It is time to queue up the holiday playlist, put on an evergreen candle, and pull out all the holiday decor that has been “neatly” stored for the past 11 months. Adding holiday cheer to our homes is one way we celebrate the season and sprinkle all the good vibe reminders throughout our daily lives. In this post, we pull together our 12 days of Holiday Decorating Tips and hope it helps inspire some joy.
1. Add holiday touches where you spend the most time.
Bring some holiday joy to you! If you sit at a desk while working from home, add a little holiday whimsy where you will see it for hours out of the day. If your kids are e-learning, adding a few ornaments, a brush tree and redecorating a bulletin board can make this time of year a little more special.
Designer: Two Hands Interiors
2. Try a holiday color palette that blends with your home’s existing aesthetic.
There are no rules about holiday colors. If red and green don’t fall naturally into your home’s existing color palette, try another take on a holiday vibe. Here, Gretchen Black created a beautiful pastel holiday look that seamlessly coordinates with the existing wallpaper, artwork and rug.
Designer: Gretchen Black
Source: INSTAGRAM
Designer: Ginny Macdonald with Emily Henderson
Source: HOUSE BEAUTIFUL
This blue and gold spin on a holiday look takes the existing accent color and leverages it by adding sophisticated gold accents.
3. Spread the decor throughout your home by using smaller, tabletop trees.
With several table top trees, you can not only avoid rearranging furniture for one large tree, but the festive touches can carry throughout a variety of rooms. This tree is on a library side table and flows with the room’s existing decor.
Designer: Eddie Ross
Source: COUNTRY LIVING
Designer: Meme Hill
Source: MEME HILL BLOG
Here, a smaller tree holds a collection of glass, food related ornaments on a kitchen counter. Who says you can’t enjoy your breakfast, tree side? Conveniently, this tree also doubles as a night light in the evenings.
4. Use everyday objects to create holiday moments around your home.
Books, a wood bowl, some old vases and pinecones, paired with an aloe plant make for a natural, seasonal display.
Designer: Two Hands Interiors
Designer: Jennifer Griffin, Dimples and Tangles
Source: DIMPLES AND TANGLES HOME TOUR
A favorite bowl or vase can easily go from everyday decor to a special holiday touch by adding a poinsettia. This blue and white piece can live as part of the family room year round and get a pop of red all December long.
A teacup (or mustard pot, as shown here) can make a cute little home for a bottle brush tree. Nesting them together adds some whimsy and reuses cups in a new way. Vintage china that was passed down or picked up along the way can make an adorable display too.
Designer: Maria Marcusse
Source: MIDWEST LIVING
Designer: Laura, Inspiration for Moms
Source: INSPIRATION FOR MOMS
A tiered tray can have so many lives! It can hold just about anything and be updated for any holiday or gathering. Here, we love how the coffee cups are not only part of the decor, but also so functional. This could be used for a festive hot chocolate bar or an easy way to have mugs handy for holiday guests.
5. Use family heirlooms or collections in your decor.
Including the pieces that remind you of a beloved family member, a tradition or a special trip add a personal and sentimental touch to your holiday decor that is hard to rival. By including this Dala Horse that was her grandmothers, Lauren of Bless’er House recalls fond memories every time she passes her entry table.
Designer: Lauren, Bless’er House
Source: BLESS’ER HOUSE
Designer: Two Hands Interiors
Bryn's Grandmother received a Swedish Julen Rorstarand plate every year at Christmas for 25 years. Now, Bryn displays them with a wreath during the holiday season.
6. Treat yourself to a bedside holiday update.
It is easy to wake up with to-do list running through your mind, especially this time of year. By refreshing your nightstand, you can begin and end your day with a cheerful reminder of the fun parts of this season.
Designer: Susan, Saw Nail and Paint
Source: SAW NAIL AND PAINT
7. Consider asking for help.
The holidays can be a lot. And, if a gorgeous front step is on your list, but baking cookies, zoom happy hours or 1000 other things are higher on your list, consider enlisting the help of a professional to fill your planters. Here, a local Seasonal Container Gardener added her special touch to this traditional front step.
Designer: Dana Zitzka, Homegrown Container Company
Source: INSTAGRAM