How to Decorate Your Home at Christmas
The holiday season is a magical time when homes transform into festive wonderlands filled with warmth, joy and the spirit of giving. So, naturally, decorating your home for Christmas should be one of the most enjoyable ways to embrace the season – it doesn’t have to be overwhelming.
Are you trying to create a cosy rustic ambience, or are you more interested in styling for elegant modern flair? Whatever your tastes for Christmas decorating, our guide will help you create a stunning holiday home that fully embraces the festive cheer. Here’s how to deck the halls in style for your next Aussie Christmas.
Step 1: Choose a Christmas Theme for Your Home
Having a specific Christmas theme will not only simplify the decorating process, but also make sure your home has a cohesive and polished holiday look. With a clear theme, you can avoid the temptation of over-decorating or having mismatched styles. Think about what resonates most with your personal taste and the overall aesthetic of your home.
Popular Christmas themes:
- Traditional Christmas: Bring nostalgia to life with classic reds, greens and golds. Add traditional touches like plaid ribbons, stockings and candy canes for a timeless look. Incorporate heirloom decorations or vintage ornaments to max out the charm.
- Rustic charm: Natural elements like burlap, wood, pinecones and dried oranges set the tone. Accentuate with muted hues and warm fairy lights to create a cosy cabin feel.
- Winter Wonderland: Despite it being summer in Australia, there’s plenty to love about frosty whites, shimmering silvers and twinkling lights to create an ethereal atmosphere. Use fake snow, glass ornaments and metallic accents to capture the essence of a snowy winter day.
- Modern minimalism: Keep it sleek with metallics and monochrome tones. ’Uncluttered’ is what you are looking for. Think simple yet sophisticated – a minimalist Christmas wreath on the door, elegant tabletop trees and a total focus on clean, modern lines.
Before heading to the store, take stock of your existing Christmas decor to see what fits your theme. And don’t overlook sentimental items that could complement your new holiday decor.
Step 2: Take Inventory of Your Christmas Decorations
Before diving into decorating, take some time to do a bit of inventory on what you already have. Pull out your storage boxes and dive into your decorations from previous years. Check for any damage – like delicate ornaments that are broken, burnt-out string lights or frayed ribbons – that might need to be replaced. This is also a great opportunity to declutter and donate things you no longer use.
A good way to manage this task is to divide your decorations into categories: Christmas tree decorations, garlands, lights, Christmas wreaths and tabletop decor. Grouping them this way will help you see how much you have and what you might still need to get from the shops. If you’re planning to do an entirely new theme, you’ll already know which pieces you can reuse and which ones to replace.
Step 3: Christmas Tree Decorating
Selecting the Perfect Tree
The Christmas tree is the heart of your holiday decor, so take the time to find the perfect one. If you’re going with a real tree, think about the type of pine or fir and how its colour and fragrance will fill your home. An artificial Christmas tree can come in a few different styles, from traditional green to frosted or pre-lit options. Measure your space to know whether the tree is too tall or too wide for the room. Slim trees, for example, are great for tighter spaces, while fuller trees create a dramatic statement of Christmas greenery in larger rooms.
Decorating Your Christmas Tree
Once you have your tree, start by fluffing out its branches to fill out any gaps and give it a lush appearance. Next, string your lights around the tree, weaving them from the base to the top for an even glow. You can add garlands, ribbons or beads in graceful layers. Then, start hanging the real Christmas cheer: the ornaments! Start with the bigger ones to ‘anchor’ your design. Mix in textures and different sizes for visual interest, and splash on a few sentimental decorations to give the tree a personal touch. Finally, the tree topper. Whether it’s a star, angel or something else entirely, this is what will complete your masterpiece: a beautifully decorated tree.
Step 4: Focus on Key Areas of the Home
Entryway
Your entryway sets the tone for your entire home. A wreath on the door or ‘Merry Christmas’ sign instantly makes a festive statement. Complement it with garlands around the doorway, fairy lights and maybe a small outdoor Christmas tree. Inside, try out a holiday vignette with a console table decorated with candles and a bowl of ornaments.
Living Room
This is the heart of holiday gatherings, so make it warm and inviting. Besides the Christmas tree, decorate a fireplace mantel with garlands, stockings and seasonal figurines. Add plush blankets and holiday-themed throw pillows to your sofas and chairs. Small touches like a holiday-scented candle or a bowl of pinecones can tie the room together.
Dining Room
Make the dining experience a magical one with a festive centrepiece made of greenery, ornaments, holly berries and candles. Use table runners and placemats in your chosen colour palette. For an extra touch, place a small, themed ornament or wrapped gift at each setting for your guests. String up fairy lights or hang a wreath over the dining table for a stunning finishing touch.
Kitchen
The kitchen is often overlooked but can be easily spruced up with very little effort. Add festive tea towels, holiday-themed mugs or a decorative cookie jar. Think about placing a small potted tree or a bowl of Christmas ornaments on the counter to bring the holiday cheer into your cooking space.
Step 5: Add Festive Lighting for Ambiance
Different Christmas lights can be used to transform your home into a magical holiday haven.
- Fairy lights: Highly versatile lights that can be draped over mantels, woven into garlands or strung along windows and doorways. They’re perfect for adding a soft, festive glow to any space.
- Candles: Use candles in different sizes for a warm, flickering ambiance. Go for holiday-scented candles, like cinnamon or pine, to evoke the spirit of the season. Battery-operated LED candles are a safe alternative if you home has children or pets.
- Outdoor lights: Highlight your home’s exterior with string lights or footpath markers. Make sure all outdoor lighting is weatherproof and securely installed. You can even use timers to automatically turn the lights on and off.
Step 6: DIY Christmas Decorations for a Personal Touch
Creating your own Christmas decorations can help to add a unique, more personal touch to your home while staying budget-friendly.
- Natural Christmas decor: Use pinecones, cinnamon sticks or dried orange slices to craft rustic tree decorations. Tie them with twine or ribbon to match your theme.
- Handmade wreaths: Spend a weekend on Christmas decorating by gathering up some eucalyptus, holly or fake greenery to make your own wreath. Embellish it with berries and ribbons and small ornaments for a festive feel.
- DIY table decor: Fill mason jars with fairy lights or small ornaments for easy and elegant centrepieces in your dining room. It’s also a fun way to get the kids involved in some quality family time.
Step 7: Holiday Scents to Complete the Atmosphere
The smells of the holiday season are something you might not always think about, but they can play a powerful role in building a festive atmosphere.
- Candles: Choose fragrances like pine, cinnamon, peppermint or gingerbread to conjure up some Christmas magic. Place them in busy areas like the living room or kitchen.
- Stovetop potpourri: Simmer a mix of water, orange slices, cinnamon sticks, cloves and cranberries for a long-lasting holiday fragrance.
- Essential oils: Use a diffuser with blends like frankincense, orange or cedarwood for a subtle touch.
Step 8: Organise and Declutter Before and After Christmas
Before the decorating begins in earnest, take some time to declutter your home to make sure your Christmas decor shines without feeling overcrowded. Focus on areas like mantels, coffee tables and entryways where decorations will be displayed.
After the holidays, take care to properly storage away all your holiday items. Label the bins for ornaments, wreaths and lights, and wrap fragile decorations in tissue paper or bubble wrap. All your hard work will make next year’s decorating process much easier.
Step 9: Final Touches
Gift Wrapping
Beautifully wrapped gifts can double as decor. Choose wrapping paper that complements your theme and add some flair with ribbons or bows. Stack the wrapped gifts under the tree or on shelves to amplify the festive atmosphere.
Christmas Playlist
Nothing sets the holiday mood like music. Create a playlist of your favourite Christmas carols and modern holiday hits. Play it softly in the background to fill your home with festive cheer and keep the holiday spirit alive.
FAQs: Essential Tips for Holiday Planning
When should you put up Christmas decorations?
Many Australians start putting up their decorations in late November or the start of December, but there’s no hard rule. It’s up to what you and your family want to do!
When should Christmas decorations be taken down?
Most people take them down after New Year’s Day, although some follow the tradition of keeping them up until January 6th (Epiphany, or Three Kings’ Day).
When is the best time to buy Christmas trees and decorations?
Shop for decorations early in the season for the widest selections, or wait until Boxing Day sales for hugely discounted prices.
Make This Christmas Your Most Memorable Yet
Decorating your home for Christmas is a chance to express your creativity and bring joy to your family. Making your space magical for the holidays can be time-consuming, so take advantage of Brighton Homes’ Inspiration Gallery for ideas and styling tips to help make this Christmas the best one ever.