How to get your home ready for Christmas: essential jobs to tackle – realestate.com.au

With just a few weeks to go before Christmas, experts say now is the time to get your home ready to welcome family and friends.

Whether you’re planning a big sit-down lunch with all the trimmings or festive drinks for just a few people, paying attention to the key areas in your home will help it sparkle on the big day.

Here’s your guide to preparing for Christmas!

Beautify outdoor entertainment areas

With many families planning to enjoy Christmas outdoors, it’s important to address any signs of wear and tear on deck boards and give them a fresh coat of oil, says Hipages Chief Marketing Officer Jeff Lim.

Or, if your home lacks outdoor shade, consider a new pergola.

“There has been a definite increase in the number of people wanting to build pergolas at this time of year so that there is some shade,” Mr Lim said.

“And there is still time (to install a pergola before Christmas).

“People have more than four weeks to actually get the job done – but remember, everyone is thinking the same way, so you have to get to work now (to secure tradespeople).”

Bunnings Workshop DIY expert Mitch Mclean said a shade sail also provided all-important outdoor shade and was relatively easy to install.

“This DIY project requires a little advance planning and a few helping hands, but it can be completed in a day or a weekend, so you can enjoy your shaded area in the run-up to Christmas, over the holidays and beyond,” he says.

While you’re outside, address any paint chips in your front door or wooden window frames, Mr. Mclean said.

“Use a utility knife to cut away a piece of existing paint — about the size of a 50-cent coin — from an inconspicuous area and take it to the shop for color matching,” he said.

“Fill any small dents or cracks with wood filler.

“Once it’s dry, sand it flush with the surrounding surface with 120-grit sandpaper (and) touch it up with paint.”

If the bottom of a door or window frame had absorbed water and started to rot, it was time to call a tradie, Mr. Mclean said.

It’s a great time to spruce up the garden, especially if you plan to have guests over the holidays.

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Let your garden bloom

First impressions are important, so impress your guests as soon as they arrive by clearing weeds from the paths and adding a few new plants to enhance the facade of your property, Mr Mclean said.

You can even create a pebble or step path to lead guests to your front door.

Mr Lim said the key to a spectacular garden is good maintenance, so now is also the time to install a watering system and add watering agents to pots and soil to prevent the plants from drying out.

Light up!

“If there’s one thing that makes it feel like Christmas, it’s wrapping your outdoor space in magical, twinkling festive lights,” Mr Mclean said.

Choose from Christmas lights or more traditional lighting that can be used all year round, as well as solar-powered options if you want to keep running costs low.

When choosing outdoor lighting, safety, ambience, entertainment and security were all important considerations, Mr Mclean said.

It’s a good opportunity to tackle the tasks you hate the most.

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Don’t forget indoors

The inside of your home also benefits from some attention, said Mr Mclean, who recommended hiring a deep cleaner to remove allergens, stains, bacteria and pet hair from carpets and upholstery.

Wipe walls and windows and also thoroughly clean the kitchen and bathroom.

If necessary, the blinds should be repaired and the lamps replaced with more energy-efficient versions.

With all food likely to be cooked, Mr Mclean advised homeowners to clean the fridge and freezer, barbecue and even the Esky.

And while cleaning the oven was often anxiety-inducing, he said it was easier than most would think.

“Cleaning your oven can make cooking and baking at Christmas more enjoyable,” said Mr Mclean.

“Proper cleaning ensures that your oven retains the heat and is also more hygienic.”

Away this Christmas?

If you are traveling anywhere else, Mr Lim said it was a must to ensure your home was secured with security cameras.

“If you want to get away for a while, it always helps to keep an eye on your house,” he says.

“There are a lot of security systems that even when you’re not there, you can watch and monitor (your home) through video technology.”

If your home is located in an area prone to wildfires, it was also important to take preventative measures before an emergency.

“Take the normal seasonal precautions – clean the gutters, remove all rubbish and minimize the risk,” Mr Lim said.

Mr Mclean said testing smoke detectors and replacing batteries if necessary was also sensible.

“It only takes a few moments of your time and it can be a lifesaver,” he said.

Cleaning gutters and removing debris is a good idea before the brutal summer heat sets in.

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– by Lauren Ahwan