Preparing Your Home for Holiday Entertaining
by Lumber Liquidators
With the holidays quickly approaching, many people are already feeling the crunch of the season.
Many families prepare for the holidays several months in advance in order to plan the perfect event or even just to maintain their favorite family traditions. This year, hosts can go above and beyond typical holiday decorations and create a beautiful scene inside their home.
Whether having just a few guests or a party of 20, a holiday host should be confident in the appearance of their home. While guests certainly won’t expect a complete remodel for the occasion, they will be “wowed” with a couple quick projects that are sure to reinvent the home.

Freshen Up
A fresh coat of paint can go a long way in a home. Whether sticking with your current color or trying a new one, painting is a sure way to brighten up the walls for a picturesque holiday background or add warmth on those cold, winter nights.
Another simple way to enhance the mood within a home is to update the lighting fixtures. Guests will notice the difference as the lighting goes from dingy and dark to bright and brilliant.
A great way to start off the New Year is to literally rearrange the furniture in a home. This new take on a living room, dining room or bedroom gives homeowners the feeling of a fresh start to the New Year.
Floored by the Floors
For those that really want to impress guests, upgrading the flooring will certainly leave a lasting impression. Installing hardwood floors is a project that many homeowners put off for months, or even years at a time, but could actually be done by many DIYers over a weekend. The holidays are the perfect time of year to debut such a project. As children open presents on the floor, the brand new hardwood will definitely get noticed (and photographed).
Many flooring companies, such as Lumber Liquidators, will help homeowners find the perfect flooring for their home. By visiting www.LumberLiquidators.com, ambitious homeowners can view a variety of flooring options, but also get tips on flooring installation, floor care and learn specific qualities about the different types of floors.
Once hardwood floors have been installed, they should be properly maintained. For homeowners who already have hardwood flooring, a quick polish will be sure to make the floors sparkle. Rugs, especially for homeowners with pets, should also be cleaned.
Dive Deep and Donate
Before holiday purchases and gifts roll in, homeowners would be wise to clean out their closets of clothes they don’t wear, dig through those toy chests in order to get rid of any neglected toys and do a sweep of the garage for tools they could live without.
Once all of these items are collected, homeowners will not only be organized, but will also have the opportunity to contribute to a good cause. There are many organizations that will take such items, especially before the holidays. Goodwill and The Salvation Army are among many, nationwide, that appreciate donations any time of the year. The tax breaks that result from such donations help many people financially as they enter the New Year.
Add Some Cheer
Besides traditional holiday decorations, homeowners can have fun trying to find new and different places in the home to “spread the cheer.” With decorative pillows, seasonal landscaping or a new set of dishes, these unexpected touches will not only be fun for the family, but will welcome guests as they enter.
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