Holiday Decorating: A Designer-Approved Guide
Exclusive tips, gift ideas, and decor to create an elevated and chic holiday home.
Season’s Greetings!
Can you believe it’s already December? This season for me has been all about small changes that bring more joy into my day-to-day. In the same vein, I’ve been looking at holiday design as a way to make the mundane feel festive.
My Holiday Decorating Philosophy
Practicing mindfulness during the holiday season can be challenging. With so many advertisements encouraging us to buy, buy, buy, it’s difficult to decide what actually deserves a spot in our homes, especially if you’re design-minded like me.
My philosophy is to approach holiday decorating with the same level of discernment as one would while sourcing permanent pieces year-round. Rather than impulse-buying, we’ll take stock of our homes’ existing design aesthetic and add in pieces that are holiday-esque through shine, texture, coziness, and color.
Seasonal Styling Tips
Take stock of your square footage. Smaller apartments mean smaller decorative swaps. With larger homes, you can move pieces to storage or add new decorative layers on top of your existing favorites.
Pick a *unique* color scheme. I’m not a hater of the classics, but for a truly sophisticated and timeless look, consider a color palette that’s holiday-esque. I’m loving pops of chartreuse or pink.
Select timeless pieces. You don’t need another disposable decoration. If you wouldn’t keep it in your home year-round, it’s not worth it.
Quality over quantity. You absolutely do not need to redecorate your entire space. My favorite budget idea is to pick up a vintage tray from a thrift store and add your favorite seasonal candle on top.
Our Holiday Lookbook
Okay, I get it, I get it - sometimes you just need to be told what to buy! So, I’ve gathered up some of my favorite holiday home decor pieces for you below. These are the perfect pieces to add to your own space or gift to someone special.
Home Office
Yes, forcing people to work during December should be a punishable crime. But if you find yourself checking out of the corporate office early to work from home, you deserve to have a space that feels full of cheer.
Swapping your art with something like this olive tree vintage art print will add a cozy vibe with winter tones.
Keep your scraps and important letters tidy in this chic green decorative leather box.
The holiday season is all about being excessively fancy for no reason at all, which is why I’ll be buying these engraved letter openers for all of my friends.
With the sun setting at basically 2:00 pm these days, this polished nickel dome table lamp is an essential worker.
Kick your feet up and relax during Zoom meetings with this patterned pouf. If you happen to doze off, there’s always the classic “sorry, I was on mute.”
The Living Room
Holiday movie marathons, family game nights, gift exchanges with besties, and cozy nights reading by the fire (whether real or simulation) mean your living room is working overtime this season.
This blue plaid wool blanket is the perfect balance of modern and cozy. The tones provide the classic holiday look without being too literal.
This aged brass cord pull is a small detail that will add joy to everyday moments, opening and closing shades or turning on lamps.
A pleated table lamp with a brass base adds the holiday shine. Adding lower light to your space will help set the mood when entertaining guests and provide functionality during darker nights.
Lately, I’m loving the tailored look of piping on decorative and upholstered pieces. This textured velvet cushion or black and white twisted leather round pillow will add a layer of coziness to your sofa.
An extra end table is essential when entertaining guests. Set a plate of cookies or your favorite holiday cocktail on this round marble end table.
Need an experience-focused holiday gift idea? Our design consultation hour is the perfect present for a friend or family member who would love professional design guidance. Send a message and we’ll be happy to help set that up.
Kitchen & Dining Room
During the holiday season, I like my food and drink to take center stage in the kitchen. Keeping the decor neutral and simple means that it can be reused again and again, no matter the theme of the night or the colors on the plate.
These cloth napkins are a fun pattern to add a bit of visual interest to your holiday table. The neutral tones will complement any classic holiday color scheme.
Handcrafted needlework cocktail napkins can also be used not only for drinks, but also for little snacks like warmed nuts and biscotti.
A glass cruete makes drizzling olive oil over everything even more beautiful.
There’s no better time to bring out the family heirlooms than the holiday season. If you’re lacking in that department, start your own tradition with this one-of-a-kind vintage coaster set.
This Calacatta Viola marble portable table lamp can move with you, the treasured hostess, from kitchen to dining room and back again. Think of it like a modern candelabra.
The Bedroom
Often an overlooked area for the holiday decor, your bedroom deserves a fresh take for the winter season. Incorporating reds, pinks, and golden hues will make your space feel straight out of a holiday rom-com.
This ribbon pendant light is a gift in itself. The fabric and black detailing are so chic and timeless.
A cozy hand-stitched golden quilt will keep you warm and make your space feel sophisticated.
This handkerchief case print is part of the Index of American Design and feels reminiscent of the elegant fashion styles in the 1930s-1940s. The details are a perfect nod to holiday embroidery. I’d place it above a bed or in a pink-drenched closet.
The subtle red piping on this European linen piped sheet set is the perfect festive take on a classic holiday color.
After plenty of holiday cocktails or social chatter, quench your thirst with this handmade Japanese carafe set. Keep it filled on your nightstand for the ultimate holiday hack so you don’t wake up parched.
One Final Note
A special thank you to my readers, clients, friends, and family for a wonderful year. In October, I celebrated two years of Eleventh House Designs, which would not be possible without you. Wishing you all a bright, safe, and magical holiday season.
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