Quick and Easy Ideas to get Holiday Ready!

Uh oh! We’re in November and you know exactly what that means. It’s time to get ready for the holidays. From pendant and recessed lights all the way down to hardwood and tile floors, this task is the perfect mixture of stress and joy. Stressful because you want your home to look perfect for that enormous gathering you are planning on having for the holiday season and then joyous due to the fun of it all. There are so many different tasks to do and we will tell you some of the key updates and choirs to keep your house a priority in all of your guests’ hearts. Now, depending on where you live you may take different steps in prepping your house for the holidays some of us have to deal with snow and others only have to deal with rain. Depending on what mother nature brings to your homes doorstep will determine how you prepare in certain aspects.

Living Room: Winter Essentials

Starting with what could be arguably the most important room in the house for guests; the living room is the bread and butter for the holidays. It’s where presents are opened, where families can just sit down and relax in an open space, and most importantly where memories are shared. Since you always want something comfortable to sit on it’s a good idea to replace some of the couch accessories. Make sure to add comfy and fuzzy throws to your modern or contemporary furniture. Be conscious of the colors you choose as well, stay away from darker hues as they can take away from the holiday cheer. Another suggestion if you don’t already have one is to add a large shag rug to the floor just to keep guests feet warm while their shoes are off. Also, if you don’t already have dimmer switches installed, be sure to get them installed by a licensed contractor or electrician. They are crucial in setting the right mood for the holidays.

Keeping Kitchen Surfaces Like New

It’s very important for your kitchen to be ready for whatever you throw at it. Different kitchen surfaces have different cleaning instructions but it is always important to keep your countertops clean of bacteria and food remnants. For everyday cleaning of stone countertops like quartz, marble, and granite, make sure to use a moderate amount of soap mixed with water. For those industrial, stainless steel, countertops make sure to use a minute amount of dishwashing detergent with water but make sure to dry it properly so you don’t leave streaks on the surface. For laminate countertops be sure to use baking soda with a little bit of water. Cleaning wood surfaces like walnut, cherry, or bamboo might be the most tedious since they have porous surfaces. You will want to make sure to scrub those countertops thoroughly. Once the wooden surface is clean you can use vinegar to sanitize the top. With these hygienic tips for holiday kitchen prep you should be able to avoid any sort of cold this holiday season and more importantly keep your beautiful countertop investment in tip top shape.

Fireplace Facelift

What maybe an overlooked project for the holiday season, is updating your fireplace. Given a remodel of your fireplace is within your budget for the holiday season it could be the perfect update! With “El Niño” on its way, Los Angeles residents may not be completely ready for it and there’s no better way to be prepared for it with a lovely new fireplace. Always be sure to find the right general contractor and installer to do the job. Stone contemporary designs are in right now for fireplaces and would look beautiful with a soft earth tone back drop. To top it all off don’t forget to add some stockings and pictures to the mantel shelf to add some aesthetics to the room.

Front Entrance
With the extra precipitation were expecting to receive in Los Angeles this winter, it is important to take precautionary measures to keep your floors free of dirt and debris. Be sure to clean up grout if you have any sort of tile surfaces. You can accomplish this task by using some grout cleaner with any sort of brush and deep clean all grout making it look like new. After cleaning the grout it’s important to keep it clean. An essential addition could be to add some sort of bench or place to sit for guests who want to take their muddy shoes off before enjoying the rest of your humble abode. These little tips and ideas will help you maintain your house, not only for the holidays, but for all seasons in the years to come.

As a Design+Build General Contractor, I offer my clients a one-stop shopping approach to all of their home remodeling projects. I work with my clients from initial conception of a project through its completion. Every aspect of the job is managed by me and my professional crew. You will be included in every step of the design process until the final drawings are completed. No detail is left to chance. General Contractor Specializing in Kitchen & Bathroom Design and Remodeling Throughout the Los Angeles area.