Home for the Holidays: 8 Ways to Spruce Up Decorations Before the Guests Arrive

December 10, 2009

Holiday season is fast approaching, and so are the guests. Whether you're opening your home for an office party or hosting a horde of in-laws, you want the place to shine. Here are eight tips to get your home in shape for the holidays.

• De-clutter. Step one is to walk through your house with a cold, calculating eye. Clutter on counters, shelves, and even floors can lead to a lousy first impression. If you can live without it--store it.
• Steam it. How long has it been since you've had your carpets and curtains professionally steam cleaned? If your carpets are crying out for some TLC, this is an easy, relatively inexpensive way to brighten your entertaining areas. Once cleaned, protect your carpets with area rugs or carpet runners in entryways and high-traffic areas.
• Go deep. Is the shine off your kitchen? Dingy grout between the kitchen tiles is a common culprit. The Web site Repair Home suggests cleaning white (not colored!) grout with a spray solution of equal parts hydrogen peroxide and water. If that fails, go for a commercially available grout cleaner. After your deep cleaning is done, low-profile carpet runners can protect cooking areas from undue wear and tear.
• Order oil and vinegar. Stainless steel surfaces can be revived with an application usually reserved for salads. Choose either white vinegar or olive oil. Apply with a soft cloth, or spray and wipe the dullness away.
• Polish and protect. From cocktail tables to dining room floors, the hardwood surfaces in your house are going to get a workout this season. Add a layer of protection against spills and stains before the party starts. Your furniture can benefit from proper waxing, and the same goes for your floors, as long as the finish is wax friendly.
• Take a powder. Follow the suggestions from the kithen for your bathroom tile. For vinyl or linoleum flooring, Mary Findlay of Do It Yourself invites you to grab a scrub brush. A thorough cleaning with mild dish detergent and warm water should revive the shine. Investing in a new set of hand towels helps to brighten up the room, too.
• Don't overdo. It's hard to resist decorating for the holidays--especially when you're preparing to host. But you don't want your home looking like a scene out of the North Pole. Consider using natural elements in your decorating, like bouquets of pine and winterberry on the mantel. Tasteful table runners are a great way to get into the holiday spirit and protect your furniture at the same time.
• Plan ahead. Don't leave the big cleaning for the last minute. Doing so may stress you out unnecessarily and may possibly lead to less-than-ideal results.

Use these steps to primp and prep your home to receive happy holiday guests.

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