Getting Your Home Ready for the Holidays

With the holidays fast approaching, your to-do list is sure to be overflowing with both fun and tiring chores alike. Whether it's baking, shopping, or visiting with family and friends, the days are going to fly by when you’re celebrating and making everything feel festive. However, one of the first steps on your list when it comes to preparing for the holidays should be getting your home ready for the season. If you want to be sure that your home is ready to shine for all of your holiday parties and family get-togethers, check out this essential to-do list so you’ll be able to sit back and enjoy.

Dust, Mop, and Shine

It goes without saying, but before decorating every holiday season it’s best to start with a clean, fresh slate. Pull out the sofas and vacuum or sweep, dust off the ceiling fans and light fixtures and wipe down all surfaces that you plan to use or add décor to.  If you have a fireplace before you decide to light up a crackling fire, inspect it and be sure it doesn’t need cleaning or repair. Once you feel confident that all of your living spaces feel fresh and clean, you can finally break out the boxes of tinsel and décor.

Switch out Seasonal Styles

Sure, you love your geometric print pillows, beach-themed décor, and pastel floral print area rugs, but your everyday pieces don’t always fit when the holidays roll around. Make your living spaces look a little merrier simply by making a few small switches. In the kitchen and the bathrooms, swap out towels and decorative accessories for winter or holiday themes to help add a festive touch to your most utilized spaces. In the living room, tuck your daily throw pillows away and add special pillows chosen just for the season to give your living space a festive feel. Want to really make a big impact? Don’t forget to change out your area rug as well! By adding an area rug to match your seasonal décor, you’ll be sure to get the best overall style and effect you’re looking for. Then when the season is over, simply move your holiday area rug to another part of your home, like the guest room or office, so you’ll be able to continue to use it all year long. Look for rugs with traditional motifs in warm or neutral hues, or go big and pick a red rug (like Osaka) that Santa will be sure to approve of.

Add a Cozy Touch of Hygge

One of the most popular home décor trends during cold weather months these days is to embrace the Danish and Norwegian aesthetic of Hygge. This idea simply means to make things feel cozy and welcoming through the use of softening up your home and adding elements that feel comfortable. This is an especially effective way to get your home ready for the holidays because Hygge encourages the use of candles, chunky knits, roaring fires, earthy accents, and clean and calm spaces. You can add a touch of Hygge to your home by placing holiday candles on your mantle or coffee table, draping chunky knit throws on the couch, and adding a soft traditional print area rug (like Nouveau) to your living room. The idea is to simply create a space that feels warm and inviting where you’ll want to hibernate and gather with the people you care for during the cold winter months.  

Don’t let the holidays go by without infusing a little bit of seasonal cheer into your décor. Whether you want to simply spruce up one small space, or turn your entire home into a winter wonderland... a little bit of preparation can go a long way!  Treat your home to a few new seasonal throw pillows, candles or area rugs and make your holidays a little more merry and bright!