How about this refined and nuanced approach to holiday decor? For those aiming to evoke a sense of seasonal spirit without overwhelming their space, strategic choices are key. Kelsey Haywood, the designer behind haywoodmade, shares her professional tips for achieving a subtle and sophisticated holiday look that seamlessly integrates with your aesthetic. Instead of loud and overt holiday statements, Haywood emphasizes the importance of selecting and displaying items that convey a festive ambiance without dominating the overall decor.
Commit to a Color:
Embrace a deliberate color scheme to convey holiday vibes subtly. Rather than opting for multi-colored and overtly festive items, choose a specific color that complements your existing decor. Haywood suggests red, especially ruby reds or wine colors, for a festive touch. Alternatively, whites or golds can create an elegant, wintery atmosphere. Patterns, like checks and stripes in white, red, and black, can add sophistication without overwhelming the space.
Go All Natural:
Incorporate natural materials and real greenery for a timeless and uncluttered holiday look. Fresh flowers or greenery, such as a live garland, offer a high-impact yet effortless option. Haywood recommends using local floral shops and choosing options like eucalyptus, boxwood, or long-needled pines. Not only do they add a festive touch, but they also provide a pleasant pine scent.
Don’t Add—Swap What’s Existing:
Avoid clutter by opting for swaps instead of additions. Change out existing items such as pillow covers, throws, doormats, and tea towels with holiday-themed alternatives. By integrating holiday decor into your existing items, like Ursula Carmona’s candle display swap, you can maintain a cohesive look without overwhelming the space.
Decorate in Neutrals:
Avoid overwhelming colors like reds and greens by opting for a neutral holiday decor scheme. Consider using brown kraft paper snowflakes, which, despite evoking winter vibes, act as sculptural wall decor. Utilize textures such as heavy knits, fuzzy weaves, and faux fur to create a cozy and festive ambiance without overtly signaling any specific holiday.
Display the Bold Items Together:
Reserve a specific area, like the Christmas tree, to showcase bold and sentimental holiday items. Embrace the tradition of collecting ornaments with sentimental value. By concentrating bold decorations in one designated space, such as the tree, you can maintain a cohesive and intentional look while honoring holiday traditions.
Blend in Small Changes:
Ensure your holiday decor seamlessly integrates with your existing color scheme and cherished year-round display pieces. Introduce subtle changes that harmonize with your decor, such as tucking Santa-themed items among vintage plates or adding cream-colored bottlebrush trees to arrangements of beige sculptural pieces.
Have a ‘Shelfie Moment’:
Designate specific shelves or a small corner of a room as a dedicated space for kitschy holiday items. By confining bold holiday displays to selected areas, like the powder room, bar cart, or kitchen window sill, you can infuse festive elements without overwhelming the entire home. Kelsey Haywood refers to this approach as a “shelfie moment,” ensuring that holiday decor doesn’t dominate the overall aesthetic of your home.
