10 Tips on Tastefully Decorating Your Home for Any Season

During the holiday season it is far too easy to get swept up in making your home absolutely impeccable. From the moment our guests enter, we strive to have all the little details refined to perfection. Coordinating the linens with centerpieces and silverware, plus creating an elegant, festive screen in the living room can be overwhelming to say the least. Nevertheless, we always pull it off year after year regardless of the season or event. Here are 10 quick and easy tips to live by that will leave you with a tastefully decorated home and more time to focus on what is really important: enjoying quality time with your loved ones.

FIRST: KEEP IT SIMPLE!

You would be surprised how far a few pieces of garland and some scented candles will go to make a home feel warm, welcoming and festive. Using items you already have in the home is an effortless way to create your own holiday palette and simplify your decorating experience. For example, the blue depression glass you have sitting in the China cabinet will serve as the perfect frosted accent for any winter gathering. Combine it with white linens, a polished dining room table and a single wreath or garland as your centerpiece and you’ve created a winter wonderland right before your guests’ eyes.

TWO: MIX IT UP

When creating focal points throughout the home, don’t shy away from mixing and matching decorations from different seasons. Using a brass or silver watering can as a vase is a fun, playful way to display your flowers for the evening. Another popular option is utilizing mason jars to adorn an array of displays. Build a vase, fill it as a bowl for candy, or even stuff them with goodies for your guests to take home.

THREE: DURABILITY

You’ll want to use resilient fabrics so you can handle your decorations throughout the years without fear of damages. When picking out your festive materials, be sure to stick with reliable synthetic or felt fabrics. These are easy to carve into bells, angels or birds and tuck into your wreath for an extra pop of color.

FOUR: PLANT LIFE

Filling your home with a variety of flowers and herbs is a great, natural way to bring amazing color and wonderful scents into your home. Displaying a poinsettias, pinecones and branches by the fireplace is a great festive accent to consider. You may also try sprucing things up by spreading sprigs throughout your home. For a lighter presentation in the summer, fresh herbs on a windowsill or bowls of fruit forms a fresh, earthy feel in the home that welcomes your guests.

FIVE: SHIMMERING LIGHTS

It’s summer and all your guests are outside enjoying the new back deck. Dusk is approaching, but you want to keep the party going and make everyone feel relaxed. Stringing white lights in the trees, under your outdoor umbrella or on the deck’s banister will serve you functionally by providing lighting but also creates a relaxing ambiance and a picturesque scene. Other dual purpose ideas include tiki lamps, citronella candles and light sensors.

SIX: SWEET SURPRISE

Elegantly written family recipe cards are a great take-home token for your friends and family. Print your favorite recipe and place the card near their dinner plates as a symbol of gratitude for coming together.

SEVEN: PERSONAL TOUCH

Don’t forget to decorate for yourself! Festoon the bedroom with a glass vase of evergreens, ornaments or seasonal flowers to bring that cozy feel home. “An assemblage of cherished mementoes, like nutcrackers, past holiday portraits, or antique dreidels will make a unique display.”

EIGHT: DIY DECORATIONS

Nothing brings out my crafty side like a little holiday spirit. Giving gifts to friends and family that are home-made and from the heart are always well-received and appreciated. Why not incorporate that safe, loving feel into your decorations? Utilizing treasures from vacations, family photos, or small accessories like spare buttons add flare to any DIY decoration you create.  Learn how to up-cycle your common household goods into creative holiday decorations.

NINE: SIRENE STAIRCASE

It’s easy to overlook something used so often, but don’t hesitate to decorate the staircase. The accession lends a natural advantage to creating a beautiful display. Instead of just adding garland or ribbon to the railing, try adding lights, stockings, or mini wreaths to crated a layered effect. If your staircase is wide enough, consider lining the steps with seasonal decor like nutcrackers, pumpkins and gourds, flowers or removable decals.

TEN: HAVE FUN WITH IT

Feel free to incorporate your whimsical personality into your home decorations. Don’t fret over making everything “Pinterest perfect.” Your home should embody YOU, so don’t be afraid to spice things up a little. Display your goofy family photos with pride, put a crown on your Plato bust, and let the good times roll.