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Christmas is coming - and now is the time to get your home guest ready with our top tips for hosting in style

Published: 12:09 EST, 20 November 2015 | Updated: 12:13 EST, 20 November 2015

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The festive season will ring in many house guests — invited or otherwise. With Christmas only five weeks away, here’s our guide for being guest-ready this year:

Toasty: Nothing beats a welcoming, candlelit fireplace which your guests can snuggle around

SOFA SURFING

Now is the time to consider updating your sitting room with a sofa bed (far more comfortable than the dreaded airbed). Just don’t leave it too late. At John Lewis, the last order date for pre-Christmas delivery for made-to-measure has passed but, as long as stock is in the warehouse, you have until December 16 to make your pick.

At M&S, the last order date for stocked products is December 17. The Frida sofa bed comes in four colours at £729, marksandspencer.com.

DINE IN STYLE

Everyone wants to be seated comfortably for the epic feasting that typifies a Christmas lunch or dinner.

Extending tables can be a clever solution for those who don’t want to take up too much space day-to-day. Extra chairs can be used as occasional seating around the house.

Top table: Make sure that there is plenty of room around your table and that everyone has a comfy seat

Be mindful of delivery deadlines. At Oka, you need to order before December 6 if you live outside the M25. Those inside the M25 have until December 20.

The Charlotte extending table costs £1,450 and Echo high back dining chairs are £165 each — there’s a saving of £216 if you buy four, okadirect.com.

HANGING OFFENCE

Surfaces are at a premium when guests pile up with luggage. Invest in a suitcase rack so cases or bags won’t clutter the floor.

Joanna Thornhill, an interiors stylist and writer, says: ‘It’s a space saver. Alternatively, use a clothes rail such as the stylish Brooklyn at John Lewis (£120, johnlewis.com). Stock it with hangers, too. Zara Home has lovely linen ones (£9.99, zarahome.com).’

Comfort and joy: Investing in a sofa bed is sensible for those who don't have heaps of spare rooms, this one, the Otto, by www.sofa.com costs from £1690

LIGHTEN UP

If you normally rely on a main ceiling light in your guest rooms, that won’t be much good for bedtime reading. Buy a smaller lamp or desk light that can be turned off from the bed.

A set of two Lucy touch lamps from John Lewis only cost £25, johnlewis.com.

LOOK THE PART

Your guests will want to admire their specially chosen outfits for drinks parties and Christmas Day. So make sure you have a decent full-length mirror handy.

Try the dark grey Oxford Cheval mirror from Debenhams (on sale at £156, debenhams.com).

PAMPER GUESTS

The bathroom will be one of the most heavily-trodden spots in your home while you have guests. Make visitors feel spoiled with fluffy new towels. They don’t have to cost the earth. A bale from BHS is £19.99 (bhs.co.uk).

KEEP THINGS NEAT

Ensure spare rooms are clutter-free. Storage bags will be invaluable for keeping the bedroom clear. Make sure you clear some space in drawers for your guests. An Easi-Vac six-piece bag storage set costs £7.49 from Argos, argos.co.uk.

GET IN THE SPIRIT

Splash out on some festive luxury. A drinks trolley is a fun way to serve cocktails. West Elm has a terrace bar cart for £349, westelm.co.uk.