Hosting friends and family for your first holiday season in your new build is special. It\u2019s a chance to make fresh memories within fresh walls. But the excitement can come with practical challenges, especially if the neighborhood is still under construction, you\u2019ve just moved in, or rooms aren\u2019t fully finished and furnished.<\/p>\n
As the home\u2019s first owner, you get to shape its personality, including the cozy, lived-in feel that makes a home feel welcoming. While that kind of patina takes time, there are a few design and d\u00e9cor choices can fast-track warmth that will make your guests feel right at home for holiday celebrations or longer stays.<\/p>\n
From setting a cozy glow to boosting curb appeal and maximizing functionality in flex rooms and open-concept areas to receive guests, here is how to get your new build ready to host this holiday season.<\/p>\n
Add Comfort with Warm and Cozy Layers<\/strong><\/p>\n If you\u2019re wondering how to achieve the feeling of holiday cheer in a new build, remember that comfort matters most.<\/p>\n \u201cIt isn\u2019t about minimalism or perfectly styled rooms, it\u2019s about layering your space so it feels lived in and luxuriously inviting,\u201d says James Mellan-Matulewicz, creative director at Bobbi Beck. \u201cThe aim is to make every corner feel welcoming.\u201d<\/p>\n \u2022 Adorn walls with textured coverings and cover brand-new, bare floors with piled rugs for comfort under foot.<\/em> Achieve Holiday Curb Appeal While Under Construction<\/strong><\/p>\n If your new neighborhood is still under construction, there may be fresh (or no) sod, construction fencing, and other items that say more \u201congoing development\u201d than \u201cwinter wonderland.\u201d However, you can still add festive touches to create all-important holiday curb appeal.<\/p>\n \u2022 As the classic holiday tune goes, \u201cthe prettiest sight to see is the holly that will be on your own front door.\u201d Draw the eye (and visitors) to your front door so that your home stands out no matter what\u2019s going on next door or down the street. Use strategic lighting along driveways and walkways, along with porch lanterns and outdoor fixtures, or hang a festive wreath.<\/em> Avoid Traffic Jams in The Open-Concept Floor Plan<\/strong><\/p>\n Many new builds have open concept floor plans. Open areas are great for entertaining a crowd, but the layout needs to be decorated and designed to create space in the right place and guide traffic flow for the comfort of your guests.<\/p>\n \u201cThink about creating comfort zones where people can gather, relax, and connect: a nook with an armchair and throw, or arrange a group of sofas designed to encourage conversation rather than screen time,\u201d says Mellan-Matulewicz.<\/p>\n \u2022 Designate smaller zones within the larger space, which helps with wayfinding and communicating. Cluster furniture, use area rugs, privacy screens, and focused lighting, or even create small vignettes with holiday decor to transition between zones. A couple of cozy chairs and poufs around the tree or a loveseat and rocking chair around the fireplace make great, cozy nooks for guests to gather out of the way of thoroughfares.<\/em> Convert A Flex Room to A Guest Room<\/strong><\/p>\n Many new builds feature a flex room, and the holidays are a perfect time to test this space\u2019s versatility, by converting it to accommodate overnight guests.<\/p>\n \u2022 \u201cClearing out the clutter so your guests don\u2019t feel like they are staying in a storage area is a great idea,\u201d says designer Sharon Sherman, founder and owner of Thyme and Place Design. She suggests taking a visual inventory and removing anything non-essential.<\/em> Sherman also suggests these thoughtful touches to enhance guest comfort in the flex room :<\/p>\n \u2022 Place a small side or dining chair with a festive slipcover added. Sherman notes that guests don\u2019t always want to sit on the bed.<\/em>
\n\u2022 Use table linens and runners that are decorative for parties while softening hard surfaces.<\/em>
\n\u2022 Incorporate cozy throws and plush pillows, which add visual and tactile texture.<\/em>
\n\u2022 Introduce natural materials such as stone, wood, bamboo, and rattan to add organic softness.<\/em>
\n\u2022 Layer patterns in addition to materials, which will add dimension and warmth to any room.<\/em>
\n\u2022 Lighting should be layered, including a mix of task, ambient, and decorative lighting.<\/em>
\n\u2022 The holidays are the perfect time for festive twinkle lights and candles. LED candles are safer, practical, and decorative.<\/em><\/p>\n
\n\u2022 Landscaping may not be completed yet, so add your own greenery with festive planters.<\/em>
\n\u2022 Parking might be an issue, especially if you are hosting a large crowd. Research and designate parking areas for your guests before they arrive. It\u2019s worth talking to your builder as well, who might be willing to move equipment or other items temporarily to make parking easier at your new home.<\/em>
\n\u2022 If sidewalks aren\u2019t poured yet, let guests know so they can wear appropriate footwear.<\/em><\/p>\n
\n\u2022 Avoid traffic jams in the kitchen by placing self-serve drinks and hors d\u2019 oeuvre stations on the perimeter of the room.<\/em>
\n\u2022 For overnight guests, arrange a self-serve coffee bar, so they can help themselves in the morning.<\/em>
\n\u2022 Invest in movable furniture, such as poufs, modular sofas, and ottomans that can be re-arranged to accommodate a crowd.<\/em>
\n\u2022 Ensure pathways out of the open-concept areas are clear, especially to the bathrooms.<\/em>
\n\u2022 Cut down or eliminate clutter to keep paths and surfaces clear.<\/em>
\n\u2022 If your home isn\u2019t fully finished or furnished, open spaces and empty walls can echo and feel less inviting. Add sound-absorbing pieces, even if they are only temporary, such as rugs, upholstered furniture, and artwork, to soften the acoustics and warm up the space.<\/em><\/p>\n
\n\u2022 Make sure there is room for guests to store their belongings easily, which might mean clearing space in the closet or emptying drawers in a dresser. A handy addition is a folding luggage rack or a folding clothes rack. If you can\u2019t clear out the closet, add an over-the-door hook for guests to hang items.<\/em>
\n\u2022 Furnish the space intentionally, to suit guests easily, and accommodate your year-round needs, with a pull-out sofa or even a Murphy bed that converts to a desk.<\/em>
\n\u2022 Lighting is often task-oriented in flex rooms, typically with an overhead fixture. Invest in side tables with table lamps, or a floor lamp near the bed, so your guest can read comfortably without getting out of bed to turn the light on or off. Better yet, use smart lighting connected to a smart speaker so your guests can simply say, \u201clights off\u201d without getting out of bed.<\/em><\/p>\n
\nAdd a soft area rug, for softness underfoot when guests take off shoes<\/em>
\n\u2022 Using an inflatable bed? Plush bedding and cozy throws will elevate the experience.<\/em>
\n\u2022 Add a small framed card or hang a bulletin board with handy info such as your wifi login and how to operate smart features. If you have a security system, ensure your guests know how to arm and disarm it \u2013 no one wants to call the police trying to get a forgotten item from the car!<\/em><\/p>\n