If you're hosting Christmas dinner this year, you've probably already thought about the food. Getting the dining room ready deserves a little time on your list, too, particularly if it currently doubles as your office or somewhere to dry the washing.

At Efurn, we know you want the room to look lovely, but you also need everyone to feel comfortable. We'd start with the table and the seating, then enjoy choosing the decorations once you know how much space you have.

Get the chairs out first

Before you buy anything, count your guests and get the chairs around the table. Include the children in your plans, even if they're unlikely to stay seated for long. You'll need room for their plates and drinks as well as yours.

You may find that the spare chair fits under the table perfectly until somebody actually sits on it. Give it a try with the other chairs occupied, if you can. The person at the end needs somewhere to put their knees, and you'll need to get past with the plates. It's much easier to move a piece of furniture now than when your guests are sitting down.

Is it time for a bigger table?

Perhaps you've been squeezing everyone around the same small table for years. Christmas might be the reason you finally replace it, although it's worth thinking about where you'll put it afterwards. A table for ten is quite a commitment if there are usually just two of you having breakfast.

Our dining room tables include extending designs, which are worth considering when your guest list varies. Check both sets of dimensions before choosing one. You'll live with the smaller size most of the time, but the extended table still needs to fit without blocking the door or trapping somebody against the wall.

If you already own one, get the extension out early. It may have been a year since you last used it, and Christmas morning is not the time to discover you've forgotten how the mechanism works.

Give your guests a comfortable seat

We all know how Christmas lunch can drift into an afternoon of chatting, chocolates and board games. Your guests could be in their seats for quite a while, so try the spare chairs yourself before you offer them to anyone else. The chairs don't have to match, but similar seat heights will help everyone sit comfortably at the table. A low bedroom chair can leave an adult feeling as though they're sitting at the children's table.

When you browse our dining room chairs, look at the measurements alongside the fabric and colour. Your favourite design might have arms that won't tuck beneath your table. Upholstery is appealing for a leisurely meal, though you'll want to check the care instructions if the same chairs will be used by children every day.

Make room for the serving dishes

You don't want to be holding a hot dish of roast potatoes while everyone moves the decorations around. Try the empty serving bowls on the table before you add anything decorative. They probably take up more room than you remember. A sideboard gives you somewhere to keep the pudding plates and spare cutlery until later.

If yours is covered with photographs and paperwork, clear enough space to use it properly. You can leave the drinks there, too, with a cloth or tray beneath the bottles to catch any drips. Find the gravy jug, the serving spoons and the bottle opener beforehand. You'll have enough to do without searching the drawers at the last minute.

Work with the decorations you have

Take a look at your crockery and the decorations you already own before choosing a colour scheme. You might have a set of patterned plates that only comes out at Christmas. Pick a colour from the pattern for your napkins, and you've already got something to work with.

If you love the look of wooden dining room tables, leave some of the surface showing. We like a narrow runner with individual placemats, so you can still see the grain. Keep the centrepiece low enough for everyone to see across it. A few small decorations are easier to shift when the food arrives than a large arrangement. Remember that the runner is decorative. You'll still need suitable protection beneath the hot serving dishes.

Bring some Christmas colour into the room itself as well. A bowl of baubles on the sideboard or a wreath on the wall leaves more of the table free for dinner.

The evening before

With the table laid, you can see whether anything is missing while there's still time to sort it out. Count the teaspoons as well as the knives and forks. They're easy to overlook until you're making coffee for everyone.

Try the lighting while you're there. If the overhead light feels harsh, a nearby lamp can help, although you'll still want enough light to eat comfortably. Battery candles are useful on a busy table where sleeves and napkins could catch an open flame.

For any pieces you need to replace, you can browse our dining room furniture collection or ask our team about the dimensions. Then put the crackers out, close the door if you can, and enjoy having one job finished before Christmas morning.