Simple Ways to Host Christmas Beautifully This Year

Hosting season is here, and if your calendar is already filling up with everything from dinner parties to overnight guests, it’s time to start thinking about how your home can rise to the occasion. 

There’s no reason hosting should mean compromising the vibe you’ve carefully curated through your interior design. From compact flats to sprawling spaces, Christmas styling is all about creating an environment that feels elevated and intentional, while still keeping things flexible (and festive) as you make room for more guests. 

Below, Laura Migales, Interior Design & Visual Merchandising Lead at Cult Furniture has put together a room-by-room guide for Christmas hosting:

Living spaces

When welcoming guests into the home, your living room is often the first point of contact and the social anchor that keeps everything grounded throughout their stay. It needs to feel warm, welcoming, and multi-functional — ready for anything from Prosecco to present opening.

Rethink your seating plan

First things first: make sure there’s space for everyone to sit, mingle and move comfortably. Bring in flexible seating options like pouffes, stools, lightweight occasion chairs, or even a storage ottoman that can be moved around to suit the mood of the gathering. 

For open-plan spaces, think about zoning. Use furniture placement to subtly separate your living area from the kitchen or dining space, creating a sense of structure without any walls. In smaller rooms, pulling your sofa slightly away from the wall can help add depth, create flow, and make the room feel more intentional (even a 10cm gap can make a difference!)

Spark conversation

Christmas gatherings are all about connection, so think beyond a circle or row of chairs. Aim to create conversational pockets around your space to encourage guests to break off into smaller, more relaxed groups. 

Start by anchoring your seating area with a rug to define the space. Then, rather than facing everything towards the TV, arrange seating in semi-circle or L shapes to create natural focal points for chats. 

If space is tight, soft furnishings become your secret weapon: floor cushions, pouffes, and layered rugs can offer extra perches without cluttering the room. 

Sofascaping 

If your living room is doubling as a guest room, your sofa needs to work overtime (and look good doing it). Style your sofabed like a showpiece during the day. Layer tonal cushions in mixed textures (velvet, linen, boucle), drape a throw blanket to soften the lines, and anchor the setup with a nearby lamp or side table.

When it’s time to transition into sleep mode, turn up the hotel-style hosting: crisp, colourful bedding, a plush duvet, and a few thoughtful touches like a water carafe, a bedside light, and a handy tray for phone chargers or jewellery.

Dining area

At Christmas, the dining area becomes the heart of the home — a place for laughter, feasting, and a cocktail or two. The space needs to stay adaptable, ready to shift from small and cosy gatherings to big, festive dinner parties with ease.

Start with a flexible foundation

Every flexible dining area needs a table that can grow alongside the guest list. Extendable tables are a hosting essential, offering more surface area without permanently taking up extra space. 

Make sure your seating is just as adaptable. Dining benches, stools, and accent chairs can all be pulled in for extra guests. Stackable chairs are another easy solution that won’t take up space day to day. Hints of brass or chrome add a playfully festive feel to a dining chair, while faux leather or boucle textures bring warmth and luxury.

Strategic tablescaping

When it comes to Christmas decor, avoid tall candlesticks or oversized floral arrangements that block sightlines. Instead, opt for low centrepieces to keep conversation and connection open. Arranging your decorations in a line down the centre of the table will work well for large gatherings, leaving plenty of space for place settings and digging in with gusto.

Style around function

A nearby side table or console can be cleared and repurposed as a self-serve drinks station or dessert zone. This keeps the dining table free from clutter and allows guests to focus on the food and conversation. It’s also a great spot for Christmas decor, keeping the dining area feeling festive without getting in the way during larger gatherings.

Sleep Spaces

With lots of socialising and activity going on, creating a calming retreat is essential for helping guests wind down and recharge after the day’s festivities. Here’s how you can elevate the sleep experience:  

Create a mini welcome station

Transform a bedside table or corner shelf into a mini hospitality zone with a few simple touches. A stylish tray with fresh water, a small vase of seasonal greenery, and a little festive detail — such as a scented candle or pretty notebook — will make guests feel cared for.

Bedscaping and beyond

A beautifully styled bed is the cornerstone of guest comfort, instantly setting a welcoming tone. Start with crisp, high-quality sheets in seasonal colours or calming neutrals, then layer up with a plush duvet and a mix of cushions in sumptuous textures like velvet, boucle, or linen.

Thoughtful lighting

Lighting plays a crucial role in creating a calming atmosphere. Create a soft, warm atmosphere with dimmable bedside lamps or wall sconces. This allows guests to adjust the mood to their liking — whether that’s reading before sleep, or chilling out after a busy day. 

Top image: Valeria Reverdo on Unsplash