It’s once again the most wonderful time of the year, full of colour, happiness, love, laughter, gifts, and special moments with loved ones. For some, it’s a stressful time of year with all the buying of gifts. For others, buying gifts early and getting into the Christmas spirit is something they look forward to – all year round! Some of the easiest and most common ways to turn up the Christmas spirit is to turn on (with volume) Mariah’s hit ‘All I Want for Christmas Is You’ or to settle in for a night in front of the big screen to re-watch Home Alone. But to really light up the Christmas spirit in your home, set the scene with festive décor and styling. Here’s how to keep it on-trend, affordable, fun, and a little more eco this Christmas.
1. Chic ornaments and decorations
Set the gaudy iridescent tinsel and baubles aside and choose ceramic, glass, or wooden ornaments to adorn your home. Not only are they more environmentally friendly than their plastic counterparts, but natural tones and materials add an understated, elegant aesthetic that can be built on for years to come. Channel your DIY side – from white salt dough ornaments to origami paper creations, get the kids involved or sit down with friends over a glass of mulled wine and craft your own Christmas décor items.
2. Choose your colour palette carefully
As with any home styling, working with a defined colour palette in mind helps you create a cohesive look for your festive aesthetic. While traditional Christmas colours of reds, silver, gold, and greens are here to stay, to freshen up your look, bring in neutral earthy tones that will complement a traditional accent colour. There’s still nothing more magical than a chic, white-themed Christmas. Cheats tip – get inspired by these trending palettes for 2022.
3. Christmas spirit for all to see
It’s become quite the tradition to put on a show and dress the exterior of your home for all in the neighbourhood to marvel at. From large reindeer to inflatable Santa’s strategically positioned on rooflines to decorated trees and lights to frame every window, door, and house frame – the more elaborate, the better! And while this is spectacular to see, it does take a lot of effort, time (and ladders!) to get your home festive wonderland ready. If you’re looking for something a little more low-key, place the focus on your front entryway – this can be as simple as hanging a wreath, decorating pot plants with festive flair, investing in a cute Christmas-themed doormat or draping a garland (don’t forget the mistletoe!) over your front door. Channel your DIY side – Martha Stewart’s got you covered with these DIY wreaths.
4. Lights you’ll love
Lights can quickly enter tacky territory when overused, so keep it simple and opt for warm white lights over an abundance of colour. Alongside candles, twinkling string lights add a touch of hygge to your home. They can be used not just on the tree but to accompany your table centrepiece or within a festive mantel arrangement. If you’re inspired and feeling like going big, choose lights fit for outdoor use and drape them on existing trees in your front yard, around windows or framing your entrance. Channel your DIY side – level up your outdoor lighting with these DIY light-up outdoor Christmas ornaments. Or visit your local Bunnings for solar-powered options like these Christmas Solar Stake Lights.
5. Tree trends
Instead of dusting off that ancient artificial tree, embrace the new ‘anything goes’ tree trend. Whether you want to work in with your existing décor with a blush pink tree or a wooden Christmas tree, or if you’re after a space-saving Scandi-style branch wall hanging tree (complete with LEDs), now’s the time to shake off pressure for the perfect traditional tree (that you struggle to get through the door every year), and choose a tree that you love. Channel your DIY side – from this cute living succulent Christmas tree to vintage sheet music masterpieces; the internet is awash with inspiration to help you create a tree to suit.
6. Festive candles to set the mood
From mood lighting to scent, candles add a luxe ambience to your home during the festive season. Choose from classic white pillar candles to create a warm, magical golden glow and bespoke Christmas-scented candles which will infuse your home with a scent synonymous with the season. Channel your DIY side – craft your own Eucalyptus-adorned, Scandinavian-inspired candle wreath.
7. Inject natural textures
Texture is a fundamental home styling technique, and for Christmas this year, it’s all about bringing elements of nature into the home. Whether it’s a rosemary wreath, pampas grass accents, simple fern garlands draped over staircases, or mantelpieces, bringing greenery indoors is the only texture you need this Christmas. Channel your DIY side – raid the garden and get inspired with 31 ways to decorate with Christmas foliage.
8. It’s beginning to smell a lot like Christmas
Festively scented candles aside, there’s nothing quite like the spice-infused aromas of Christmas treats being prepared in the kitchen. From freshly baked gingerbread to Christmas mince pies, the signature scents of Christmas include things like cinnamon, clove, nutmeg, and star anise. Get small helpers involved in the kitchen to bake and decorate gingerbread men, or for something a bit more sophisticated, mix up a batch of mulled wine and have it simmering on the stovetop, ready for guests. Cheats tip – from perfumed pinecones to stove top or slow cooker potpourri, there are plenty of easy ways to fill your home with Christmas fragrances without spending all day in the kitchen.
9. Make it eco
Our final styling tip this Christmas is to upcycle, recycle and reuse as much as possible. From how you package your gifts to the items you choose to decorate your home, ensure any new purchases are carefully considered and made with longevity in mind. While Christmas is typically a season of excess and heightened consumerism, make a conscious effort to shop sustainably and mindfully. Channel your sustainable side – choose greener gift-wrapping options, invest in a reusable advent calendar and make your own Christmas cards.
Above all else, fill your home with great company
Whether you celebrate Christmas or not, filling your home with the people you love is the best way to bring festive cheer into your home this holiday season. The First National Real Estate team wishes you a healthy and safe holiday season filled with joy, happiness, and of course, enviable home styling!
DISCLAIMER
Ensure all decorations and ornaments are used as intended and fit for purpose. This means you need to carefully check the conditions of use for each item or ask your retailer for assistance before purchasing or installing it in your home. We do not claim any recipes; no recipes are our own. The following advice is of a general nature only and intended as a broad guide. The advice should not be regarded as legal, financial or real estate advice. You should make your own inquiries and obtain independent professional advice tailored to your specific circumstances before making any legal, financial or real estate decisions. Click here for full Terms of Use.