GET THOSE ROOMS READY FOR REVELRY
Simple changes to high-traffic areas will show off home, accommodate holiday guests
It’s beginning to look a lot like the time people start thinking about hosting friends and family in their homes for the holidays — and perhaps wanting to get a new kitchen installed beforehand.
Guess what? That’s not going to happen. Renovations require a lot of time, but undertake these five projects now and you’ll have a space fit for entertaining faster than Santa can slide down a chimney:
1. Spruce up the kitchen: No matter where you try to put them, guests always end up in the kitchen — so consider updating it. Paint and hardware date a kitchen, so repainting cabinets and changing hardware will achieve a fresher, modern look. Changing countertops will have an impact on the whole room and there are a variety of surfaces to choose from: granite, marble and laminate, but natural stone surfaces offer durability. This may also be a good time to replace ancient appliances, so you can pull off a roast beast and side dishes, no problem.
2. Boost the bathroom: Guests are also bound to visit this room. Paint or wallpaper can subtly or dramatically change the look of the space, while a new faucet in clean and sleek lines can freshen a tired-looking sink and vanity. Towels can inject a new colour or lend texture with pattern into the room. To really up your game, consider a self-cleaning toilet. American Standard has come out with the ActiClean toilet that includes a one-minute or nine-minute clean at the press of a button. You may never fret again when unexpected guests drop by.
3. New furniture: If you want to change your sofa or incorporate some new occasional chairs into your entertainment space, make those purchases now so your furniture can be delivered by holiday time. Think twice at this stage about ordering a customcreated piece of furniture — it can take as long as 10 weeks to arrive. Another option is buying sample furnishings from showrooms, although this means you’ll have to take them the way they look. If the furniture you’ll be retiring is in good shape, consider donating it to Furniture Bank (furniturebank.org).
4. Create a focal wall: The dining room warrants a little more attention, since it is really used during the holidays. Use paint or wallpaper to create a focal wall. Then place something you want to highlight on or near this wall — a fantastic artwork or a sideboard. The idea of a feature wall is to draw focus to something beyond just the wall, so have a compelling reason for the feature. When it’s well done, it can leave your guests thinking you have completely renovated the room since the last time they came to your place.
5. Be prepared. With lots of people coming and going, there are bound to be some messes along the way. Guests can feel terrible when they accidentally spill or break things in your home, or when slush and debris on the soles of their boots end up on your floors. Have items such as a wet mop, scrub brushes, paper towels, stain remover, a broom and dust pan, and even a hand-held vacuum cleaner at the ready so you can jump on those little messes quickly, prevent other accidents, and keep the party going.