How You Can Create a Cozy Holiday Home

By Sammi Foss Getting ready for the holiday season can be a stressful time. Between full schedules, unannounced family visits and running around shopping for gifts, it can seem like there’s never enough time to do everything you need to. So, we wanted to make decorating your home for the holidays just a little less hectic. With our helpful infographic, you’ll find everything you need to make decorating this year seem effortless.

What will your holiday décor be like?

When planning out the décor you’d like to use for the holidays, it might help to think about the season. For example, Thanksgiving is during the fall, so when deciding on dining room décor, play on the changing colors of leaves, evergreen foliage, branches and berries. Typically, your main focal point in your dining room will be the centerpiece on the dining room table. Highlighting it with these natural elements will create a cozy rustic feel. Other important elements you should think about before transitioning from year-round décor to holiday decorations, is the color scheme you want to stick with throughout your home. You’ll also want to decide if you want to go with a traditional or trendy look. The holidays are all about planning. Once you decide on these few things finding the right pieces will be a breeze.

Decide on a Focal Point

You’ll want to pick a focal point in each room that draws your friends and family’s attention to that spot. Could a space like your mantel or dining room table be the focal point? Once you’ve decided on the spot, you can focus on smaller décor that help accent your main focal point. By picking a focal point in each room and working outward, you’re creating a well decorated space that won’t overwhelm your guests. For example, the living room is a vital room during the holidays. Between family gatherings, game nights and Christmas morning, you want to make sure you’re highlighting the most important parts of this room. One of our favorite parts of the living room is the fireplace mantel, you can highlight this by stacking books underneath a basket to add texture and then fill the basket with pinecones or autumn leaves and drape greenery along the sides to create that perfect holiday look. Use the mantel as your centerpiece and then add smaller details around the room such as throw blankets and accent pillows. By choosing one focal point in each room you’ll be sure to not overly decorate and drown your family and friends in excessive décor.

Choose a Cohesive Color Palette

Choosing a cohesive color palette goes hand-in-hand with deciding the look you want to go for when creating your cozy holiday home. If you want to try a trendy look this year, try mixing in metallics throughout the rooms in your home. These golden tones will add a pop of color and a touch of luxury to your home this season. If you’re going for a more traditional look, then try using colors of the season such as oranges, reds and greens. Add these warm colors to your kitchen by placing a bowl of apples and oranges on your kitchen island. Another great way to incorporate your color palette is by draping a deep red throw over your couch and adding warm colored accent pillows. This will definitely create a welcoming space everyone can enjoy.

Create a Cozy Outdoor Space

Outdoor space is typically overlooked when decorating for the holidays, but it can be as easy as adding just a few touches that help you create a cozy space to enjoy this season.  Whether it’s your front porch or back deck, spice up your outdoor area this holiday season with wool blankets, woven baskets and foliage. Sweep up those autumn leaves and freshen up your front door by hanging a bright berried wreath. Or, you could place a few steel containers around your porch and fill them with foliage, squash and pumpkins. Gather chairs around your outdoor firepit and drape wool blankets on the backs to enjoy cool fall nights. As you can see, just a few small touches can create a cozy outdoor environment that’s inviting to your family and guests all holiday season. If you love what you’re reading and want more décor ideas and tips, check out our 7 Tips for Creating a Cozy Holiday Home infographic. In this infographic, you’ll learn about various décor trends and the tips we’ve gathered to make decorating a little easier for each vital room. On top of décor ideas and tips, we also offer insider knowledge from an experienced interior designer that you can apply year-round! Download it here.