Decorating for the holidays always makes me fall in love with our home all over again. From the moment I string the twinkling lights and hang up the stockings, I’m reminded of how much this sweet home means to us.
And this year, holiday decorating has felt particularly sentimental. As much as we’re excited to start a new chapter at The Austin Tudor, I know we’ll also miss this home that’s been the backdrop to our life for nearly a decade.
Today I’m sharing my strategies for holiday decorating, with no room off-limits. Festive touches aren’t limited to the living room, and I’ll show you how to add some texture and richness to every space.
The Living Room
Let’s start in the most popular space for holiday decorating: the living room. I treat the mantle as the primary focal point in the living room and always decorate using fresh greenery and garlands. I like to start by clearing everything off the mantle so I’ve got a fresh slate to work with. From there, I secure the garland, layer in some twinkle lights, and hand stockings with luxe velvet ribbon and brass bells. Once the mantle is set, I’m ready to tackle the rest of the space. I focus heavily on adding lots of texture, pattern, and seasonal color tones through my textile selections. Keep in mind that sometimes the biggest impacts you can make with holiday decor aren’t holiday-specific at all.
The Kitchen
The kitchen doesn’t need much to get dressed up for the holiday season, but a few simple touches can go a long way. Try hanging a wreath above your range hood, and add fresh potted rosemary to your countertops. Don’t forget to swap out your everyday tea towels for a classic gingham or plaid pattern for a subtle nod to the season.
If your kitchen features open shelves (I’m going to miss ours terribly!), it’s always a fun opportunity to get extra festive. I like to swap out everyday dishware for my favorite champagne coupes and decorate with the season’s harvest, like bowls of persimmons and pomegranates. Round out the look with mini wreaths here and there until the shelves feel well-balanced.
The Entry
If your entryway involves a staircase, now is its time to shine. I love running fresh garlands along the banister for a classic holiday look. Secure the garlands using velvet ribbons every few feet to keep the greenery in place. The entry is also a great place to swap around your everyday artwork to something more seasonal. Snowy landscapes look gorgeous throughout the winter months and just make your home feel really special.
The Bedrooms
Bedrooms are often the most overlooked area for holiday decorating, but I’m a big believer in bringing a festive touch to every corner of the home. It can be as simple as adding an extra cozy throw blanket or swapping in a new seasonal throw pillow combination. I sometimes hang a set of stockings on the wall in your primary bedroom, or add some brass bells to the decorative ladder in our guest bedroom. Of course, garland on the mantle is a holiday decor must, but you can also run garland over your headboard with the help of a few well-placed hooks.
Bonus: The Bathrooms
Hear me out on this one: I’m not suggesting you go wild on holiday decorating in the bathroom. But I do think a few subtle touches can completely dress up the space—especially if you’re throughout the season. I like to tie our signature ribbon on our bathroom sconces with a few brass bells, and sometimes I’ll even add a fresh wreath or garland. Last year I went all-out with garland along our shower’s archway entry and it was pretty epic.