You are probably standing in your living room right now, looking around at the bare walls, the plain coffee table and the corner where a Christmas tree should be.
Meanwhile, your phone keeps buzzing with photos from friends showing off their perfectly decorated homes. Your family group chat is discussing Christmas Day plans. And you? You haven't bought a single decoration.
Maybe you meant to start weeks ago. Perhaps work swallowed every weekend. Whatever the reason: with about 48 hours until Christmas morning, and your living room looks like any other Tuesday in November.
Take a breath. You're not alone, and you're definitely not too late. With a few hours until December 25, Idi Mureithi, an event planner at Dicemind Events, shares with BD Life how to create a festive living room without the stress or the hefty price tag.
"This is the exact moment when most people either panic-buy everything in sight or give up completely," says Idi, who has seen this scenario play out countless times. "But here's what they don't know: you can transform your living room in just five hours of actual work.”
"But five hours of decorating spread across 48 hours means you're only using about 10 percent of your available time. The rest is for shopping, thinking, adjusting, and yes, sleeping."
The strategy, Idi says, is simple: focus on one room. “Your living room is the heart of Christmas celebrations, where memories are made. It is where the family gathers, and guests spend most of their time. Forget the bedrooms; ignore the kitchen,” he says.
That empty corner will have a tree by tomorrow evening. That coffee table will be the centrepiece that everyone photographs.
“This isn't about perfection; it's about creating a space where Christmas can happen, where your family feels the warmth, and where you finally exhale knowing you pulled it off,” says Idi.
Where to shop
The landscape of Christmas shopping in Nairobi has changed dramatically. Artificial décor is now remarkably accessible in nearby shopping hubs.
"For last-minute decorating, artificial décor is the quickest choice," says Idi. Ready-made bling trees and pre-decorated Christmas trees are now available—you unbox, set up and you're done in under an hour. Add ready-made wreaths, plug-and-play lighting, and wrapped decorative boxes, and your core décor is complete.
Your living room budget
Starting from scratch on a tight budget? Use empty boxes from supermarkets, buy wrapping paper from major retail outlets or downtown shops, and get ribbons from River Road. Ready-made ribbons range from Sh10 to Sh100. Wrapping paper costs about Sh60 per sheet in major stores, or Sh15 to Sh20 downtown.
With Sh10,000 to Sh15,000, Idi says you can comfortably put together a Christmas tree and complete living room décor.
“Focus on four key focal points: the main wall or TV area, the coffee table, one corner for a tree, and the entrance into the room,” he says.
"These are the spots that define the space and where people's eyes naturally go."
Small touches create significant impact, like glass bowls filled with Christmas balls on the coffee table, greenery around TV frames, or festive cushions on the sofa. These items are available for under Sh5,000.
"A simple coffee table centrepiece takes under 15 minutes," Idi notes. "The key is creating visual interest at different heights—something on the table, something on the wall, and your tree standing tall in the corner."
Three fatal mistakes
Even with a modest budget and a clear plan, many people still sabotage their own efforts. According to Idi, last-minute decorators commonly make three critical errors that turn a simple project into a stressful ordeal.
The first mistake is comparison shopping. “You may have a clear plan and budget, but once you see what others, especially malls or neighbours, have done, you start doubting your choices and changing things at the last minute. This often leads to overspending and losing focus,” he warns.
The second pitfall is failing to stick to a single idea. While having a budget is important, Idi suggests setting aside a small amount for miscellaneous items.
The third, and perhaps most damaging mistake, is decorating without a clear plan. “Some people don't know what they want, while others think they know but don't,” says Idi. “Inspiration can come from social media or visiting other spaces, but remember that every home is different.”
Avoiding these mistakes starts with understanding your specific living room. Decluttering is the crucial first step. “Clearing unnecessary items allows the décor to stand out and prevents the area from feeling overcrowded.”
Once your space is clear, look around for items you already own that can be transformed. “Decorative bowls on coffee tables can be refreshed with Christmas baubles or greenery. Artificial plants near TV stands can be swapped for festive greenery," he suggests.
Throw pillows offer another quick win. "If you have neutral cushions, you can buy inexpensive festive cushion covers from downtown for as little as Sh200 each. Suddenly, your sofa looks completely different," Idi notes.
Now for the practical part. With two full days ahead of you, here's how to turn theory into reality.
Day 1 (First 24 hours): Shopping and setup
Hours 1-2 (Morning): Head to your nearest shopping hub. Your living room shopping list should include a ready-made tree, string lights, a few wrapped boxes or wrapping materials, greenery or garlands, Christmas balls or baubles, and one statement piece like a wreath or large ornament.
Hours 3-5 (Afternoon): Set up your tree in the chosen corner—this takes under an hour with ready-made options. Arrange your lights around the TV area or main wall. Wrap decorative boxes and position them under the tree or on side tables.
A collection of low-budget Christmas decorations that can transform a living room at the last minute.
Photo credit: Shutterstock
Evening: Step back and assess. Your living room is now 80 percent complete.
Day 2 (Final 24 hours): Final touches
Hours 1-2 (Morning): Add any missing elements—festive cushions, throw blankets in Christmas colours, or small decorative pieces you might have picked up. Adjust lighting to ensure it works both day and night.
"This is when that small miscellaneous budget comes in handy," Idi notes. "You might spot something that adds the perfect finishing touch."
Afternoon: Declutter around your decorated areas.
By Christmas eve, your living room is complete, and you still have Christmas Day morning to enjoy it before anyone arrives. It's time to stop reading and start creating.
Even curtains can play a role. Adding a simple garland above your curtain rod or weaving fairy lights through the fabric creates an instant festive frame for your living room windows.
Idi advises that as you plan your décor, you should consider how it will look throughout the day.
“Lighting alone mostly works at night, while greenery and ornaments shine during the day. That's why malls often focus on lighting outdoors and combine décor and lighting indoors. One cannot replace the other,” he explains.
As you choose your decorations, Idi offers a thought-provoking insight about authenticity. Perhaps, Idi's most important message concerns the disconnect between traditional Western Christmas imagery and African realities.
"Why are you decorating? Is it tradition, atmosphere, or pressure?" he asks. "In Africa especially, blindly copying snowy, winter-themed décor from Europe often feels disconnected."
Instead, he advocates for incorporating local elements. Maasai-inspired ribbons, woven materials, or traditional artefacts create a more meaningful and authentic festive feel.
With all this advice in mind, Idi distils everything into one essential principle. After years of transforming homes for Christmas, he has a simple philosophy: less is more.
“Over-decorating usually comes from panic buying and fear of not doing enough,” he says. “Buy intentionally, decorate key focal points, and avoid filling every corner.”
