Is there anything more cheerful than holiday décor? Whether your style is minimalist chic, or you prefer to fully deck the halls, transform your home and embrace the spirit of the season with our holiday decorating tips.
Merry and Bright
Festive ornamentation always fills the house with extra merriment, but we want our homes to feel cozy the whole winter season. Thankfully, lots of Christmas decor can easily carry through the season. Adding texture is a simple way to do that. Change out your lightweight summer throws for chunky, cozy knit blankets draped on the sofa to add warmth. Embrace flannel and knit accent pillows in plaids, rich reds, greens, and golds to bring subtle pops of colour into a room.
Lucie Zima, owner of Zest for Living in Port Credit, knows that one of the most impactful ways to make your home welcoming and warm all season long, is with lighting. “Lighting—be it candles, lanterns, or small lights up Christmas trees make a room instantly feel cosy,” she advises. “The best place to add Christmas decor is in those areas that are most seen by your family members.” Since the fireplace is a natural gathering place for family and friends, swathing the mantle with LED or twinkle lights will draw people in.
The Holly and the Ivy
Adorning your home with greenery adds an organic element to yuletide design. With temperatures dropping we are less keen to venture outdoors, so consider bringing some greenery indoors or using faux foliage to create a holiday feel. Whether you prefer bright or simple rustic decoration, nothing feels quite as festive as the sight and woodsy smell of natural greenery in your home. Bouquets of twiggy branches, pine boughs, holly, and sprigs of mistletoe add to any vignette and are easily incorporated into your personal interior design. Faux greenery arrangements can give much the same effect and there are many realistic options available.
“I find adding greenery or a garland to the staircase railing is an immediate festive feeling without changing your everyday living area,” Lucie suggests, noting that these small additions are not expensive but add a lot to Christmas decor.
The aroma of greenery makes your home smell like Christmas, too. Adding an air purifier or simmering a pot with scents like fir, cinnamon, eucalyptus, or cedar are all reminiscent of a wintry walk through the woods.
For Auld Lang Syne
Family traditions are important, especially during the holidays. There is something about honoring those memories that give Christmas the perfect sentimental touch. Opening up the Christmas box year after year, and seeing familiar decorations brings a flood of happy memories. If you don’t have a collection to draw from, pick up a few vintage pieces that remind you of Christmases past, or with the intention of starting a new tradition. Weaving special ornaments through a garland is an easy way to showcase your keepsakes should you not want them on the tree.
Switching up your wall art is an almost effortless way to blend fresh and nostalgic. Simple winter prints, old family photos, or framed Christmas carols are neutral enough to incorporate into any design style. If you’d like to display kids’ artwork or a special family recipe card, consider modernizing them with a contemporary frame.
Setting the table is another area for elegant personal touch. Grandma’s wedding china may not suit your current taste but using her serving plates or creating a hot chocolate station with her tea service are an elegant nod to Christmases past. Similarly, displaying vintage brass candlesticks on the table add height and warmth while embracing traditional roots and memories.
By Kristen Psihogios
Local Links
Zest for Living
zestforliving.ca
Quaint and Paint
quaintandpaint.com
Casual Life
casualife.ca
