The holiday season is a time for joy, warmth, and celebration. It's also a time when your home becomes the center of festivities, making it essential to ensure it's ready to welcome guests and radiate holiday spirit. Here are some tips to help you prep your space for the holidays while staying true to your design aesthetic.
Making Space: Declutter and Simplify
Before diving into holiday decorating, start by decluttering your space. Take some time to evaluate your belongings and decide what no longer fits your style, your home, or what doesn't bring you joy. A clutter-free home provides a clean canvas for holiday decor (and just to be able to think!).
Begin with a room-by-room assessment. Be ruthless in your decluttering efforts, letting go of items that no longer serve a purpose or bring happiness. Donate, recycle, or discard as needed. A few tips for decluttering:
As the Minimalists say, if it costs less than $10 and can be replaced within 10 miles of your home, you can get rid of it.
Ask yourself if an item brings you joy. If it does, keep it even if it's not used that often. If not thank it for serving you and discard it.
Go room by or room or choose to declutter based on genre (Books, papers, clothes, etc.)
When making design updates in your home, keep storage spaces small to ensure that you aren't over "collecting." When you have limited space, you put more thought into your purchases.
When you do make purchases, choose quality over quantity. Invest in pieces that will last you years and find your color palette so that you can mix and match things. (This applies to your home decor and your closet!)
This step not only clears physical space but also creates a sense of mental clarity.
NOTE: Decluttering and simplifying doesn't mean becoming a minimalist. You can still keep your collections of things while creating space and organizing. Decluttering is about removing what no longer serves you and making space for that which will. This is a great time to donate things to your local goodwill or sell through consignment to make a little extra income during the holiday season.
Choosing the Right Decorations
Now that you've made space, it's time to choose holiday decorations that complement your design aesthetic without overwhelming your home. Consider the following tips:
Stick to a Theme
Select a holiday decorating theme that aligns with your existing decor. Whether it's a rustic, minimalist, or traditional theme, consistency in design elements can create a harmonious and pleasing atmosphere. Your theme could also just be a color palette of red and white to help you create a cohesive feel to your home.
Quality Over Quantity
Opt for quality decorations that stand out rather than overloading your space with numerous items. A few well-chosen, meaningful decor pieces can make a strong statement. One of our favorites is garland. Either getting it fresh to fill your home with that pine smell or investing in garland that looks real and layering it on mantels, banisters, and bookcases. Just by adding some fresh greenery to your home, it will start to feel more like the holidays and you don't need any more decorations than that if you want.
Personalize Your Decor
Incorporate personal touches, such as handmade ornaments or family heirlooms, to make your space feel inviting and special. These can add sentimental value to your holiday decor. At Form, we're always focused on telling your story in your home. These personal items are where your personality come out. Those silly golfer Santas that you collect, display them in a way that shows you are proud of them and allows your guests to start up conversations or get a good laugh.
Consider Proportions
Ensure that your decorations are proportionate to the size of your space. Oversized decorations may overwhelm a small room, while smaller spaces can benefit from smaller, more delicate ornaments. If you're not quite sure where to go, you can always schedule a consult for some designer insight when it comes to your decorations. (And what's great about this, is once you know where everything goes, you'll know where it goes next year too!)
Preparing for Guests
With the holidays often comes a parade of guests. It's essential to think about where you'll accommodate them comfortably:
Updating Your Guest Room
If you have a guest room, freshen it up with clean linens, extra pillows, and cozy blankets. Consider adding some festive touches, like holiday-themed bedding or a touch of greenery in there too.
Invest in an Air Mattress or Pull-Out Sofa
For homes without a dedicated guest room, investing in a high-quality air mattress or a comfortable pull-out sofa can be a game-changer. These versatile options ensure your guests have a comfortable place to sleep while saving space when not in use.
Create a Welcome Basket
Make your guests feel at home by providing a welcome basket with essentials like toiletries, towels, and a holiday treat. We love to fill reusable bottles with local lotions and soaps from Joy Fill for guests to feel extra special. Add a candle to the space to make it more cozy and create a sense of serenity. Some of our favorites come from Miller Lane just down the street from us. Of course, there plenty of local small businesses to find a sweet little gift or the perfect accessory for your space. Try these P.F. Reed Diffuser from Lady Jones or these hand lotions for our neighbors at Blush. Small gestures go a long way in making visitors feel comfortable.
By following these tips, you can transform your home into a holiday haven without sacrificing your design aesthetic. With a decluttered space, thoughtfully chosen decorations, and accommodations for guests, you'll be well-prepared to create cherished holiday memories in your beautifully designed home.
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