How to Make Your Home Holiday Party Ready

PHOTO CREDIT: sugar and cloth

For groups small or large, coming from near or far, a great holiday party starts with a fun atmosphere, delicious food, and great conversation. Party planning can be really stressful, but getting your home staged and ready in advance will make everything go much more smoothly if you are hosting this year. Cleaning the house is essential, but there are a few additional tips we’d recommend to make sure everything is in order before your guests arrive. Once these preparations are complete, you'll be fully equipped to throw an unforgettable holiday party!

Make Room for Coats/Shoes

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Before you start rearranging the furniture and pulling out the decor, it’s important to tidy a few areas in particular. As it’s chilly outside, everyone will be wearing coats that they will need to hang up when they arrive. Kickstart your cleaning by organizing the coat closet, and clearing your shoe rack, if you have one. This will make it easy for guests to know where to put their belongings when they arrive, helping you avoid unnecessary clutter.

Create a Flow

To make your guests feel instantly at ease in a new space, take a few minutes to consider the flow of traffic from the entryway to the party rooms. Is there any furniture that will be in the way when a room is filled? Consider the key areas that guests will spend time in, including the kitchen, dining room, living room, and bathroom. Make it easy for them to get from one room to the next and move any furniture out of the way that hinders the flow of traffic. For example, you might consider moving your coffee table to a bedroom to open up the living room, creating more standing room.

Add Additional Seating

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Seating is one of the most important elements to get right at a party. Although standing is common, it's important to accommodate those who prefer to sit, particularly if you have elderly guests. We like to arrange seating in groups of three or four chairs, creating comfortable spaces for people to relax, engage in conversation, and enjoy each other's company. Store a few additional stools somewhere nearby in case you need to pull out extra seating at the last minute.

Soften Your Lighting

As one of the top Chicago interior design firms, we know lighting. It can make or break a space, and while recessed lighting has its purpose, no one likes a harsh glare overhead at a party. Instead, add dimmers to your lights or consider only using ambient light sources, like table lamps, chandeliers, pendant lights, and sconces. You can create an additional glow with a fireplace, candles, portable lanterns, and twinkle lights. Even the Christmas tree can be used as a source of atmospheric lighting for a Christmas party!

Put Up Holiday Decor

Finally, add the finishing touches to your holiday decor. Get creative! Drape garlands over the mantel and along the bannister as well as on top of mirrors and doorways. Put a Christmas tree in every room that guests will spend time in. Fill bowls with pinecones and ornaments and create centerpieces using holly branches. Add wreaths to your doors and twinkle lights to the porch. Tie everything in a bow! Finally, curate a few holiday playlists that will set the mood when your guests arrive. 

Our Chicago interior designers wish you a season filled with joy!