that time of year again? The weather is warming up, which can only mean one thing: Christmas is just around the corner.

The home is at the centre of any festivities, whether you’re planning a grand gathering or an intimate get-together with your nearest and dearest. So, if you’re gearing up to host loved ones this holiday season, here are five home decor ideas to help you impress and create a Christmas to remember.

1. Create entertaining zones in your living room

You may be ready to welcome one or two guests over to your home at any given time, but Christmas is a whole other story. It could be the extended family, or your wider circle of friends…and the best way to host them is to create entertaining zones with your furniture.

Don’t worry—you won’t need to kit out your space with another sofa (unless you want to!). Instead, get creative and offer up flexible seating solutions by bringing in ottomans and accent chairs that can double up as decorative pieces and a place for guests to perch.

Pro tip: Welcoming out-of-towners? Host them in style with a lounge that performs double duty. Contemporary sofa beds are a comfy and stylish addition to the home or guest room, while also serving as a much-needed place for your guests to get some shut-eye. Get inspiration from Dot+Pop’s multipurpose space.

2. Embrace outdoor entertaining this summer

With the pleasant weather hopefully around to stay, this Christmas is the perfect time to invest in outdoor furniture and put your balcony or yard to good use.

Pair an outdoor lounge, such as the Newport with a dining table, like the Amalfi for the ultimate outdoor entertaining experience - then pair it with a hot and cold menu that's elegant AND exciting. 

Start with a cold menu on the lounge: think oysters and bubbles for that quintessential Aussie Christmas. As evening approaches, move on to heartier fare and festive favourites, such as a potato bake or the ever-popular chilli garlic prawns.

Pro tip: if you’re looking to spruce up your outdoor living area, make sure to pick furniture that can withstand the elements. Read this blog post for more tips on styling an alfresco area that’s chic and durable.

3. Style your dining room

The dining room is where a big portion of the Christmas festivities happen, so it’s natural to want to make this space look good for your guests.

Now’s the perfect time to top up your dining chairs if you haven’t done so already. For the ultimate space-saver, opt for stackable options like the Orbit, Honcho or Geneve.

Once you’ve got the right foundations set up, it’s time to get decorating. Pick a colour palette, then coordinate your place setting, table runner, centrepieces and cutlery to boot. We’re big fans of cool Scandi chic or warm berry tones.

Another Christmas hack? Keep your dining table safe from spills AND create a personalised place setting with butcher’s paper and a silver pen. The best part is that your guests will feel extra-special—and cleaning up is an absolute breeze!

Our pick for Christmas? None other than the Bronte Dining Table, of course. This style staple looks stunning year-round, while also being spacious enough to host plenty of family and friends for the holiday season. 

Best of all, the Bronte’s neutral tones mean there’s plenty of opportunity to bring your own flair to the table for the holidays. Pair it with the Oscar Dining Chair in Anthracite for pure style perfection.

4. Play with this season’s trending recipes

We all love the tried-and-tested flavours of the holidays—but this year, why not branch out with something new? Create a photo-worthy spread with some of this season’s trending Christmas recipes, from a choc-mint dessert wreath to air fryer brie and cranberry bon-bons.

Short on time? You can never go wrong with a charcuterie and cheese board. Simply pop some cheese, crackers, choccies and berries onto a platter for an instant crowd-pleaser. Finally, elevate your table setting with a gorgeous floral centrepiece, candles, and some festive decorations to create a feast for the eyes and the palate.

Right: Image Credit - House Beautiful; 41 Elevated DIY Christmas Decorations That'll Save Your Bank Account

5. Why buy it, when you can make it?

We don’t know about you, but one of the best things about the holiday season has to be decorating! Rather than splurge on fancy decorations, double down on essential pieces for your home and get creative with these fantastic DIY Christmas home decor ideas.

Make mini wooden Christmas trees with a few wooden blocks, a sponge, and some paint. This is the perfect way to re-use the kids’ old playing toys, or to get the whole family involved in a seriously crafty afternoon. Pair these with a lantern display filled with baubles and other ornaments for some added festive cheer around the house.

Left: Image Credit - Sugar & Cloth; Mini Christmas Tree – DIY Wooden Christmas Tree

Right: Image Credit - Dimples & Tangles - Christmas Tour Part 2

We also love a good drinks station: turn your sideboard or console table into a makeshift bar for guests to make their own festive beverages. After all, what’s the silly season without a few drinks?

Getting your home ready for the festive season? Shop our Christmas essentials here.