Clean and Stage: Before you even begin to decorate, your home should be staged. The fact is if your living room is already piled high with knickknacks and clutter, your Nutcracker collection is only going to add to the chaos and sense of overcrowding. Repeat after me, “less-is-more”…
Make it Cozy: Though staging may tempt you to forgo holiday cheer all together, a few subtle touches like a bowl of pine-cones, an evergreen wreath, or a pot of cider simmering on the stove can create a warm and festive feeling in your home.
Complement Your Decor: Before you start decking the halls, be sure your holiday decorations match your home’s current decor. If your living room is painted ‘robin’s egg blue’, skip the bright red garland and opt for soft white snowflakes. If your home has an earthy color scheme, accent with rich tones like cranberry, forest green and gold.
Accentuate the Positive: Too many accessories may distract potential buyers from some of your home’s best features; however the right accessories can draw attention to them. Try draping a simple fresh garland over your ornate mantel, or placing a vintage candelabra on your windowsill. Whatever you do, don’t block a beautiful view with stick-on snowflake decals or clutter an elegant fireplace with personalized stockings.
Go Light on Lights: “Step away from that inflatable snowman!” One man’s ‘merry’ is another man’s ‘tacky’, so tone down any garish light displays while your home is on the market. Instead, use simple string lighting to play up your home’s architecture.
Trim Your Tree: A tall Christmas tree can help to show off cathedral ceilings, but a wide base may overwhelm your floor space. If you’re living area is on the smaller side, save space with a skinny tree. Exchange any kitschy heirloom ornaments for ones that have a cohesive theme and colour pallet for festive elegance.
Clear the Clutter: While few decorations can stir the holiday spirit, don’t feel obliged to display each and every last ornament; remember you still want your space to look as spacious as possible. Limit yourself to a few hints of holiday flair, but stash the rest in storage for later. Remember, if you start to miss that Nutcracker Collection, next year you could be celebrating the holidays in a brand new home that you can decorate any way you like!