Christmas is supposed to be the most wonderful time of the year, spent bunkered down at home surrounded by friends and family, twinkling lights, a big beautiful tree, and merriment galore.
But for those of us navigating a home remodel, this time of year is actually pretty stress-inducing. Trust me, I get it – I'm living it right now.
So if your Christmas decor is currently looking like a sprinkling of sawdust, cracks papered over with gift wrap, and chaos wrapped up in tinsel, here are a few ideas to make the most of the holidays – from a seasoned renovator.
How to navigate Christmas while renovating
As I approach my second Christmas living among building work, while it’s not picture-perfect, I’ve learned that celebrating amidst the mess is entirely possible with a little creativity and a positive attitude.
If you're in the same boat as me, you'll know that a remodel isn't just physically and financially challenging, but emotionally too. Particularly during the holidays when all you want is a cozy space to host those you love and spend nights in with your feet up watching Christmas movies.
Here are some of my tried-and-tested tips that have helped me to navigate Christmas while living in a remodel.
1. Make a list of some 'quick win' tasks
When you're renovating it becomes all about the 'big jobs' – tasks that create big transformations and impact, like new flooring, kitchen cabinets, or the bathroom suite. But with Christmas fast approaching and contractors looking to down tools ahead of the holidays, you're going to need a Christmas miracle to get these things finished in time.
The best thing we ever did was (hear me out) get ourselves a 'Christmas Whiteboard'. On this, we made ourselves a to-do list of small, achievable DIY jobs that we knew we could complete ourselves that would make us feel better about certain areas of the home.
This could be something as simple as relocating all tools to a storage box, a quick lick of white paint in the dining space to brighten it up, a push to get the fireplace fitted so you could hang a garland, or literally rolling out a large rug to hide bare floorboards and make the living room feel cozy.
2. Decorate the "finished" spaces
Of course, I don't know what exact stage your remodel is at. You might be approaching the finish line or right at the starting block, but it is always best to channel your energy into a few focused finished – or at least usable – spaces.
Focus on creating a holiday atmosphere where it will matter most, rather than trying to spread yourself too thin trying to cover up the construction and make it feel like a grotto everywhere.
You're going to need to prioritize this close to the big day, so look to the areas that feel the most 'done'. Ideally, these are the spaces you'll spend the most time in like the living room, dining area, or kitchen but if your bathroom is the most finished there's nothing to stop you from adding in some Christmas candles and even a wreath hung on the window to add some cheer.
Made from felt for a folky Christmas feel, the soft white leaves and red holly berries add a sweet festive touch to any indoor space.
3. Spruce up the outdoors
If the indoors is looking frightfully more Halloween than Christmas, then the best thing I can advise is to focus on some outdoor Christmas decoration ideas.
This is the approach I took last Christmas when the walls were back to brick and the floors bare. When your interiors are a work in progress, a construction-weary home can still shine with some Christmas door decor.
Consider hanging a beautiful Christmas wreath on the front door (even if it is an old one you're looking to replace) and employing some Christmas porch decor ideas like in this Terrain holiday scene with garlands, greenery, and some twinkling lights. Fairy lights or lanterns on your porch can make the space feel warm and festive, even if the inside isn’t quite there yet.
Christmas lights make everything seem better. These warm white waterfall-style fairy lights have 8 twinkle modes to sparkle like icicles.
A pretty wreath on the door or hung in your front window is sure to make you smile when you arrive home, even if you hate what you see once you open the door.
Add a touch of festive magic to your porch with a shimmering light-up tree on the front steps. This 4ft tree has 50 multicolor lights to look merry and bright.
4. Try a paper tree
When space is tight and dust and debris are everywhere, a traditional Christmas tree might feel more like a chore than a joy. So instead, I'm suggesting you look to some alternative Christmas tree ideas.
The simplest and chicest option is to get yourself a decorative paper tree, like the ones seen above by West Elm. These honeycomb-style trees come in many sizes and guises, arrive flat (and pack down totally flat too, another win), and unfold into 3D trees that are typically either secured with magnets or ribbon ties.
Personally, I've just popped up the Supersized Honeycomb Paper Tree from Cox & Cox in the corner of my living room so that we still feel like we've got ourselves a tree without the hassle. The beauty of a paper tree is that it’s lightweight and easy to move, making it perfect for a temporary setup until you can go all-out next year.
These paper trees make an effortlessly stylish festive addition. Available in 2 colors and 4 sizes (tall, short, thick, and thin).
5. Look to create some calm among the chaos
You don't need a finished space to create a sense of comfort and joy, I promise. Amidst the noise and disruption of a remodel, carving out spaces of calm can be your saving grace during the holiday season.
Even a small corner of your home can be transformed into a retreat with some cozy decorating ideas. Think festive bedding and throw blankets in your and the guest bedrooms, soft lighting (including fairy lights!), and don't forget about scent and sound.
A half-finished room can feel so much better with the addition of some seasonal scents and a playlist of your favorite festive tunes for an instant mood booster.
A plaid throw feels traditional and festive, yet in this joyful contemporary hue, it can be left out year-round (so long as you pack it away when the contractors return).
A portable speaker is a godsend in a reno and is something both you and the builders will appreciate. Simply connect to your WiFi and enjoy up to 10 hours of Christmas classics.
Both a beautiful gift for a loved one and yourself, Jo Malone's seasonal limited-edition Orange Bitters candle will make your home feel like a winter's cocktail.
Let me leave you with this: your loved ones care more about the merry memories made (and the food on offer) than whether your kitchen backsplash is finished. This mindset has been a game-changer for me, helping me to focus on the small wins that I can achieve rather than stressing over what I can't.
