Before the Holidays: 7 Home Design Decisions to Make Now
Chelsea Chavis | Oct 1, 2026
The holidays have a way of making everything happen at once. Suddenly, the guest room needs attention, the dining table feels too small, the entryway becomes a drop zone, and every surface seems to collect something. What felt manageable in October can quickly become overwhelming once celebrations, guests, shopping, cooking, and family gatherings begin.
The good news? You don't have to wait for the holiday rush to figure everything out. A few intentional design decisions now can make your home feel more organized, welcoming, and comfortable when the busy season arrives. At Chavis Concepts & Designs, we believe thoughtful design isn't just about how your home looks - it should make everyday life feel easier, too.
The first few feet of your home can set the tone for everything that follows.
Your entryway works harder during the holidays. Coats, shoes, bags, packages, keys, and seasonal décor can quickly turn a small space into a cluttered landing zone. Before the busy season begins, create a simple system for the things that tend to pile up.
Consider adding baskets, hooks, a console with storage, or a designated place for everyday essentials. Keep the décor intentional and leave enough open space for guests to comfortably enter and move through your home. A functional entryway creates a calmer first impression for both you and your guests.
Good gatherings begin with a place for everyone to feel comfortable.
Holiday gatherings often reveal something we don't notice during everyday life: whether our living spaces actually support conversation and connection. Furniture pushed too far apart, blocked pathways, or not enough comfortable seating can make entertaining feel awkward.
Look at your living room from the perspective of a guest. Can people easily see and talk to one another? Is there enough room to move around? Sometimes rearranging the furniture or adding a few versatile seating options can completely change how a room functions.
Your dining space doesn't need to be bigger - it needs to be more intentional.
Holiday meals naturally bring people together, which means your dining area may suddenly have a much bigger job. Before the season begins, consider how many people you typically host and whether your current setup allows everyone to comfortably gather.
An extendable table, flexible seating, a nearby serving surface, or improved lighting can make a noticeable difference. Think beyond the table itself and consider how food, conversation, and movement will flow throughout the room.
A comfortable guest room doesn't need to feel like a hotel.
If family or friends will be staying with you, small details can make their experience much more comfortable. Start with the essentials: a clear place for belongings, comfortable bedding, adequate lighting, and enough room to move around.
Then add thoughtful touches that make the room feel welcoming without overcrowding it. A small lamp, extra blanket, fresh towels, a few books, or a simple piece of artwork can create a sense of warmth and belonging.
A beautiful home should still work when real life gets busy.
The holidays aren't always picture-perfect, and your home shouldn't have to be. Packages arrive, dishes pile up, children play, guests bring belongings, and everyone moves through the house differently. Instead of trying to prevent every mess, design your home to handle real life.
Look for practical storage solutions and surfaces that are easy to maintain. Baskets, hidden storage, washable textiles, durable materials, and designated drop zones can help contain everyday chaos while keeping your home feeling intentional.
The right lighting can make your home feel warmer before the first guest arrives.
Lighting can completely transform the atmosphere of a room. Bright overhead lighting may work well for cleaning or preparing a meal, but softer layers can make your home feel more intimate and inviting when people gather.
Think about incorporating table lamps, floor lamps, accent lighting, and warm decorative lighting throughout your main living areas. The goal isn't simply to make the room brighter - it's to create different lighting options for different moments.
Your future self will appreciate a home that feels good, not just one that looks good.
It can be tempting to make your home “holiday ready” by buying new décor, replacing furniture, or trying to recreate an idealized image you've seen online. But your home doesn't need to look perfect to feel special. What matters most is whether the space supports connection, comfort, and the way you actually live.
Before making another purchase, ask yourself what your home truly needs. Maybe it's better lighting, more functional storage, a comfortable chair, or simply less visual clutter. Intentional choices now can help you enjoy the holidays instead of constantly managing your surroundings.
Give Your Future Self a Little More Room to Enjoy the Holidays
Preparing your home for the holidays doesn't have to mean completely redesigning it. Often, the biggest difference comes from small decisions made before the season gets busy - creating better flow, improving storage, making guests comfortable, and designing spaces around connection.
Your future self shouldn't be spending the holidays wondering where to put everyone's coats, searching for extra seating, or apologizing for the clutter. With thoughtful design, your home can feel welcoming, functional, and peaceful - even when life gets a little busier.
At Chavis Concepts & Designs, we believe your home should support comfort, balance, and well-being in every season. If you're ready to create a space that feels as good as it looks - and works better for the life you're living - we'd love to help you design it with intention.
The holidays are coming. Your home doesn't have to wait until then to feel ready.