DESIGN ELEVATIONS: HOLIDAY
Expert design advice, visionary design wisdom, pro-tips for a beautiful and stylish holiday season from fall to new year!
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Tips for Creating a
Holiday Decor Theme
1. Analyze Your Home's Existing Style
The first step is to identify the core design language of your home or space. Is your home a cozy rustic farmhouse, a sleek modern condo, a traditional colonial, or perhaps an eclectic bohemian mix?
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Rustic/Farmhouse: Focus on natural elements like wood, burlap, evergreen boughs, and simple, cozy mood lighting and candles.
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Modern/Minimalist: Opt for a refined, clean and edited look with metallic accents, geometric shapes, and a minimal color palette.
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Traditional: Embrace classic reds and greens, rich velvets, abundant garland, and formal displays.
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Bohemian/Eclectic: Feel free to mix vintage ornaments, colorful textiles, and unique, global-inspired decorations.
Understanding your style prevents a design clash and ensures your holiday decorations feel like they belong.
Above: cozy rustic farmhouse holiday decor
Below: modern & minimalist holiday decor
Above: traditional holiday decor
Below: bohemian & eclectic holiday decor
2. Borrow from Your Home's Color Palette
The easiest way to integrate holiday decor is to extend your current color scheme.
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Neutral Interiors: Homes with a palette of gray, beige, and white are perfect canvases. Introduce elegant metallics (silver, gold, or champagne), icy blues, or deep forest greens for a sophisticated, subtle pop of color.
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Bold Interiors: If your home features bright colors, pull a complementary color from an existing piece of art or rug. Red accents can work beautifully in a room with deep blue walls, while turquoise or lime green accents can brighten a neutral space.
Sticking to 2-3 main colors for your holiday theme will create a cohesive look that flows seamlessly from room to room.
3. Choose a Unifying Theme
A theme acts as a guiding principle for all your decorating choices, from the tree to the mantelpiece.
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Nature-Inspired: This universal theme works with almost any home style. Use pinecones, cranberries, fresh greenery, and dried citrus slices.
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Vintage Charm: Collect antique ornaments, mercury glass, and retro-inspired decor for a nostalgic feel.
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Winter Wonderland: Focus on whites, silvers, faux fur, and twinkling lights for a frosty, magical atmosphere.
Themes from right to left: Nature, Vintage (glam), Winter Wonderland, Vintage (moody), Designer
4. Focus on Cohesion
Ensure that the transition from one room to the next feels smooth. While themes might vary slightly (perhaps a formal dining room theme versus a cozy den theme), they should share a common element—like a specific metal finish or a shade of green—that ties the whole house together.
By aligning your holiday decor with your home's unique character, you create a festive environment that is effortlessly stylish, welcoming, and authentically "you."
5. Edit Your Space
Take a moment and review the space you are adding decor. Is this area getting too busy? Is there a disconnect with current decor? If there is, remove select “everyday” decor to simplify the space. Be selective and choose pieces that fit your established theme and color palette. For example, replace standard throw pillows with festive ones, or incorporate ornaments into everyday centerpieces and bookshelf displays. This layering technique helps blend the seasonal changes with your permanent home decor.
Themes from right to left: Classic, Luxe, Glam, Organic, Traditional
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Tips for Creating a Festive Holiday Tablescape
Set the foundation
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Choose a festive holiday color palette:
For Thanksgiving select warm seasonal colors like earthy browns, golden yellows, crimson reds, burnt oranges, and maybe even with pops of deep violet and merlot--think of the symphony of colors displayed by the autumn leaves this time of year.
Our pro tip is to keep the color palette classic and you can add a pops of nuance if you want to be creative. -
Add a base: Use a tablecloth or a table runner in a coordinating color or a neutral shade to ground the design.
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Consider layers: Add a charger plate or a place mat in a fall color or a contrasting texture to elevate the place settings.
Above: Thanksgiving tablescape design process-- mood board to finished product.
Below: Timeless holiday tablescape ideas
Create a centerpiece
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Go natural: Use a mix of Mother Nature's seasonal bounty like pumpkins, pinecones, decorative edibles like seasonal fruits and vegetable (apples, pears, pomegranates, artichokes, gourds, etc.), crystals, beeswax candles and foraged branches.
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Try a DIY arrangement: Create a floral centerpiece in a pumpkin or use a classic cornucopia filled with fruits and flowers. You can embellish with seasonal decor like deer, turkeys and Christmas ornaments, etc.
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Keep it simple: If a large centerpiece isn't your style, use a bowl of assorted seasonal fruits, decorative spheres, or candles on a runner.
Aesthetic ideas from right to left: Traditional, Eclectic, Classic, Organic, Rustic
Add festive details
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Elevate place settings: Use cloth napkins, creative napkin rings, and custom place cards to make each guest feel special.
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Mix and match: Pair simple white dinnerware with decorative dinnerware and elements like metallic pumpkins or seasonal accents-- contrast is key.
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Engage all 5 senses: Incorporate varied textures, seasonal scents, and ambient lighting with candles to create an immersive atmosphere.
Aesthetic ideas from right to left: Global, Monochromatic, Bohemian, Farmhouse
The finishing touches
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Ensure functionality: Make sure there is enough space for guests to eat comfortably. Whether you go maximalist or minimalist, ensure there is adequate spacing between place settings. Allow space for serving dishes approximately 24” from one plate to the other plate on the opposing side. And, allow 15-24” between side by side settings.
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Light it up: Remember lighting is an essential part of the design. Use candles to set a warm and magical ambiance.
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Aesthetic ideas from right to left: Vintage, Moody, Collected, Glam, Luxe
5 Tips for Preparing Your House for Hosting Guests for the Holidays
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Declutter key areas Clearing out unnecessary items and "hot spots" like countertops, entryways, and coffee tables will make your home feel more spacious and orderly. You can temporarily move clutter to a spare room or basement for storage to quickly neaten up your main living spaces.
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Deep clean high-traffic roomsInstead of doing a whole-house scrub, focus your energy on the areas where people gather most, such as the living room, kitchen, and bathrooms. Clean floors and carpets, wipe down surfaces, and make sure mirrors and fixtures are sparkling.
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Prepare for overnight guests If you are having guests stay over, make sure the guest room is clean and inviting. Provide fresh linens, extra blankets, and a few small comforts like a bedside lamp. In the bathroom, stock up on fresh towels and toiletries.
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Stock up on essentials Avoid last-minute stress by purchasing household necessities ahead of time. This includes items like toilet paper, paper towels, hand soap, and disinfectant wipes. Also, stock your pantry and fridge with baking supplies, snacks, drinks, and any cooking essentials you will need for holiday meals.
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Add a festive touch Incorporate cheerful decorations like garlands, wreaths, and seasonal pillows. Consider adding festive, seasonal scents with scented candles, a simmering pot of mulled cider, or fresh pine boughs.