As we look to the festive season and then to the New Year, it's a natural time for reflection and resolutions. Perhaps among your aspirations for 2024 is the desire to create a positive change, and what better way to achieve that than by exploring the idea of a new home?

The holiday season often sheds light on aspects of our current homes that may no longer align with our needs and desires or what we really want. Are you feeling a bit too distanced from loved ones? Did the holiday break expose the inconvenience of traveling to supermarkets and shops? Or did you find your space challenged when hosting a growing family? If any of these questions resonate with you, the beginning of the year might be a good time for a change.

Here are some great reasons why considering a move in in 2024 could be the perfect start to your year:

1. A Fresh Start to the Year: Moving in January not only allows you to swiftly check off one of your New Year's resolutions but also sets the stage for creating new memories in a new home. Plus, the early move sets you up for an effortless spring cleaning when the time comes!

2. Quieter Social Scene: January tends to be a quieter month socially, providing you with the perfect opportunity to use your free time wisely. Utilize this time to explore properties, declutter, and efficiently pack your belongings.

3. Less Market Competition: With fewer homes typically on the market in January, there's less competition for sellers. Limited choices for buyers often result in obtaining the best price from a buyer in the best position.

4. Summer Fun in Your New Home: While others are grappling with the summer chaos of moving, you can relax and enjoy the warm months in your new home. Consider yourself the perfect host for this year's summer BBQs!

If the idea of a January move sounds like something you might want to consider, then the team at Sawdye & Harris is here to lend a helping hand. With over 175 years of experience in selling homes in this area, we have the expertise to secure the best price for your home in the New Year!

Are you seeking expert advice on presenting your home for sale? Need guidance on decluttering and decorating? Eager to get a head start and launch your home to the market before the Spring rush?

Reach out to us at katie@sawdyeandharris.co.uk with the subject line 'New Year New Home,' and we'll be in touch to guide you through this exciting journey.

Cheers to a new chapter in 2024!

As we head into the festive season, sprinkle some extra magic in your home this year with these key Christmas trends for 2023.

1. Bring the outside in

Wreaths are an essential on any festive front door but this year, why not bring the Christmas spirit inside by using a wreath for your Christmas table centrepiece too? You can opt for a traditional wreath but if you prefer a glam look, choose a bauble wreath for a pop of colour to brighten up your Christmas table. Fill the inside of the wreath with large baubles for maximum effect or candles for atmosphere.

2. Double up

Just having one Christmas tree isn’t enough for everyone – 27% of people now have two Christmas trees: a main one for presents and a second ‘show tree’, according to the John Lewis 2023 Festive Traditions Tracker. This figure increases to four in 10 among those with children. So while the evergreen argument about whether a real or fake Christmas tree is best is still going strong – embracing this trend gives you the excuse to have the best of both worlds: a real tree in one room and a fake one in another.

3. Put on a show

It’s not just our interiors that are getting a festive makeover for 2023; 24% say decorating outside their house has become a new tradition, according to the retailer’s research. In fact, a total of 57% of households now decorate outdoors. The majority (72%) believe outdoor lights should be ‘tasteful’, with 18% opting for bright and bold decorations.

4. All the right feels

Christmas in 2023 is all about texture, from tree decorations made from glass, velvet, feathers, tassels and glitter to luxe touches of cashmere and faux fur finishes. The more textures, the merrier – the idea is to make someone admiring your display to want to reach out and touch!

5. Show off your personality

And as well as different textures, the hot trend for Christmas 2023 is decorating trees with unusual decorations. Sales of ‘quirky’ baubles like mushrooms and air fryers are up 43% compared to last year, according to John Lewis. They’ve also spotted a shift in people buying individual baubles rather than sets of them.  

6. Woodland vibes

Creating a frosted forest is a key Christmas trend for 2023, according to Homebase. To create a woodland theme, choose baubles in all shades of green, copper and white. Also, incorporate natural elements in your Christmas decorations too, this cuts back on waste, saves cash, looks fabulous – and smells great too. Add sprigs of holly and pinecones to your mantlepiece and use dried fruit like oranges on your Christmas tree.

7. Light it right

Set the perfect Christmas atmosphere by being creative with lighting. Add Christmas lanterns on your dinner table and to light up you garden and put tealights in pretty candleholders on your mantlepiece. And fairy lights aren’t just for your tree, think about where else you can add them. Can you wrap some around a bookcase or along kitchen shelves to add a festive glow?

8. Perfect on paper

A good sustainable option and with endless versatility, paper decorations are one of the major Christmas trends for 2023, whether it’s paper garlands and decorations – or even trees made from card. Plus, creating paper decorations is fun for crafters and great for kids to help with too.

9. Have a guaranteed white Christmas

We might not be able to control the weather so that we can wake up to a covering of white on Christmas morning, but that doesn’t stop you having a white Christmas theme indoors. Go for a luxurious and elegant vibe: think white candles, pristine white tablecloth, with a dinner service already laid. You won’t want to leave the table!