It has been a tough year for many of us in the wake of a global pandemic. Whether it be financial stresses, the impact of self isolation or feeling cut off from the rest of the world, we’ve all felt the strain in some way or another. As the year draws to a close however, so too does the promise of the festive season and time spent with family and friends.
No matter if you’re hosting Christmas this year, have scheduled a BBQ with those friends you haven’t seen all year, or are just looking forward to some quiet time with the ones you love – here are our top tips to make your home ready for entertaining this festive season.
Make your outdoor area the focal point
Regardless of whether you’ve got a patio, decking or a balcony space for two, the outdoor space in your home can be utilised as a space for entertainment as long as it has two key elements: shade and seating. A selection of chairs or a nice outdoor sofa is a no brainer, but as we know all too well, the summer sun in Sydney can be overbearing, so making sure your guests have the option to seek refuge in the shade is super important. Investing in some great tall plants can offer a great solution to temporary shade, or if you’re keen to take a leaf out of our Marrickville properties’ book and install a sleek awning.
Lets go green
Reckon you’ve got the atmosphere sorted with a bit of music and chatter? There’s more work to be done! Ask any interior designer and the trend of the year, maybe even the decade, is in creating impressive green spaces in and around your home. We all tried to nurse pot-plants during lockdown, and whether you succeeded or not, guests love nothing more than entering a home and seeing green space. Maximise your outdoor area by including a series of plants, or if you’re short on space – why not opt for a vertical garden? You might be in the middle of the city, but it’ll feel like you’re in a tranquil oasis away from the hustle and bustle of the year.
Impress them with your outdoor kitchen
If you and your guests are going to sit outside, why not prepare the meal outside too? We’re not talking about ‘throwing another shrimp on the barbie’ either, the options with outdoor kitchens are endless these days. We recently completed a project in Ashbury where our client wanted to make their outdoor kitchen a real standout feature of the property. Complete with the all important barbeque, extraction, sink space, ample storage and a wine fridge.
Let there be light
Tackling each of the five senses is a really important aspect of creating the right ambiance in your home. Start with a clean and tidy home (of course), then layer with candles, fresh flowers, music at the perfect volume and different textures – and most importantly – warm lighting. While we’re lucky in New South Wales to be gifted with daylight savings, installing dimmers to your home is a really simple way to create a relaxed ambience and help your guests feel instantly at home. We loved installing these different lighting options at our Croydon project.
Set an inviting table
It doesn’t have to be elaborate, over the top display, but a table setting with personality shows your guests they are valued, and they have been invited to a really special occasion in your home. Opt for the full set of silverware, or perhaps use your favourite china set, and never forget a flourish of florals. Handwritten place cards are also a great conversation-starter and a nice takeaway for your guests!
