How to Get Your Home Ready for Christmas Entertaining
There is a particular kind of light that arrives in a Sydney home in early December, low and golden through the afternoon, and it’s worth building a room around before a single decoration goes up. Too many homes solve for privacy by keeping the blinds shut all afternoon, trading that light away just to stop the street or a close neighbour seeing in. A sheer curtain layered under a heavier drape solves both at once — holding your privacy without shutting the room down, so the same December light gets in without anyone getting a clear view.
1. Why Getting the Light Right Matters
The room that hosts Christmas needs preparation before it needs decoration.
- Softer light — low December sun without the glare that makes a table hard to sit at
- Clear sightlines — open paths to the table, kitchen and door for a bigger guest list
- Guest-ready feel — a room that reads as ready before anything is styled
Here’s how to get there without a scramble in the final week.
2. Ways to Prepare Your Home
None of these require a renovation, just the right order.
a. Sheer Curtains Layered Under Drapes
Does more of the work than most people expect.
- Holds daytime privacy from a busy street or close neighbour
- Doesn’t shut the room down or force blinds closed at four
- Lets December light in without table-level glare
b. Made-to-Measure Luxaflex® Curtains
Fitted to a Sydney window rather than a standard size.
- No gaps or puddling at the sides
- Linen and sheer options within a five-year warranty
- One free in-home measure removes the guesswork
c. Clearing Sightlines First
Matters as much as any product choice.
- Walk the house asking where people will actually stand and sit
- Open paths to the table, kitchen and door before styling anything
- Do this the week before guests arrive, not the day of
d. Pirouette® Shadings as an Alternative
Worth considering where a window needs more than a curtain alone.
- Soft curved vanes filter rather than block light
- Pairs well with a layered curtain in the same room
- Closes fully for evening privacy once guests have gone
3. Tips for Choosing
Small decisions make the difference between rushed and ready.
- Measure before you buy: avoid costly mistakes with a proper in-home measure.
- Layer sheer with heavier fabric: a stylish and functional combination for privacy and light together.
- Mount rods wider and higher: creates a sense of openness even in a modest dining room.
- Book before December: made-to-measure lead times fill up fast in the run-up to Christmas.
4. Trending Styles in Australia
Three looks show up again and again in Sydney homes right now.
- Earthy neutral linens: beige, olive and clay tones that complement natural December light.
- Lightweight sheers: flowing fabric that softens harsh sunlight without heaviness.
- Minimalist hardware: sleek rods and clips that add polish without competing with the fabric.
5. Making the Most of a Small Dining Room
Smart window treatments make a bigger impact in a smaller space.
- Mount curtain rods higher and wider than the window itself
- Choose light fabrics to keep the room feeling airy, not closed in
- Keep sightlines to the kitchen and door open rather than styling around furniture
The rooms that feel ready for Christmas are rarely the most decorated ones — they’re the ones where the light, the privacy and the space were sorted out first, quietly, well before the day itself.
Explore the range
- Custom Curtains — Linen and sheer, made to measure for Sydney windows.
- Pirouette® Shadings — Soft curved vanes that diffuse light without blocking the view.
Book a free in-home measure and quote at astyleofshade.com.au/contact-us/, or call 1300 347 967. A Style of Shade, 430–432 New South Head Road, Double Bay NSW 2028.