It’s no secret that the festive period is expensive. According to research, the average household in the UK spends over £1,000 each Christmas.

But even if you’re spending less on non-essentials due to the current cost of living crisis, you can still give your home an elegant makeover this sparkly season.

Here’s how you can revamp your home ready for Christmas:

1. Create a budget

The first step is deciding how much you can afford to spend on Christmas decorations. As the festive season is already pricey, it’s best to evaluate how much you have set aside for Christmas presents and go from there.
When you’re creating a budget, it’s important not to break the bank! Create a realistic plan and get savvy to make sure you don’t overspend.

If you’re on a shoestring budget, you can try making some decorations yourself with materials from a pound store. Or head to the local charity shop to scoop up some bargains.

2. Add lighting

Lighting can really make or break your home at Christmas. To keep things classy, it’s best to avoid multi-coloured, flashing lights… Unless that’s your thing, of course!

Adding lights to the outside of your home can create a welcoming glow and will really help set the festive scene. Icicle lights are a firm-favourite and look particularly wonderful if you place them above glass doors or windowpanes.

It’s important to remember that the tone of lighting you opt for will impact your overall look. For example, cooler tones tend to look best adorning modern homes and warm lights complement traditional buildings.

3. Think about the scent

Nothing says Christmas more than cinnamon, clove and nutmeg!

One of the best ways to keep your home smelling oh-so-Christmassy is by purchasing some reed diffusers. These will keep your home smelling fresh all day long without the need for a candle. This is ideal if you need to nip out to collect the turkey but still want your home to smell divine!

If you love the ambient glow of a candle but don’t want to pay extortionate prices, you can make your own using soy wax flakes, some essential oil drops, a candle wick and a glass jar.

4. Stick to a theme

It’s easy to get carried away when it comes to Christmas decorations. But to stop your décor becoming chaotic and visually overwhelming, it’s best to pick a theme and stick to it. By choosing just one pattern or colour scheme, you’ll keep things cohesive throughout your home.

The best colour scheme will depend entirely on your home and preferences. As a general rule of thumb, traditional homes can’t go wrong with a classic red and gold theme whereas newer homes can look wonderful adorned with blue, white and silver decorations.

But the most important step? Have fun! Christmas is all about celebrating so if you can’t let loose and have a bit of fun at Christmas, when can you?