by Lauren Shelby

The holidays are such a lovely time, filled with family and friends gathering, festivities and good cheer. But the holidays can also be a bit stressful, filled with commitments to attend social gatherings and host family and friends. Investing a little time now to get your home in order will save you oodles of stress as you move through the holiday season; when your home is in order it allows all of the activities to flow through easily, putting you and your guests at ease.

A few simple things can make life so much easier. Start with a good cleaning inside and out; it will give you a fresh outlook on your home and a clean slate to work with as the holiday bustle moves into full swing.

First Appearances

Whether you have a simple door or a grand entry, the front door is the first opportunity to greet your guests and make them feel welcome. Clear the cobwebs and gutters, sweep the walkway, scrub the door and polish the hardware! Now you have the opportunity to add your personal holiday flare. Wrap the door in ribbon or paper, hang a wreath or a photo of your arriving guests on the door, place some holiday plants or greenery at the entryway to liven the space and give it a fresh and festive style.

Food and Beverage Central

Always the hub of activity, the kitchen really gets cooking at this time of the year. Get organized and clear the clutter. You’re going to need every inch of space for prep and entertaining. Clear out all items you don’t need and are not going to use: bills, schoolbooks, etc. Get a recycling center put together if you don’t have one already, so it’s easy for your guests to participate in cleanup — and, in turn, cleanup is easier on you.

If any of your appliances have been acting up or if the garbage disposal has been fussy, this is a good time for repairs, rather than the day you’re hosting an event or as you’re trying to get out the door to a great party. Get creative with your holiday decorating; dress the cabinets as gifts, string garland around the ceiling, choose an unexpected color such as turquoise, purple or pink and go monochromatic to make a big statement.

The Lounge

Entertaining can be challenging when the house is full of furniture, so you may want to make some adjustments to allow for an easier flow through the space and to create the best seating arrangements for conversation. Consider moving some small pieces out that may impede flow or trip people up unexpectedly. Sometimes just a few inches can make a big difference when the space is full of partygoers. On the other hand, you may need to add a bit of seating so that everyone will be comfortable. Take a look at the space and think about how it went the last time you entertained and how you would like things to flow this time!

Decorate

Make way for holiday decorations by doing a house-wide decluttering. Those special holiday objects will shine more brightly if they’re not buried in everyday objects; give your holiday décor room to breathe. Living floral arrangements and plants are a great way to add fresh holiday flare and set the tone for a festive season.

Whether your entertaining is formal or informal, being prepared is the key to your having the most enjoyment of the holiday season. If all of this seems a bit daunting, call on some professionals to give you a hand. Give yourself the gift of a good housekeeper, even if it’s a one-time shot to get the place in order. Utilize the services of a designer or an organizer to help with the de-cluttering and furniture placement. If you’re feeling unsure about decorations and want just the right thing for your event, call upon a designer or a stager to give you a hand.

There are lots of professionals available who are happy to help. A few hours invested in professional services can save you days of frustration and uncertainty. This is your holiday; make it fun for you and all those you are with will have a good time, too!

Lauren Shelby is the owner of Spaces Within, which has been working collaboratively with clients since 1997 to discover and understand their beauty within, and transform their spaces into true works of art. Spaces Within offers an end-to-end suite of interior design services that include vision discovery, concept development, remodeling execution, construction and vendor management, and custom furniture design. Visit spaceswithin.com and contact Shelby at 650-712-4491.