Happy New Year!

We’ve been chatting on social media during the month of December and it was unanimous! We like our homes so much better during the holidays! I commented that I had been ready to start several big design projects and suddenly I liked my space again when it was decorated for the holidays. We talked about 4 reasons why – greenery, lighting, color, fun decor, and I meant to talk about #5! Today, I’ll share with you how to incorporate those elements we love during the holidays into our every day decor.

Live Plants

We love the freshness and the scent of our Christmas trees and garland. Adding plants to our home brings in that same life and energy. If you’re like me, your thumb may not be the greenest. I have had the most success with succulents, peace lilies, pothos, and philodendren. I am not a fan of artificial plants- I have a couple of small ones but I have not found many that are realistic.

Lighting

The lights on the trees and the glow from candles are my favorite part of Christmas decor. They create such a warm and inviting atmosphere. Adding more lighting to our space will make a world of difference! Add a mix of overhead, task, and accent lighting. As far as overhead lighting goes, look for fixtures that have a dimmer option. I don’t recommend recessed lighting except for in the kitchen. I forget how many recessed lights we have at the beach, but I only turn on the ones in the kitchen. Otherwise it looks like an airport runway it’s so bright! Lamps are one of my favorite design elements and you probably need way more than you think you do! Of course you need them for reading and other tasks but also place them around your room to evenly disperse the light. There are so many fun designs and beautiful colors- lamps can be works of art! You can highlight artwork with accent lighting and don’t forget the candles! If this is the only tip you incorporate I promise you it will transform how you feel in your home.

Color

In November, I add oranges and yellows to my decor in celebration of the fall season. Christmas time brings in the red. These vibrant colors add so much interest to our space. For the past several years, neutrals have been the mainstay of interior design. The trend is definitely toward bringing in more color. It doesn’t have to be bright and bold if that’s not your style. I definitely think investing in core neutral pieces can be a wise choice- especially if you like to change things up often. Do a little post Christmas shopping or look around your house to see if you have some colorful pieces to refresh your decor. Jewel tones are beautiful and will help create coziness for those cold winter days.

Fun Decor

From snowmen to Santa, reindeer and gnomes, there are so many cute holiday decor items that simply make us happy. While I definitely believe in following good design principles, don’t be afraid to add an unexpected item or two. Bring in your personality through paintings, pottery, glass sculpture or simply an interesting rug or pillow- anything that makes you smile!

Hospitality

The fifth reason I believe we enjoy our homes so much more during the holidays is because of the spirit of hospitality. All of the decorations, outside and in, seem to say “Welcome” and “Let’s Celebrate!” We make time to invite people into our homes and spend time with our friends and family. There seems to be priority on relationships that sometimes gets lost in our every day busy lives. I encourage you not to wait until the holiday season to open up your homes! Host a game night, neighborhood pot luck, or a book club. Incorporate the ideas for refreshing your decor, but don’t wait until you think everything is perfect to share your home with others. The main thing they will take away is not how your home looks, but how special and welcome you made them feel.

If you’d like some help making your home refresh a reality, let’s chat! You can set up a free discovery call through my website. https://calendly.com/lauragossett/15-minute-discovery-call?month=2023-01

Here’s to a fabulous 2023!!

Laura