The holiday season is underway and that means we’ll be enjoying the magic of the season for weeks to come. If you’re the person in your home responsible for decorating, cooking, shopping and wrapping it can also bring feelings of overwhelm along with excitement. One of the best ways to reduce the chaos of the season is by learning to simplify the way you decorate.
It’s tempting to bring new decor pieces into your home year after year but sometimes less is more and this is certainly true of the holiday season. Many of us don’t want our homes transformed into a winter wonderland but instead prefer something festive and simple to celebrate the season. If this sounds like you this holiday season I’ve got you covered with these tips for a simple, elegant holiday decor.
6 Easy Steps to Simplify Your Holiday Decor
1/ Create a Simple Colour Palette
One of the best tricks I know for creating simple and elegant holiday decor is to create a colour palette. Select 2-3 colours that you’ll repeat throughout all of your decorating. From presents to stockings to ornaments placed throughout your home, this palette will look refined and elegant.
If you have young kids you know how the holidays can become a cacophony of colour and shapes. Your home may quickly end up looking more like a version of Santa’s village and less like the elegant home you’re aiming for. By sticking to just a few colours you’ve eliminated so much of the visual noise that can overwhelm us during the holidays.
When we bring a tree into our home we’ve already begun to add clutter to our space. With each new decor item it feels less and less serene and more overwhelming. By sticking to a simplified palette you’ll keep your home feeling like a calm retreat from the outside world.
2/ Strategic and Simple Holiday Shapes
Even if you don’t have a tree in your home you can create a beautiful holiday setting by bringing some simple holiday shapes into your home. There are very few holiday decor pieces in this space and yet it still feels festive. The simple wreath is a shape we all recognize as reflecting the spirit of the holidays. Along with that we’ve added a small tree and reindeer and this small decor update definitely makes this room feel joyous and merry.
We don’t need much to add a touch of the holiday spirit so if you’re not able or willing to unload boxes of ornaments you really can relax. These simple, recognizable shapes will create the feeling of a cheery space that’s embracing the holidays with less fuss.
Bonus Tip – Incorporate blankets and pillows with texture to create an extra cozy space. The faux fur, velvet and plaid all create a winter feeling that will enhance the rest of the holiday decor.
3/ Rely on Candlelight
Twinkling lights help to create holiday magic but sparkling trees aren’t always right for our space. Some additional lighting is often enough to create that magic you’re hoping to see during the holidays.
There’s nothing particularly festive about candlelight and yet it can create a feeling of simple celebration to every room. I love the bed of pine boughs that are used on the table to enhance the candle’s holiday theme. Whether you incorporate taper candles like the ones above or just add some festive tea lights to your table, the additional glow will feel instantly festive.
If your celebrations are going to be pared down this year you can still feel as though you’re part of the season with some simple greenery and some candles. Allow yourself to enjoy the magic of the season without all the chaos and the stuff that we often associate with December.
4/ Show off Holiday Food
This tip is both pretty and practical. If you do a lot of entertaining you can show off your holiday candy canes in simple glass jars. It’s an unmistakable nod to the season and will create a simple charm that also helps feed your guests.
Look for treats that are colour coordinated to the rest of your holiday decor or stick to traditional red and green for a nostalgic nod to Christmas.
Other easy ways to incorporate food into your decor is with a bowl of pomegranates, oranges or cranberries. Certain foods just look festive and jolly so don’t overlook their usefulness in creating the holiday mood without the overwhelm of traditional decorating.
5/ Use Nature’s Bounty
There’s nothing in this image from our client project that screams holidays and yet it’s obvious that this was taken during the holiday season. The ribbon adorned wreath and the simple vase of greenery creates a backdrop of elegance and holiday simplicity.
You can go to any big box store during the holidays and find a simple green wreath. Bring a few home and enhance them with a simple bow or keep going to create your own DIY holiday themed accent to suit your space.
6/ Create Non-Traditional Floral Arrangements
Magnolia leaves have such a glossy, fresh seasonal look and the best part is that they won’t need to be put away after the holidays are behind us. This is a beautiful winter arrangement that will last for months after the holidays. If you can’t find magnolia leaves you’ll be sure to find something seasonal at your local garden centre.
When we think of holiday arrangements we probably think of pine boughs and red berries but there are lots of other greenery that will make your holidays feel festive. And if you live in the country you’re likely lucky enough to open your door and find a plethora of greenery right at your doorstep. Use whatever you can find because whatever is growing is seasonal and will create a simple and elegant mood in your home this holiday season.
If you’re feeling overwhelmed by the season I hope this gives you the tips you need to go simple this year. It’s definitely possible to create elegance and holiday cheer while keeping things simple.
Happy holidays!
If you know your design style but you struggle with which paint to use, take a look at my Made-For-You paint palettes. They take the guesswork out and give you the confidence to get started.
