Chaussons fourrés Breya beige sur un tapis en grosse maille devant une cheminée décorée et des bougies

Getting your home ready for Christmas: 10 cosy ideas

December is coming and you can feel the urge to hunker down. Getting your home ready for Christmas isn't just about getting the baubles out of the box: it's about creating a space you want to stay in, alone or with others. Here are 10 cosy ideas, from lighting and textiles to your feet, for a warm and welcoming home without giving up all your weekends.

The essentials

Start by making space: a clutter-free home instantly feels more welcoming.
Use lots of small, soft light sources rather than one bright ceiling light.
Stick to two or three colours for a harmonious look.
Layer textiles and think about scent: they're what make a home feel cosy.
Don't forget your feet: warm slippers complete the mood, for you and your guests.

10 ideas for a cosy Christmas home

1. Declutter before you decorate

It's the least glamorous step, but the most effective. Clear the corner where the tree will go, empty the surfaces (sideboard, coffee table, windowsills) and tidy the hallway. Decorations get lost in a cluttered room; in a clear space, they can breathe.

2. Go for soft lighting

The secret of a cosy atmosphere comes down to one rule: several small, low lights rather than one big overhead light. Fairy lights in a vase or along a shelf, table lamps, candle holders on the table. Choose a warm, yellowish light rather than a cold white. Near the tree and fabrics, use LED candles: same effect, no risk.

3. Pick a palette of two or three colours

Forest green and cream, camel and gold, white and natural wood: a tight palette instantly looks harmonious. Warm neutrals (beige, camel, brown, cream) go with everything and keep the cosy feel going long after the festive season.

4. Bring nature indoors

A few fir branches in a jug, pine cones in a bowl, a garland of dried orange slices, a eucalyptus wreath on the door: natural materials warm up a room and cost very little. It's also a lovely family project, like our cosy DIY advent calendar.

5. Layer your textiles

A chunky knit throw on the sofa, velvet cushions, a thick rug by the armchair: layering soft materials makes you want to curl up. No need to change everything, just add two or three winter pieces that you'll put away in spring.

6. Dress the table from early December

There's no need to wait until Christmas Eve to make the table festive. A linen runner, a few candles, cloth napkins and a sprig of fir are enough to transform weeknight dinners. On the day itself, all you'll need to add are the plates.

7. Fill your home with natural scents

Scent is part of every Christmas memory. Gently simmer a pan of water with orange peel, a cinnamon stick and a few cloves, or stud an orange with cloves. Real fir branches bring their own fragrance too.

8. Create a cosy corner

An armchair by a window, a lamp, a throw, a small table for your cup of tea: this corner becomes your refuge on December evenings. All our ideas for setting one up are in our article on creating a cosy reading nook.

9. Get the hallway ready for guests

The hallway is the first thing your loved ones see. An absorbent mat, free hooks for coats, a bench for taking shoes off and a basket of slippers to lend: your guests will feel expected. How many pairs, which sizes? It's all in our guide to slippers for your Christmas guests.

10. Keep your feet warm

We rarely think about it, yet it's impossible to feel good in a beautiful home with frozen feet. Warm slippers are part of the atmosphere just as much as the throw. Our Merano cosy sherpa slippers, with their wide faux-fur cuff and plush lining, are made for evenings by the tree. If you pop out to the garden or balcony, the Bormio lined vegan suede clogs, with their grooved cork-effect sole, can go outside too.

Faux-fur lined vegan suede slipper worn with a white ribbed sock, cosy mood

When should you start decorating for Christmas?

In the UK, many households put up the tree and decorations in early December, often on the first weekend of the month. There's no rule: what matters is enjoying the atmosphere. A tip to spread the effort: lighting and textiles first, at the end of November, then the tree and the table in early December.

How can you make your home cosy on a budget?

Reuse: branches, pine cones, jars and ribbons kept from one year to the next.
Move what you already have: a lamp from the study to the living room, a throw from the bedroom to the sofa.
Invest in things that last: good-quality fairy lights, a beautiful throw, a pair of slippers you'll wear all winter.

To go further, explore our full range of faux-fur lined boots and slippers in vegan suede, a microfibre with a peach-skin feel and no animal materials. Delivery is free and you have 60 days to change your mind.