1. Think about a nondenominational color scheme
You don’t necessarily have to commit to traditional decorations. Even if you’re getting ready for the annual Christmas party, there are plenty of other seasonal palettes to choose from. Ricky Gonzalez, senior creative director for American Signature, says sprucing up a holiday home for guests of every denomination can be easy. “Let go of green, red, or blue. Instead, stick with bright golds—either matte or with sequins and sparkle and a touch of blush to elevate the season,” he says. You can also choose to swap in fewer references to Santa and instead use things like faux fur pillows, like this one in Big Bear Blush from VCF. This will keep a feeling of coziness front and center, he says. “Or throw some small inexpensive gold mirrors around your home to reflect the glitter, candles, and holiday lights.”
2. Maximize kitchen countertops
“Whether you like it or not, your kitchen will become the main zone your guests gather, so add a corner or side drinks cabinet,” says Sarah Bowen, London-based interior designer and cofounder of Spruce Up. If you’re tight on space, bring in a butcher’s trolley or a kitchen island to give your non-cooking guests a place to linger by, she says. Or create a pop-up bar with beloved yummies, says MJ Coyle, Indianapolis-based head designer for HGTV’s Good Bones. “Cocktails and charcuterie are great, but if you can add a guests’ favorite wine or cheese to the mix, that extra detail will be appreciated. One of my friend’s favorites, this time of year, is Oliver’s Apple Pie Wine, so I make sure to have it when she comes over.” To further personalize the pop-up bar, head to a local antique shop and find a set of unexpected glasses. “Vintage shops, like Midland Antiques in Indy, are a great place to find really unique statement pieces,” Coyle says. Art from a local artist is another fun way to start conversation around the bar.
3. Create a winter garland around the front door
One of the easiest ways to spruce up a holiday home aesthetic is to add a front door garland inspired by winter woods. “We used fresh magnolia, pine, fir, and pinecones to create this festive look,” says tastemaker Kat Jamieson New Canaan, Connecticut. “I opted out of doing bows or ornaments, and let the greenery really speak for itself.” No matter what winter holiday your guests might celebrate, this garland will feel inviting, and it can help transition your home from Thanksgiving to New Year’s, Jamieson points out. “This could easily stay up from September through January,” she says.
4. Update holiday decor essentials
Gingerbread houses will never go out of style, but you can surprise guests with a midcentury-modern rendition of a holiday village. Brooklyn Berry Designs creates a tutorial for a whimsical paper village that will awaken even the most traditional mantel. When paired with DIY holiday light displays and unexpected stocking designs, you’ve got a solid foundation for a winter wonderland. Alternatively, you can literally turn Christmas design upside down with an inverted tree. Regardless of your preferred aesthetic, don’t be afraid to swap out items you no longer use. “When putting out your decor for the season, if there is anything left in the bins you couldn’t find a spot for, then donate the items immediately,” Eckerle says. This will help you narrow down what actually suites your style.
5. Switch up your houseplants
Houseplant aficionados might consider adding in new plants with a holiday vibe. The lemon cypress looks like a mini Christmas tree but with a citrusy fragrance. It only grows to three feet, so you can order a few and spread them around the house. Those with a penchant for tropical plants, add the Aglaonema red siam, which has red and green hues in its leaves, but in a subtle way. Clover leaf ivy is lovely to place in a location where it can trail down. If you love the classics, add a poinsettia, which isn’t actually a flower. The blooms are actually bracts, says horticulturist Megan McDugald at Gaylord Opryland Resort in Nashville. The colorful red leaves form on top of regular green foliage, she says. Although guests with pollen allergies are safe, some people may be sensitive to the sap and can experience a mild skin reaction, McDugald says. Play it safe by placing the plants atop shelves, not next to an arm chair.
6. Put away the kids’ items
Even though this probably goes without saying, guests will enjoy toy-free living spaces and dining rooms. At the same time, removing toys from all the main gathering spaces will make the children in attendance eager for gift exchanges you have planned, making these events even more fun. The pre-party cleanup is also an opportunity to give kids a chance to weed out what items are no longer in their play rotation. “Not only will you make room for new toys this way, but you can also donate gently-used toys to a child-centric donation center or children’s charity,” Eckerle notes. “I do a toy drive of donated toys for our state’s foster care program.”
7. Decorate the mantel
With a warm fire in the hearth, guests may choose to gather around the fireplace, so you will want to ensure this space is equally festive. “When styling a mantle, symmetry or balance is essential to achieving a focal point on your holiday mantel,” says designer Jill Croka of Jill Croka Designs in Tulsa, Oklahoma. She also recommends bringing in natural elements—seeded eucalyptus mixed in with olive greens, magnolia branches, and dried Amaranthus—for holiday styling to incorporate life, color, and a bit of warmth into the interior space. “Think flowers, greenery, woods, and other objects found in nature,” she says. Doing all this can make your displays cohesive, so it all flows together and does not look too out of character with what you might already have, she says.
8. Create a sense of warmth
The holidays are all about spending time with family and friends and creating a welcoming feeling. For many, this can mean plenty of holiday goodies to relish. “Adding a charcuterie board or bar area to your home around the holidays is the real MVP of the season,” MJ Coyle says. “It immediately makes your home feel warm and inviting.” But don’t worry if that’s not in your plans because there are other ways to convey the amicable vibe. According to Eckerle, if you are hosting overnight guests, considerer a welcome basket in their room with everything they’ll need “from forgotten toothbrushes to bath towels to phone chargers and even some Pepto or Tums.” You can even include a list of local holiday events and attractions to attend, she adds.
9. Use ornaments in unexpected ways
Of course ornaments can dangle from the tree, but using them throughout your displays peppers a touch of the holidays all over the house. Designer Mel Bean, of Mel Bean Interiors in Tulsa, placed Christmas baubles in fine bowls and glass jars and added them to vignettes composed of candles. Another way to use ornaments in unexpected ways is to opt for unique holiday themes. Designer Mary Patton of Mary Patton Design in Houston went with a tropical-themed approach with whimsical ornaments like these handmade and blush-toned baubles topped with a tulle bow. She’s also incorporated a bright pink tree and pastel-hued table decor with some aquatic elements. “Christmas is a joyful time,” she says. “Don’t take it too seriously and experiment with color.”
