Well, we’re close, folks! Thanksgiving is just over a week away, and I want to make sure you stop by on Friday for TONS of resources to help you out with your plans for the big day! But, since we’re pretty close to another holiday soon after, I wanted to whet your appetite for a little bit of Christmas, too! So when Marie Nieves contacted me and asked if she could share some tips on prepping your home for Christmas, well, that was just perfect! So, here she is!
Ho ho ho! Christmas is getting seriously close – are you ready for it? I don’t mean getting your holiday groove on – is your HOME jolly enough for this jolly occasion? You don’t want to disappoint Santa when he walks in for his milk and cookies! It is about time to decorate your home for the holiday, and that venture should go way beyond simply decorating the Christmas tree, while not crossing the line of over-the-top holiday kitsch. Instead of mixing all the sparkly things together, for years back, I have two basic colour palettes for Christmas which I never combine: blue-silver and gold-red. Here are my tips to make your home welcoming this holiday season.
Holiday Cleaning
This is just like spring cleaning with an extra dash of joy. There is no need for emptying the closets and rearranging the clothes. Just make sure you clean the carpets and the floors, to give them a fresh look. If you have the opportunity, try to give the walls a new coat of paint, just what it takes to go into the next year as new. Opt for some winter colours, such as white, silvery grey or powdery blue.
Updating the Furniture
Of course, there is no need for purchasing whole new furniture. It will be enough to breath in new life into your old pieces. You can do that by painting the wooden and metal pieces, or even intentionally wearing out wooden items to give them vintage and rustic appeal. Covering the couches and chairs with bright red/silver/blue covers will add lifelines into your home. For an extra holiday cheer, add cushions with winter and holiday ornaments (snowflakes, snowman, Santa Claus, golden or silver details, etc.)
Joyfully Accessorizing
To keep it toned-down, but still joyful, you can keep the furniture and walls decoration to minimum, while adding some extra colour and sparkle with accessories. For instance, I have recently covered my staircase with red runner rugs and railings with green garlands decorated with red and gold bows. You can step up the game with decorative curtains with gold/silver bows, and equally astonishing chandeliers, or similar pieces.
A Dash of Christmas in Every Room
Christmas in the bathroom? Why not? I love to put, if just an air freshener that smells like Christmas (pine tree, chocolate, chestnuts, cinnamon, etc.) and holiday-inspired hand towels. Dress up the fireplace mantle in the living room with stockings or statues of Santa (do not do both, if you do not want to go overboard). Put scented candles into your bedroom and guest bedrooms. Sparkly placemats will bring the holiday cheer right into your kitchen. The important thing is to put something that reminds you of Christmas in every room.
Decorating the Outdoor
This is the part everyone gets excited for. Still, try not to make it too sparkly. You want your house to seem welcoming, not blinding. A couple of rows of neutral colour light bulbs, green garlands at the porch and the door, and one blow up Santa or Snowman will be enough.
I hope these tips will help you to spend a merry and stylish Christmas!
About the author
Marie Nieves is a student and a blogger who loves unusual trips, gadgets and creative ideas. On her travels she likes to read poetry and prose and to surf the Internet. Her favourite writer is Tracy Chevalier and she always carries one of her books in her bag. Marie loves to share her experiences and talk about practical solutions. She is an avid lover of photography interested in interior and exterior design and regular author on Smooth Decorator. You can find Marie on Facebook or follow her on Twitter and G+.
Thank you so much, Marie! I don’t know about you, but I’m totally inspired! Did you get some good ideas for your home, too?
Due to the amount of comments from all of my wonderful readers, it is not always possible for me to respond to each one. However, I absolutely do read them all, and if you’d like to address something specific, or have a question for me, please don’t hesitate to email me at Kristen@theroadtodomestication.com. I will respond to your email as soon as possible! Thank you for visiting the blog!
Those are some great ideas. I have yet to decorate my house for Christmas but I might have to take a few of these ideas for my own.
I am very glad to hear that. If you have some suggestions or advices feel free to give me a shout. 🙂
When it comes to decorating for Christmas, we go ALL OUT. There is no such thing as too much 🙂
I totally agree with you Robin. ˇ_ˇ
It’s about time for us to start decorating for Christmas! Thanks for sharing these tips, they’ll definitely help me out!
I am very glad to hear that Pam. Christmas is my favorite holiday and I really love to write about it.
I love these ideas. I can’t wait to get started on my decor.
Thank you Heather, we are looking forward to read about your decorating tips.
Thanks for sharing these tips. I was looking to do something new and extra Christmasy this year.
You are welcome Paula. I like your DIY Christmas Ornaments list, thanks for sharing those ideas. 🙂
These are wonderful ideas. I’m putting up my decorations this weekend.
Thank you, I’m glad that you liked it.
These are great tips. I’d love to add a touch of holiday spirit to each room. I’m so used to only decorating the family room and the outside of the house.
Thank you Liz. I can’t wait to read about your decorating tips. :))
Nice tips. I just love this time of year. Everything is so cheerful and happy.
I totally agree with you Lilith. Christmas is my favorite holiday. :))
I can’t wait to start decorating for Christmas. Such a fun time of the year.
My favourite time of the year, I agree with you Amber. 🙂
We decorate after Thanksgiving and I can’t wait. It is going to be so much fun and I love to see the decorations for the holidays!
You’re right Valerie, the funniest part of Christmas is decorating. And opening all those gifts. 😉
These are great ideas. When decorating for Christmas, we like to clean and reorganize.
Thank you for your advice Dawn, I should definitely write an article about cleaning and organizing before decorating.
I love the dash of Christmas in every room and I am never able to achieve that. This year that is going to be my goal. Thanks for these great tips.
Thank you Pam, I hope that you will be able to achieve that goal this year. Cheers!
This is perfect, next week I’m going to decorate my house, this is gonna be fun.
Thanks Onica. I just said Valerie up there: the funniest part of Christmas is decorating. Enjoy!
Thank you for the reminder. We will put up our tree on the first day of Advent. I am on the look out for newer, more brighter designs.
You are welcome Annemarie. I cannot wait to read about your decorating tips. 🙂
Oh my, time is flying! Christmas is almost here. Your house looks beautiful. I’m so excited to decorate my house 🙂
I was so excited too! I would like to have another house to decorate now. 😀
I always decorate at the last minute but I really should make an effort earlier. I love the garland on the bannister. What a nice touch.
Thank you Ann. I hope that I have stimulated you to start with decorating earlier this year.
I love all the tips that you have shared. I really adore the Joy sign above the fireplace, I wonder where I could find one here in Ontario.
Maybe you can make your own with Styrofoam? Something like this? 😉
https://www.pinkwhen.com/how-to-make-a-marquee-sign-with-styrofoam/2/
These are some great tips for holiday decorating. I love having the house all festive for Christmas.
Thanks for the kind words. I really looove this time of year.
So many great ideas! So far we’ve only put a few Christmas lights outside. We should be doing the tree sometime next week.
I’m glad that you liked it. If you have some suggestions or advices feel free to give me a shout.
I have always wanted a banister to decorate during the holidays! My new house we are having built will have a grand staircase!
That’s great to hear! I really enjoy decorating my staircase.
Hey, Kristen! Just wanted to let you know that we loved your Decorating Tips To Spruce Up You Home For Christmas so much when you shared it at the #HomeMattersParty last week, we’ve FEATURED it THIS WEEK! Hope you can check it out when you get a sec! Happy Friday!!! https://lifewithlorelai.com/2015/12/03/home-matters-linky-party-65/
~Lorelai
Life With Lorelai / Home Matters Linky Party
Your home looks so festive! I am still slowly getting my decorations up.
Thanks for linking up to Home Matters Party. #HomeMattersParty https://cu-rio.net/home-matters-linky-party-65/ and congratulations on the feature!
I love these! How beautiful, rustic and creative! I love adding plants, flowers, I have my kids make artwork and I hang it up, I buy candles, vases and place trays with home-baked cookies and other goodies. In the last two weeks, we painted the kitchen a darker gray, we put up shelves to display our Christmas decorations, and other artwork and I have also hanged good-quality curtains and drapes for a dramatic feel. Next year, I’m hiring a pro to decorate my home1 for Christmas! 🙂