There’s snow place like home during the festive season.
And with visitors incoming from all angles – even down the chimney – it’s never too soon to start prepping for some very special guests.
Along with a tree to decorate and the mistletoe to hang, there are some essential pre-Christmas quick-fixes that are sure to get the home looking better than ever.
With everything you need to sleigh the big day, B&Q is the perfect place to get ahead of the festive prep this season, until all that’s left to do is to get jolly-well excited!
So, make your list of ho-ho-home improvements, check it twice, then get cracking with the 12-best fix-ups for Christmas.
1. May your walls be merry and bright
While the weather outside is frightful, bring some brightness into your home with some energetic, mood-boosting shades that make up for the lack of natural light. Give walls and ceilings some much-needed festive cheer with the GoodHome Durable Matt Emulsion (£16), available in a rainbow of colours.
2. Add extra sparkle to your bathroom
From the temperamental toilet seat to the drippy taps, those niggling DIY jobs that have been staring in you the face for 365 days can be fixed up just in time for the in-laws’ arrival because B&Q is here to help. Replace the washbasin with a GoodHome Cavally Basin & Pedestal (£60) and leave your limescale nightmares behind with a sparkling new 8.5kw Mira Décor Electric Shower (£190). To finish the job, pick up a Diani Toilet Seat in store for just £25 and it will feel like a complete bathroom refit for under £300.
3. Wrap up your home this winter
There’s nothing better than locking the cold out and sealing in the warmth. With indoor solutions like the Eko Roll Loft Insulation (buy 3 for £16.50 each) at B&Q, you won’t even need the novelty Christmas jumpers to feel all warm and fuzzy inside. Upgrading to the Google Nest Learning Thermostat (£197) will ensure that cosy indoor feeling lasts all winter as it allows you to remotely set your water and heating temperatures – while helping you be more energy efficient. Or you could fit B&Q’s Cottage Woodgrain Internal Doors (£50), a clever solution for a warmer, cosier home that come pre-painted, making them an easy way to get a few compliments come Christmas time!
4. Make your kitchen glisten
All good hosts know that the party congregates in the kitchen – especially if food is at the centre of your celebrations. Small tweaks such as updating your taps can make a big difference – something stylish like the Cooke & Lewis Zanthe Chrome Effect Kitchen Side Lever Mixer Tap (£70 at B&Q) will instantly boost any space. And to make entertaining the masses easier, make sure your snacks are up to scratch with a Cooke & Lewis Freestanding Microwave (£54), because ‘tis the seasoning… and all that!
5. Let it glow, let it glow, let it glow
Nothing says Christmas like a bit of twinkle. To achieve that cosy feeling in any room, finding the right lighting for your favourite spaces can make your home shine brighter than ever. Switch out harsh bulbs for the subtle glow of Diall E27 Warm White LEDs (£8) and make a statement with the Endor Modern Chrome Effect Ceiling light (£65)that makes an elegant upgrade to any room.
6. Perfect the finishing touches
When peeling wallpaper or discoloured walls need a little TLC, there are some quick, easy and seriously stylish solutions to be found at B&Q. Refresh tired patterns and outdated feature walls with GoodHome Laleu Blue Tile Effect Wallpaper (from £20) or change the curtains to the easy-to-hang Digga Grey Diamond Eyelets (from £20) that will not only create an inviting space, but be one less fix-up for the new year!
7. Get organised before the big day
Whilst you’re busy making room for all the VIPs, a few clever storage solutions can help make space for the extra decorations. Tidy and declutter with a little help from the Konnect White Storage Cube range (from £14), that double as great hiding places for your most important presents. The Really Useful storage solutions from B&Q also make no-fuss tidying options for the Christmas tree, baubles and wrapping paper.
Deck your home this Christmas for less
Of course, the best thing about prepping the home for Christmas is decking the halls. This year, B&Q has dreamt up the perfect Christmas with everything to create a winter wonderland, from the inside out. From trees to decorations and lights, get the whole family involved in setting a magical scene.
8. Choosing your tree
You can make small tweaks to your seasonal scene with more contemporary options, like a stunning real Nordman Fir Tree (from £22, available in-store), comes in four sizes, or consider a faux-yet-fabulous version like the Eiger Artificial Tree to achieve the ultimate centre-piece for the annual festivities.
9. Style it like a pro
With the winter holidays stretching ahead, it’s a good time to get your little elves involved with transforming the home. Give your tree the festive makeover it deserves with traditional Nordic decorations, strings of lights and playful, candy-inspired ornaments – and definitely don’t skimp on the bauble count!
10. Deck your whole home
Transform bedrooms and guest rooms into holiday hideaways with twinkling lights, or miniature Christmas trees. And when it comes to the other rooms, Christmas plants and candles will sprinkle some festive magic all around the home.
11. A dressed-to-impress entrance
First impressions count when it comes to welcoming guests for drinks and festive snacks, so give the entrance a little refresh with the Valspar Exterior Wood & Metal Paint (£29), then dress it all up with a Seasonal Doormat (£5) and a Traditional Wreath (£15), from B&Q, to make sure Santa knows you’re home. Light-trimmed windows and a Festive Sausage Dog on the doorstep are also guaranteed to win a few smiles from your guests.
12. Say it with a gift from B&Q
When all that’s left to do is pick the gifts, treat a friend, colleague or family member to a B&Q Gift Card, so they can create their dream home in 2020. From smart home devices such as hubs and security cameras to power tools, there’s everything they need to get the resolutions off to the right start.
To explore the full B&Q range, head to your local store or visit diy.com
