Create a warm welcome for Christmas guests

The excitement of seeing loved-ones is made all the merrier when they arrive at a front door decked out for Christmas. It promises warmth and happiness inside and that extra twinkle can even bring cheer to passers-by too.

You don’t need a grand porch – it’s all about making the most of what you’ve got. A plain door can be a brilliant blank canvas for a modern multi-coloured wreath while internal doors to flats and studios allow for more elaborate dressings away from the harshness of the elements.

Set the theme at the door and continue your selected colours and motifs through the hallway and on into the heart of your home.

Additional lighting at the entrance to your home will brighten the dark days of winter. Outdoor lights, lanterns and/or a battery-powered light-up wreath can all add shine. Work with the proportions of the door and the space available in the surroundings.

Mains-powered outdoor lights can plug into a transformer indoors and stay on 24/7 (although a timer in the plug socket can save precious electricity), while battery lights are fine for occasional use. But there are low-tech ways to spruce up outdoors too.

A home-made wreath always looks impressive, but a swag hung from a door knocker can be a quick-and-easy alternative. Gather a few pieces of real or faux foliage together and tie with ribbon, before fixing in some baubles. If your door is exposed to the elements, go for plastic or natural materials rather than delicate glass which will shatter with frost.

‘We noticed a trend for door-scaping last year and this looks set to continue to 2021 so we’ve introduced swag door decorations in two colourways,’ says Jason Billings-Cray, Partner & Christmas buyer. ‘They’re a simple way to add elegance and a new festive take on your front door.’

Inside, update plain garlands with a few decorations attached using florist’s wire – it’s the easy way to work in your colour theme each year. Wind with ribbon or battery-powered LEDs while berry picks – a trade secret among interiors stylists – are great for adding clusters of colour in a flash.

Staircase garlands look stunning but there is a trade off between style and safety. If your home will be hosting small children or anyone unsteady on their feet over the holidays, attach at stair height keeping the bannister clear for use. Alternatively, focus your efforts on door frames instead.

Hallways are there to link rooms so make sure your Christmas decs follow suit. Check the sightlines especially in semi open-plan spaces, looking  for bare spots in your finery.

Consider the lighting scheme, choosing warm bulbs for a cosy glow. A few lamps spaced along a long hallway create an enticing journey and floor lamps work just as well as table lamps if you want to free up surfaces. And do add some festive home fragrances – they’re such a great mood-setter.

The hallway console table can be a great spot for a festive tablescape. You can go to town here (in miniature, of course) with tiny trees, light-up houses and little tableaus filled with seasonal figures. If your console is large enough, consider a mini train set to enchant old and young.

Be guest-ready with a proper coat hooks or stand. Prune back any dumping grounds to clear room on any existing hooks and add coat hangers to maximise that space. Encourage guests to leave wet and leafy shoes by the door by providing a welcoming basket of slipper socks and provide a brolly drop. A few good quality house umbrellas are useful next to the door to escort guests back to cars. Then dress up all this practicality with swags and wreaths and a few pretty parcels.

The joyous thing about the hallway is that you can go overboard and really make it fun. Flying whales guiding the way? Why not? Neon lights and crazy displays? Make no apologies. Adding a few surprise features will be a great talking point and have guests smiling and laughing the minute they walk through the door. Now, who wouldn’t want that?