That Squeezed In Christmas Feeling
We all know that feeling. The BBQ is sizzling outside, but everyone is crammed inside, dodging elbows to get to the chilly bin. Aunty needs a chair, and you’re playing a risky game of Tetris trying to find one. Meanwhile, the pavlova sits precariously on a bench already overflowing with salads and half empty glasses. For many Kiwi families, this familiar chaos is almost a nostalgic part of Christmas Day.
But what if next year could be different? This isn’t about a last minute panic. It’s a forward thinking guide to making small, thoughtful changes throughout the year. The goal is to transform your home so that next Christmas is relaxed, spacious, and genuinely enjoyable. This doesn't require a massive, expensive overhaul. It’s about smart organisation and clever design choices. Thoughtful design is what transforms a house into a home, a principle at the core of all our architectural work.
Ultimately, proactive planning for a stress free Christmas is the key. It allows you to focus on enjoying the day with your whānau, not just surviving it. Let’s make sure next year’s memories are about connection, not congestion.
Making Room Before the Festivities Begin
The first and most important step is creating a blank canvas. Before you can rethink layouts or furniture, you need to clear the decks. We’re talking about decluttering before the holidays, but not in a frantic, weekend long frenzy. Instead, approach it as a slow and steady project spread across the entire year. This makes the task manageable and far less overwhelming.
By tackling one area at a time, you reclaim your space bit by bit. This schedule aligns with the New Zealand seasons, making the process feel more natural.
| Time of Year | Area to Tackle | Goal |
|---|---|---|
| January - February (Summer Clean-out) | Garage & Shed | Sort tools, sports gear, and old paint tins. |
| March - April (Autumn Reset) | Wardrobes & Linen Closet | Pack away summer clothes, donate unworn items. |
| May - June (Pre-Winter Prep) | Kitchen & Pantry | Check expiry dates, sort containers, and clear gadgets. |
| July - August (Mid-Winter Sort) | Living Room & Bookshelves | Cull old magazines, DVDs, and books. |
| September - October (Spring Clean) | Kids' Rooms & Play Areas | Involve kids in donating outgrown toys and clothes. |
Look for common clutter culprits in Kiwi homes. Think of that unused kitchen gadget from a Briscoes sale, the collection of outgrown togs and jandals, or the old sports gear gathering dust. Donating good quality items to op shops like the SPCA, The Salvation Army, or your local hospice shop is a great option. Community Facebook ‘Pay it Forward’ groups are also perfect for finding a new home for things you no longer need. As a starting point, Good Housekeeping offers a helpful guide on what to throw away to create space. For those who realise they need more than a clear out, one of our renovation projects can completely reshape a home's potential.
Rethinking Your Home's Flow
Once you’ve decluttered, the next step is to analyse your space. This is about working more intelligently with what you already have. Become an observer in your own home and think about how to make room for Christmas guests. Cast your mind back to last Christmas. Where did people naturally congregate and create bottlenecks? Was it that tight squeeze between the kitchen island and the fridge, or the main doorway into the lounge?
Identifying these problem areas is the first step. The next is to look for underutilised spaces. That wide landing at the top of the stairs could become a temporary kids' play zone with a few cushions. An unused corner of the lounge is the perfect spot for a dedicated drinks station, drawing people away from the busy kitchen. Creating these functional zones helps manage guest activity and eases congestion, allowing for better movement.
Here’s a simple exercise. Sketch a rough floor plan of your main living areas. Use arrows to map out the typical foot traffic on a busy day. Now, you can test new furniture arrangements on paper before you lift a single thing. This process of sketching and zoning is much like the initial concept design phase we undertake in our professional projects. It helps you understand the invisible pathways and energy of your home, making it work for you, not against you.
Choosing Furniture That Does Double Duty
With a clearer space and a better understanding of your home’s flow, you can now think about strategic additions. Investing in multifunctional furniture for small homes is a key strategy for creating flexibility, especially when hosting. These are hardworking pieces that adapt to your needs, serving you well all year round, not just at Christmas.
Think about ottomans with hidden storage, perfect for quickly stashing away toys or extra blankets when guests arrive. Nesting tables are another brilliant solution. They take up minimal space day to day but can be spread out to hold drinks and nibbles during a party. Some coffee tables even convert to a higher dining level, offering extra seating for a casual meal. An extendable dining table is a fantastic long term investment. It comfortably serves your immediate family for daily meals but can easily expand to welcome the whole whānau for festive gatherings.
Don’t forget other clever seating solutions. A dining banquette can provide ample seating while offering built in storage underneath. Stylish stackable stools are also a great choice, as they can be tucked away in a cupboard or corner when not in use. A few well chosen pieces can dramatically improve your home’s capacity for hosting. This principle of perfect fit is central to how we approach our new build homes and holiday baches, ensuring every element serves a purpose.
Smart Decorating for Smaller Spaces
Festive decorating shouldn’t mean adding to the clutter. The guiding principle here is ‘less is more’. A few high quality, meaningful decorations will create a far more elegant and spacious feel than a room crowded with trinkets. This is where you can find some great small space Christmas decorating ideas NZ style. Start by choosing a cohesive colour palette inspired by the Kiwi summer. Think of the deep blues of the ocean, crisp whites of the sand, and the lush green of our native bush. This creates a calm, curated atmosphere that feels intentional, not chaotic.
The Christmas tree is often the biggest user of floor space. Consider these space saving alternatives:
- Slimline trees fit neatly into tight corners without blocking walkways.
- Tabletop trees bring festive cheer to sideboards or entry tables.
- Wall mounted or half trees offer the illusion of a full tree while using zero floor space.
Another trick is to decorate vertically. This draws the eye upward and creates an illusion of height and space. Hang a beautiful wreath on an internal door, or drape a garland over a large mirror. As design blog StoneGable advises, keeping the floor clear and using tables or shelves for festive touches is key. This thoughtful approach to atmosphere aligns with the principles of our high performance design, which considers how elements like light and comfort contribute to the feel of a space.
Atmosphere is Everything
Finally, remember that a festive mood is about more than just what you can see. Shifting your focus to sensory experiences is a brilliant way to create a welcoming atmosphere without adding a single piece of physical clutter. It’s about engaging all the senses to make your home feel truly special.
Lighting has immense power. Instead of bulky decorations, use warm fairy lights. Place them in large glass jars, drape them over a mantelpiece, or wind them around a stair banister. This creates a magical, inviting glow without taking up any precious surface area. Scent is also incredibly important, especially for a New Zealand summer Christmas. Forget heavy, wintry spices. Opt for fresh, natural aromas. A stovetop potpourri with citrus and rosemary, or candles with light, beachy scents will perfectly capture the season.
Lastly, consider the impact of sound. A curated Christmas playlist that mixes timeless classics with upbeat summer tunes can set the perfect tone for the day. A truly comfortable and memorable Christmas is a blend of smart spatial planning and sensory engagement. By starting now, you can ensure next year is your most relaxed and enjoyable one yet. And if you feel your home needs more than a declutter to be ready for next year, get in touch with us to discuss your project.
