Holiday Decorating 101

Today's Holiday Decorating tips are not as specific as some of our others. Nevertheless I believe you will enjoy them just the same.

Here it is: Work with your home. Don't fight the architecture and style of your house. Think outside the proverbial box.

You may be thinking, "Ok, Kate. That's not terribly helpful." Well...let me translate my vague ramblings.

1. Do you have particularly tall ceilings? Focus on height. Normal-sized items will look dwarfed in a two-story living room. It may look enormous in the store but over that expanse above your fireplace, it will appear dinky. And dinky is not a look we like. Consider elevating your Christmas tree a few feet of the ground. Do you have a wreath you love but isn't quite large enough? Place an architectural detail (two shutters, for example) behind it.

(photo via Shawna Woodward's pinterest.)

(photo via Leslie Vanis' pinterest.)

2. Do you have a particular color throughout your home? Consider utilizing a complementary color in your decorations. Or for a bigger impact - use a contrasting color!

The bright white of this tree pops against the blue of the walls. The different cool tones (blue, green, etc.) complement the wall color and drapes.

(photo via Simplified Bee's pinterest.)

The fresh greenery, lime tones, and white accents the clean white slipcovers and green pillows of this rustic room.

(photo via Wynzia's pinterest.)

3. Having trouble finding places for decorations? With today's open floor plans, staircases are a great place to decorate.

(photo via Priscilla Blain's pinterest.)

4. Consider guests. Holiday decorations can block pathways easily; try to avoid that. Instead of decorating the handrail of your staircase, decorate where the spindles meet the stair. Nancy did this in a home last year and it was a success!