For most of us, Christmas is a special time of year accompanied by the sights, sounds, and smells of the season. Simply put, it is a wonderful time for sensory overload. I have to admit, though, that I sometimes find it quite overwhelming. Don’t get me wrong: I love all of the celebrations and food, but my struggle comes from the fact that I am a self-described minimalist when it comes to design and décor.
My clients seek advice on staging and decorating all the time, and my catchphrase is often “less is more.” I truly believe that a home with minimal clutter will help declutter the brain. This principle is nearly impossible to achieve during the month of December, with all of the lights, metallic ribbon, and dancing Santa Claus figurines.
I find myself currently in a holiday-decorating slump. Having two small children has left me without the desire to put many decorations out. If I do, I know it will add more to my plate while having to worry about the kids breaking something and hurting themselves. Lately, however, while browsing the Christmas aisles, I’ve heard the pleas from the little people in my life. I think the time has finally come to throw my hands up and surrender. A bit.
While preparing for the holidays, we can and should still apply the basic principles of decorating. It is important to think of your house as one—a series of spaces linked together by hallways and walls. Therefore, it makes sense to have a common theme and style. This doesn’t mean that each design element has to be the same. Each piece should be displayed with the intention of complementing the other pieces, to strengthen the décor as a whole.
Colour is an easy way to create a theme. For example, you might pick 3 or 4 colours and use them in varying shades throughout the house.
Naturally, the Christmas tree becomes the focal point during this season. It inevitably demands attention. Whatever colour scheme you’ve chosen, remember to incorporate it into the tree trimmings. Repetition is key to create a cohesive design, and helps with the smooth transition from one space to the next. By reintroducing a colour, pattern, or texture, you get a little closer to achieving a magazine-worthy space.
It may take a bit more convincing for me to buy that 6-foot light-up snowman that the kids want to display in our living room, but I’m willing, now more than ever, to add a bit more tinsel in our lives.
