STYLE UPDATE Simple tweaks and tricks to update your interior
Have fun with these simple but creative ideas that’ll ring the changes in your home without turning into a full redo
1 Add a hint of pink to your scheme
While metallic shades of silver and gold will create the setting for a glamorous Christmas table, adding touches of pink will soften the look slightly and bring in some warmth, too. Choose pretty pink table linens and add a pink decoration to each place setting.
2 Pop presents in a basket
Keep your wrapped gifts out of the way of pesky pets and free up floor space by storing them in baskets ahead of the big day. Why not label each basket with a recipient’s name? Then everyone can add their gifts to the pile.
3 CO-ORDINATE YOUR WRAPPING PAPER
To ensure total cohesion under the tree, choose giftwrap in matching colours and patterns, finished with luxe velvet and satin ribbons.
4 Swap in festive cushions
Have a little fun with accessories and switch out your plain cushions for festive ones instead. If you’d rather keep the living room a tad more sophisticated, pop the playful stuff in the kids’ rooms.
5 HANG PAPER SNOWFLAKES
Forgo shop-bought decs and make your own instead by cutting snowflakes out of paper. Use plain white or silver paper for a simple, elegant scheme, or use colourful, patterned wrapping paper for a more fun and frivolous look.
6 Go dark and decadent
Be brave and swap your traditional tree for something a little moodier, like this black pre-lit one, which provides the ideal base for golden decorations to twinkle and shine from. Top it off with a golden star tree topper.
7If GO ALTERNATIVE WITH YOUR TREE
you haven’t the space for a bulky tree, go for a wallhung one and decorate with just your favourite baubles. You could even pin up party invites.
8 Serve up snacks in style
A festive platter will delight guests and is ideal for placing in the middle of the table so everyone can help themselves. Find a selection of Christmas-themed options at Matalan.
9 Makeover your walls
Give your living room a bit of a facelift ready for Christmas with a lick of paint to create a simple feature wall. Draw a line from the bottom corner to the opposite top corner of a wall and paint each side a different colour.
10 CREATE A PRETTY TABLETOP DISPLAY
Fill glass jars and vases with a selection of shimmery baubles in matching shades. Pop a string of batterypowered fairy lights inside, too, for extra sparkle.
11 Dress the tree with oversized decs
Go for a simple, yet stunning, theme on your Christmas tree by keeping the baubles to a minimum (if at all) and instead choose oversized star silhouette lights. Make sure the lights are the same shade as your normal tree lights for a cohesive look.
12 UPDATE YOUR TABLEWARE
A smart, new dinnerware set featuring simple block shapes will create a cool and contemporary setting and can be used all year round.
13 Put out a welcoming festive doormat
Encourage the family to wipe their muddy feet after a post-lunch walk by laying a themed mat by the door.
14 Display wreaths indoors
Bring wreaths in from the cold with a duo of decorative wreaths hung on the wall. Try a sparkly gold pair above a sideboard or mantel, or display a festive trio above the bed. You could even have a go at making your own.
15 HANG BAUBLES ABOVE THE BED
Make a festive mobile to hang on the wall above the bed. Take a piece of dowelling or a fallen tree branch, then hang up a selection of baubles at differing heights along it. Secure the mobile to the wall using hooks or Command strips.