Whether you’re decorating from scratch this year in your new home or want to change things up and make it easier to dress up your home for holidays I suggest this year, trying a minimalist holiday look. Instead of burying your home in decorations, let’s uncover the calm and cozy feeling of the season with a “less is more” approach.
This isn’t about having a bare, empty house. It’s about making smart choices that feel festive, peaceful and easy. Here’s how to create a stunning holiday vibe with half the stuff and none of the stress.
1. Start with a Feeling
Before you even think about decorating, take a moment and decide on the mood. How do you want to feel in your home this season?
- Natural and Scandinavian? Focus on fresh greenery, bare branches, and simple wood or metal accents.
- Modern and Bright? Go for a cohesive palette (choose 3 colors) with warm fairy lights to add a soft glow.
- Warm and Nostalgic? Think flickering candles, dried orange slices, and cozy knit blankets.
Once you have your feeling, use it as a filter. If a decoration doesn’t fit that mood, leave it in the box.
2. Bring in Nature
The secret to minimalist decorating is bringing the outdoors in. It’s beautiful, elegant, adds warmth and texture to your space.
- Drape a single, elegant garland over your mantle or down your staircase.
- Place a few pinecones and acorns in a bowl for a simple centerpiece, add bare branches in a vase.
- Dried orange or apple slices look like stained glass when hung on a tree or in a window with light shining through. Plus, they make your home smell amazing.
3. Focus on Creating Big Impact
Instead of scattering decorations everywhere, choose a few key spots to make a statement. This creates intentional focal points and lets the rest of your home breathe.
- The Front Door: a single, beautiful wreath is all you need to welcome guests.
- The Mantle: this is a perfect stage for your minimalist look. Try a simple garland or a row of candles in varying heights.
- The Dining Table: a linen runner, a few candles, and a centerpiece of fresh greenery create an elegant look that doesn’t feel cluttered.
4. Decorate with Your Senses, Not Just Your Eyes
A festive feeling is about more than just what you see. Engage all the senses for a truly cozy atmosphere.
- Scent: simmer a pot of water with cinnamon sticks, cloves, and orange peels. The scent of fresh pine from real greenery is also incredibly festive.
- Touch: swap your regular throw pillows and blankets for ones with cozy textures like chunky knits, velvet, or faux fur. This adds warmth without adding clutter.
- Sound: create a simple holiday playlist of calm, instrumental music to have on in the background.
5. Swap, Don’t Just Add
This is the golden rule of clutter-free decorating. To keep your space from feeling overstuffed, don’t just layer holiday items on top of your everyday decor.
- Put away your usual coffee table books and replace them with a few festive candles.
- Take down a piece of wall art and hang a simple wreath in its place.
- Switch out your everyday throw pillows for seasonal ones.
Want Help Creating Your Holiday Look? We’ve Got You Covered
If the idea of decorating sounds exhausting or if you’d love a beautiful, cohesive holiday setup without the hassle — we can help.
Our team not only styles and decorates homes for the holidays, we’ll also source the decor, match your desired aesthetic, and even wrap gifts so they’re as beautiful as the space around them.
Whether you’re after a minimalist look or something more personalized, we take care of the details so you can actually enjoy the season.
Ready to simplify your holidays? Contact us and let’s create some magic, minus the mess.
