Creating a festive home for the holidays can help your listing sell more quickly. Just be careful not to overdo it with decorations that might detract from your home’s value.
Do decorate to highlight your home’s most attractive architectural features. For example, a tasteful garland can accentuate a stairway.
Tree
A well-decorated Christmas tree is an instant showstopper, and it’s an easy way to elevate your home’s holiday look. Whether you’re using your existing ornaments or buying a few extra items for the season, consider the color scheme of your home and choose decorations that will blend in well with your existing palette. This will make the new decorations feel like an extension of your style and help buyers envision themselves living in the space.
A broad winter theme feels welcoming to everyone and can serve as a great foundation for your tree. Specific family traditions or inside jokes, however, can come across as exclusionary. Rather than displaying a large, multipiece holiday installation that’s been passed down through generations, find a new place for it to reside (like a front porch).
When it comes to adding decorations to your tree, try not to overdo it. Too many items can be overwhelming to viewers, making it difficult to take in all of the beautiful features of your home. Aim for a balance of ornaments, picks, ribbon and garland. For example, this cozy media room’s tree is decorated with a mix of satin and striped ribbon bows along with dehydrated oranges, cranberries and apples. It’s topped with a simple star and accented with a few gold ornaments to highlight the natural colors of the room.
If you’re going to use a star, angel or another topper on your tree, place it about a hand’s width down from the tip-top. This will keep it from feeling too crowded and allow the branches to feel fuller. If you’re using a bow to wrap around the top of your tree, begin at eye level and work your way down — this makes it easier to avoid gaps when wrapping the ribbon. To add a soft, radiant glow to your tree, consider wrapping them with LED Christmas lights for an energy-efficient way to illuminate your home during the holidays.
You can also add interest to your tree by filling in empty spaces with natural picks and twigs. Pinecones and a collection of homemade ornaments accentuate the woodsy look of this home. Small twigs and branches can be spray painted or even covered in glitter to match your tree’s color palette.
Wreaths & Garlands
Wreaths and garlands can bring festive flair to any surface, not just the mantel. Hang a simple boxwood garland along your mirror frame or on a staircase to add texture and complement a metallic-themed scheme. Alternatively, try a more colorful garland with berries that pick up red accents elsewhere in your holiday decor. This pretty wreath features twigs, pinecones and pearly ornaments to coordinate with a black-and-white buffalo plaid bow.
Create a dazzling Christmas wreath to accent your favorite window, mantel or other space by incorporating sparkly ornaments. This shimmering garland features large ornaments glued to a grapevine wreath, with some smaller ornaments tucked in between for additional texture. Then use a bit of silver spray paint to accentuate the shimmer of the ornaments.
If you’d prefer not to glue the ornaments to the garland, consider tying them together with short loops of baker’s twine instead. This way you can easily remove them and repurpose them in other displays.
A strand of candy canes or staff-shaped cookie cutters tied to a ribbon makes a playful alternative to traditional holiday decorations. You can even use the ribbon to hang a few small, unadorned ornaments that you’ve already tucked into other holiday displays.
For a more elegant display, drape a garland with silvery juniper berries, ornaments and silver-sprayed pinecones. A touch of frosted greenery is also a nice touch.
This dainty garland of florals, holly leaves and berries complements a sleigh ride theme. The delicate plaster magnolia leaves can be crafted at home from silk leaves that are dipped in plaster of Paris, and you’ll probably want to store them after the holidays.
Using natural elements, like evergreen branches and berries, is a simple and effective way to dress up a wreath. For a more detailed look, wire multiple flower picks together to make them bigger and more dramatic. This beautiful garland features a mix of large and smaller flowers, as well as berries.
A hoop garland brings a modern twist to traditional Christmas decorating. You can buy one premade, but if you’d rather a DIY option, simply hot glue craft rings to each other and then add the decorations of your choice. If you don’t have room for a full-size wreath, you can also make mini hoop garland to decorate furniture backs or chairs. To store the wreaths for next year, you can either hang them or place them in a closet. Either way, you should keep the storage area covered to protect from dust and pests. If you use a closet, consider labeling the bins to make it easier to find your favorites come December.
Tabletop
Whether you’re planning to adorn a mantel or tabletop with Christmas decorations, choose accent pieces that reflect your holiday aesthetic. Using too many different elements can look cluttered and sloppy, but pairing complementary items in harmonious proportions creates an inviting design that’s sure to please. Look for Christmas sale items that coordinate with your existing color palette to ensure that your decorative choices will blend seamlessly.
Start with table linens like a classic white tablecloth or a festive patterned option that adds a cozy feel to your space. Add Christmas ornaments to your place settings, or wrap a silky ribbon around stemmed glassware and silverware for an easy, elegant touch that elevates everyday dining items. A table runner or napkins in a holiday pattern can also help pull your decorating scheme together. For a whimsical twist on traditional place settings, incorporate small gift boxes and ornaments into your centerpiece, tying a name card to each item with a pretty bow.
Use a clear vase or cloche to showcase a winter-inspired tablescape. Tuck a mix of pine, evergreen clippings, mistletoe and holly berries into a display that pairs natural elements with simple pillar candles. Use a similar arrangement to dress up a coffee table or console table in areas where family and friends gather before and after dinner.
Tabletop decorations can easily be swapped in and out throughout the season to keep your home looking fresh. Add a hint of sparkle with glitter-flecked table runners and napkins, or swap out the traditional Santa or snowman ornaments for modern glass or ceramic figures. If you’re expecting young guests this year, include a few nutcrackers or other children’s Christmas decorations to get them excited for Santa’s arrival.
Don’t forget to include some Christmas-themed throw pillows on sofas and chairs, or a holiday-themed rug for the entryway or living room. A few Christmas-themed blankets can even liven up an empty corner or closet. Dressing up an old-fashioned sled or red wagon is another creative way to bring Christmas spirit into your home. Just be sure to keep any furniture you dress up out of direct sunlight to prevent sun damage.
Wall
As the focal point of your home’s interior, the fireplace mantel offers the ideal space for a stunning Christmas decoration. Dress it with a gorgeous holiday wreath and complement it with decorative pieces that support your theme. For example, if your theme is inspired by the beloved ‘Twas the Night Before Christmas poem or the lyrics to your favorite holiday carol, frame them with an embroidered wall hanging that showcases your family name or monogram and is decorated with tassels, jingle bells or sequins.
For a festive touch, display a set of red Christmas stockings and fill them with small gifts for a family countdown. Make this project even more fun by using an old ladder to hang the stockings and then adding a special surprise each day of the month leading up to Christmas.
Consider adding a touch of whimsy to your holiday decorating by dressing animal heads with winter accessories like scarves and hats. This is a great project to do with kids and it’s an easy way to add some seasonal color to your home without spending much money.
If you’re selling your home during the holidays, resist the temptation to overdecorate with oversized ornaments and lights. Potential buyers may not appreciate the cluttered look and feel overwhelmed by the amount of work it would take to keep up with the decor. Instead, opt for subtle holiday decorations to entice buyers with a sense of warmth and holiday cheer.
Choosing the right colors and decorations for your indoor decor is key to a cohesive appearance. Select a color scheme that supports your Christmas theme, such as classic red and green or elegant gold and silver. Then choose items that tie into the theme, such as table runners, napkins and throw blankets.
Whether you’re decking the halls for yourself or creating an inviting space to welcome guests, Michaels has all the Christmas sale items you need to create a festive and welcoming space this season. Remember to incorporate soft textures, such as fuzzy blankets and fabric trees, to enhance comfort levels when guests gather for a holiday meal or cocktail party. For a truly spectacular look, finish the room with a touch of glitz with metallic accents like garland and ribbons to accentuate a tree, fireplace, or other festive displays.