You know that feeling just before guests arrive… the flurry of cushions being plumped, tables wiped, floors hovered “just one more time”? For families in Newmarket, the run-up to Christmas often brings more than just the usual tidy-up. More and more, we’re hearing the same quiet realisation:
“Maybe it’s time we sorted the floors properly.”
If your wood floors are starting to look tired, scratched, or faded, you’re not alone. Each year, around late October, we begin to see a familiar pattern: busy families deciding this is the year to do something about it, to get those floors sanded and refreshed in time for the holidays.
But why now? Why before guests arrive, and not afterwards when life calms down?
Let’s walk you through it.
“It’s the first thing people see…”
That’s what one family told us last November, as we arrived to sand their hallway and living room floor in central Newmarket. They weren’t hosting a huge party. Just family, a few friends, and their grown-up children coming home.
But that mattered.
The oak boards at the front of the house had seen years of dog paws, school shoes, and the occasional DIY mishap. What was once a warm amber tone had turned dull grey in places, with patches of worn finish by the door. They’d lived with it for years.
But with Christmas on the horizon, something shifted.
“I want the house to feel ready…not rushed,” they said. And that’s what sanding and restoring the floor gave them. A sense of calm, pride, and yes — that lovely moment when someone walks in and says: “Wow, the floor looks amazing.”
You can see some recent examples from local homes like theirs in our gallery of images.
It’s not just about looks… it’s about timing.
There’s a good reason families choose to do this before the holidays, rather than waiting until January.
The lead-up to Christmas is actually one of the smartest times to restore your floor. Why? Because you get to enjoy the result right away. And that “postponed until later” task stops lurking in the background.
We always try to schedule in a way that works around your family… school runs, work hours, or that last-minute Tesco run. And because we use modern dust-controlled equipment, there’s no dramatic upheaval or week-long drying time to worry about. You can learn more about our exact method on our Process page.
What most people are worried about
When families call us in the run-up to the holidays, they often ask the same things:
- Will it be messy?
Not with the right kit. Our sanding machines collect most of the dust at source. We protect your space properly. - Will the floor be dry in time?
Yes. We’ll always explain how long your finish needs to cure (usually 12–24 hours, depending on what’s chosen). - Can I still host people after it’s done?
Absolutely — in fact, that’s the point. Once cured, your floor will look incredible and stand up to the extra foot traffic that comes with hosting.
And if you’re someone who likes to keep things easy after the holidays, too, our Maintenance Plan can give your floor a longer life without stress.
A quick word about the finish… and why it matters
One thing we always talk through during a pre-holiday sanding is the type of finish. Some families with pets and kids prefer a matt lacquer (easy to clean and very durable). Others love the look of hard-wax oil for its natural feel underfoot.
What you choose affects how your floor feels under socks, boots, or little feet in pyjamas on Christmas morning. So we’ll help you pick something that fits your lifestyle… not just your aesthetic.
If you’d like a clear walkthrough of how our finish types compare, we explain this inside our Knowledge Centre.
A quieter job than you might expect
You won’t hear us crashing about with sledgehammers or dragging tools across the floor. The truth is, most of our work is methodical and calm. The sanding team moves steadily through your home, machine by machine, pass by pass… transforming tired timber into something beautiful again.
And if you’re the sort who likes to peek behind the scenes before saying yes, this short YouTube video of our floor sanding process gives you a quick, honest glimpse of how we work. No music, no sales talk. Just real people doing careful work.
So, should you do it now?
That depends.
If your floor is lightly worn and no one’s going to notice, you might wait until spring. But if you’ve been looking at it all year thinking “we should really do something about that”, then now might be the perfect moment.
Doing it now means:
- One less job hanging over you
- A stunning welcome for guests
- A more enjoyable home environment over the break
And if you’re thinking, “It sounds lovely, but do I really have time to organise this?”...just give us a message through our Contact page. No pressure. We can talk you through timings, costs, and whether it’s doable before the holidays. Sometimes a quick chat clears it all up.
Key Takeaways
- Pre-Christmas is a smart time for floor sanding — it lets you enjoy the result now, not “one day.”
- The entrance and lounge are high-impact areas — a refreshed floor changes the whole feel.
- Modern sanding is quiet, clean, and family-friendly — no huge mess or long downtime.
- Finish choice matters — especially with pets, kids, or holiday visitors.
- You don’t have to figure it all out alone — just ask, and we’ll walk you through it calmly.
Before we go…
A freshly sanded floor isn’t about impressing your guests… it’s about loving your space again. And if this is the year your family needs a calmer, cleaner, more beautiful home base for the season ahead, we’d be honoured to help.
We’re local, we’re trusted, and we know how much it matters to get it right.
You can read more about how we restore floors for homes like yours over at our parent site.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does floor sanding take before the holidays?
Most Newmarket homes take 1–2 days, depending on floor size. We always aim to complete on time for guests, and we’ll confirm timelines before starting.
Will my house be dusty after floor sanding?
No — our sanding equipment uses dust containment systems. We seal off areas carefully and leave your space tidy.
Can we walk on the floor straight after sanding?
Yes, once the final finish has dried. We’ll advise whether that’s 12 or 24 hours based on the product used.
What if I’m not sure which finish is best for my family?
That’s completely normal. We’ll talk you through Matt Lacquer vs. hard-wax oil and match it to your lifestyle.
Is there still time to book floor sanding before Christmas?
We book up quickly from early November, but it’s always worth checking. You can get in touch here.
