A formal living or dining room is the centrepiece of your home. - File

The Yuletide season is fast approaching and many of us will be surprised to learn that we have untouchable rooms in our homes that are perfect for entertaining during the holiday season. Yes, those formal rooms that are never used are our dining or living rooms, with those untouched furnishings that are off limits to all for most of the year.

Christmas is a time that comes with planning for the many events in the home. That includes cocktail parties for friends and business associates to the traditional Christmas dinner, all of which calls for the ultimate preparation. That is where your formal living and dining rooms play an important role in your Christmas entertaining and to also showcase your home. Once you decide to unwrap the furniture covering, decorate and actually use the rooms for their true purpose, they will come alive and reflect nothing less than the utmost in elegance and beauty.

appreciate the rooms

A formal living or dining room is the centrepiece of your home. A place to create an atmosphere of leisure and formality. In particular, in keeping with the festive seasons where the ultimate of giving and receiving can be shared and appreciated.

Now that you have discovered these beautiful rooms that you have been neglecting, you need to bring life to them. If your budget allows, you can call in a professional interior decorator or you can do it yourself.

Let's start with the basics: are you entertaining a few business associates or friends? That may determine the layout of the room as each event may determine seating arrangements. However, if you are inviting 20 or more people, the rooms may need to be re-arranged to create a formal setting that allows for the free flow of conversation and the flexibility of serving cocktails and hors d'oeuvres before transitioning to the more formal dining room table.

A room that is perfect for entertaining, especially at Christmas.

create a focal point

Transforming the room may require a fresh coat of paint, and do not wait until the last minute to notice that your furniture require cleaning, repolishing and reupholstering. The same attention must be given to window treatments, and if the existing ones can be cleaned do so, or invest in new tailored and elegant panels. In addition, give attention to that faded area rug and invest in a new one with colours that will help to create visual rhythm and pull the room together.

Create a focal point where the eyes can start from, to slowly take in the layout of the room. This could be that colourful artwork or that picturesque view from a window or balcony door.

Don't let your formal rooms be untouchable or off limits. Let them be the rooms to highlight this season. Entertaining in your formal rooms can provide one of the most welcoming ambience in your home. It will allow your guest to feel truly indulged and appreciated. It is there that you will be able to provide the most elegant entertainment with comfort and ease. In fact, your guests will leave feeling that they were truly pampered and special.

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