Decorating for a holiday is one of the most enjoyable times of any season. A beautifully accessorized home always starts with a plan. Do you want to reflect a tantalizing color theme? Is a glittering look what you’re after? Are visions of sugared fruits dancing in your head during the winter holidays?
Selecting an overall theme will give you the greatest impact. For example, one Christmas I chose ribbons and bows as my theme. Every wreath had multiple bows and ribbons of varying sizes. Each Christmas tree - I always decorate two - had it's own color and pattern theme. The family room tree was done up in reds, greens, and golds and I opted for plaid for the ribbons and bows. The lights and ball ornaments were the same three colors - it was stunning!
One of the best ways to decorate for the holidays is to remove everyday accessories and carefully store them in the same containers you store your decorations in. You’ll now have plenty of space to introduce holiday accents. Start with wall décor first – wreaths and sconces for instance. Don’t be afraid to replace artwork over fireplaces and buffets with wreaths that compliment the scheme you’ve planned. Replace smaller artwork groupings with mirrored sconces and glittered candles for a festive touch.
Candles are some of the most affordable and effective decorative accessories available. With the right touch, they can turn the most ordinary rooms into a magical wonderland. Ambiance is of the utmost importance when decorating for any holiday. A single candle emits a warm glow, while a grouping of lit candles can produce a sense of drama. Repetition of the same candle will add uniformity to a space. Clustering candles in varied sizes but like color creates a more formal feeling.
Consider the container as much as the candles: look beyond traditional candleholders. Platters, pedestals and clear vases are just a few ideas. Choose containers that repeat shapes and colors already found within your room or optimize a contrasting color or shape for more interest. Display a collection of similarly themed candleholders such as iron, silver or crystal for a formal look.
There are abundant options for filling in around your candle displays as well. Beads, marbles, rock salt, beans, dried fruit, stones, flowers and even buttons can be used. Scatter confetti or include twigs, leaves, or seasonal produce within your arrangement – but do not light the candles within this type of decor. Try mingling festive origami creatures, a collection of tin ornaments or miniature antique toys with your candles. Don’t limit your creativity, but do make sure you avoid fire hazards if you are going to light your candles and not just display them.
There are so many possibilities in accessorizing with candles. Be sure to experiment until you find a vignette you love for your space! Here are just a few other creative ideas to try:
*Intermingle glittered candles with solids and frosted candles within the same color family for a classic and elegant feel
*Try arranging different smaller-sized candles around a large pillar candle
*Interspace a hand-painted candle or two within your grouping
*Wrap coordinating ribbons around the candles in your arrangement
Bookcases, mantels, and shelving would be the next place to decorate. Place decorative objects first. Remember to group like items in odd numbers for greater impact. For instance, a collection of five nutcrackers should be together, or a series of beautifully colored gourds. Do you have hurricane candleholders? Switch the candles to fit the decorating plan. Books should be stacked or leaned, and can be grouped according to color or size for a neater presentation. Have fun with holiday bookends as well! Once the core accents are in place, add foliage to fill in and soften the look. Add colorful touches with ribbons or themed ornaments depending on your scheme.
Furniture will be the last area to spruce up. Tables and buffets need beautiful cloths, runners, and accessory groupings. Think of long and low for these flat surfaces, and add a bold accent color for a more dramatic effect. Depending on your existing upholstery fabrics, try festive pillows! Bath vanities can always use some holiday fun as well. Beds can be dressed with beautiful sheets, duvets, throws and pillow shams.
For families with young children, stuffed animals and unbreakable accessories are the best way to decorate. Baskets decorated with glittering ribbons can be filled with stuffed toys and books. Decorative doorknob rings can be made by children to add interest at their eye level, which helps keep their fingers off of accessories you might not want touched.
Whatever you decide, repeating it throughout your home will create a fantastic holiday look!