Beat the Christmas Rush: When to Order Furniture in NZ So Your Home Is Ready for the Holidays

Christmas in New Zealand is a summer gathering: long lunches, family who stay a few nights, the barbecue going and everyone spilling out onto the deck. It is also the moment many households realise the dining table is two seats short, or that there is nowhere for the cousins to sleep.

The weeks before Christmas are the busiest of the year for furniture retailers and freight companies alike, so the earlier you plan, the more choice you have and the less you leave to chance. Use this countdown to work through your list in the right order.

Step 1: Count your guests before you shop

Start with a simple headcount. How many people will sit down for Christmas lunch? How many will stay overnight? Will you eat inside, outside or both? Those three numbers tell you exactly what you need: the size of the table, the number of chairs and whether you need a guest bed. Then measure the room, the doorways and any stairs, so you know what will fit before you fall for anything.

Step 2: Order the dining table first (by mid-November)

The dining table is the centre of Christmas Day, and usually the largest piece on the list, so it should be ordered first. As a guide, allow about 600mm of table edge per person. A 2000mm rectangular or oval table seats eight comfortably, while a 1200mm round table suits four.

Leave around 900mm between the table edge and the nearest wall or furniture so guests can pull out their chairs, and remember that a table in a darker finish can make a large size feel lighter in the room. Not sure which shape suits your space? Our guide to round vs rectangular dining tables walks you through it.

Seats eight

Form Oval Dining Table — 2000mm

A two-metre table in black mango wood. At 200 x 100cm it seats eight comfortably and ten at a squeeze, with room down the centre for serving dishes. The black finish stops a table of this size from dominating the room, and the oval top softens its scale.

View the Form Table →

Softer lines

Alice Oval Dining Table

A substantial oval table with softly rounded edges, in a choice of Natural Oak or Black Oak veneer. The curved shape keeps everyone included in the conversation and makes it easier to squeeze in an extra chair on the day.

Explore Alice

Step 3: Sort the guest bed and extra seats (by late November)

Overnight guests need somewhere comfortable to sleep, and a sofa bed solves it without giving up a room to a spare bed all year. Look for a mechanism that is quick to open, a frame that feels sturdy and a seat that is comfortable as a sofa for the other 360 days.

For seating, stackable chairs are the host's best friend. Bring them out for Christmas lunch, use them on the deck all summer and stack them away when the crowd goes home.

For overnight guests

Shelby Roll-Out Sofa Bed

A compact two-seater that rolls out into a double bed. It has a sturdy iron frame, high-density foam cushions and a five-position reclining backrest, so it works as well for lounging as it does for guests.

View the Shelby →

Extra seats, easily stored

Africa Dining Chairs — Set of 4

Stackable, weather-resistant chairs made from 100% recycled plastic, with a 45cm dining seat height. Use them indoors or out on the day, then stack them away. Available in moss grey, black or white.

View the Chairs →

Step 4: Take Christmas outside

For many Kiwi families, the real Christmas table is on the deck. An outdoor dining setting turns a long summer lunch into the highlight of the day, and a drinks trolley keeps the cold drinks moving without endless trips to the fridge.

Outdoor settings are often the largest items to deliver, so treat them like the dining table and order early. For more ideas, read our guide to creating an outdoor living area.

The long lunch table

Cotto Outdoor Dining Table

A generous 220cm table with a hard-wearing tiled top in warm Burnt Sienna terracotta, on a UV-protected aluminium frame built for the New Zealand sun.

View Cotto →

Keep the drinks moving

Stormy Drinks Trolley

Two tiers of UV-protected aluminium on smooth castors. Roll it from the kitchen to the table or deck with drinks, glasses and dessert, and use it inside or out.

View the Trolley →

Step 5: Finish the room (by early December)

Once the large pieces are in place, finish the room. A rug under the dining table softens the echo of a full house and protects the floor from chairs being pushed back. A pendant light centres the table, a mirror bounces summer light into a dark hallway, and fresh cushions or a new throw make the lounge feel ready for guests. These smaller pieces are easier to deliver and quicker to choose, so they can come last.

Your Christmas furniture countdown

Frequently asked questions

When should I order furniture for Christmas in New Zealand?

Aim to order large pieces such as dining tables, sofas and outdoor settings by mid-November, and smaller items by early December. December is the busiest delivery period of the year, so ordering early gives you the most choice.

How many people does a 2-metre dining table seat?

A 2000mm dining table seats eight people comfortably, four along each side. Allow about 600mm of table edge per person and around 900mm of clearance behind each chair.

What is the best furniture for overnight guests?

A sofa bed gives guests a proper place to sleep without dedicating a room to a spare bed all year. Choose one that is comfortable as a sofa, quick to open and sized to fit your lounge.

Does Online8 deliver before Christmas?

Online8 delivers throughout New Zealand. Delivery times vary by product and region, so check that the piece is in stock and call 09 278 8881 to confirm timing to your area before you order.

The last word

A relaxed Christmas starts with a plan. Count your guests, measure your rooms, order the big pieces first and leave the finishing touches for December. Do that, and when the family arrives the only thing left to organise is the pavlova.