Preparing a home for holiday entertaining needn't require an entire season.
You can easily put your house in order in just one weekend with the right approach, advises Carl Prindle of Furniture.com, who offers these tips to ready any home.
Start fresh: Before beginning, take a fresh look. Have you outgrown your decor from five, 10, or 20 years ago? Ask a trusted friend for the honest truth. Then, take action.
Go with the flow: Re-arrange furniture to increase floor space and allow guests freer movement. Continue your party's theme from room to room for an uninterrupted flow.
Make small nooks for small talk: Create cozy conversation areas by arranging nesting tables to hold guests' food and drinks.
Don't crowd: Face the fact 10 guests won't fit around a dining table made to seat four. Either upgrade to a larger table, or spread out.
Add colour: A little bit of colour can go a long way. Bright accent pillows, bold frames and co-ordinated candles in decorative candleholders can make a dull or sterile room more attractive and welcoming. Highlight a special item by placing it against a contrasting surface.
Don't stress: Forget perfection. Anything "out of place" makes a home more cozy and charming. Go for what feels right. It's your home -- above all else, enjoy the party.
