WITH Christmas just around the corner, many of us will have decorated our homes ready for the big day.
But it turns out that there’s some dos and don’ts for Christmas decorating, so if you want your home to impress this festive season, you’ll want to listen up.
GettyInterior experts have revealed the eight dos and don’ts for Christmas decorating, so if you want your home to impress this festive season, you’ll want to take notes[/caption]
GettyAccording to the experts, it’s important that you use the spacing rule and avoid all bright tinsel[/caption]
Experts at Online-Bedrooms.co.uk have researched the decorating habits of Britons and have revealed their top eight do’s and don’ts when it comes to dressing our homes for the festive season.
Turning the house into a winter wonderland can be one of the most exciting parts of Christmas, but it can also become quite a stressful experience deciding what colours to use and which decorations to put up.
Nic Shacklock from Online-Bedrooms.co.uk said: “Many of us dream of transforming our homes into something a professional interior designer would be proud of at Christmas.
“But while everyone loves to enjoy some Christmas cheer, it can be challenging to achieve some festive style without the house ending up looking cluttered or tacky.
“Luckily there are some simple tips which can help and the small details make all the difference – from the colours of the baubles to the amount of space which should be left between tree decorations.”
Here are eight Christmas decorating Do’s and Don’ts from Online Bedrooms.co.uk to help get your house ready for the festive season.
According to the experts, do…
Vary the baubles
Get a variety of round teardrop baubles to help to differentiate the style on the tree.
Not only is it visually appealing, but it gives the tree a more contemporary look.
Take it to the bedroom
If you like to decorate every room of the house, buying duvet covers which can be used all year can be a budget saver and won’t look out of place in January.
Opt for a winter woodlands theme rather than one with a picture of Santa Claus.
Get an upside-down tree
It’s a spin on the traditional pine tree, but getting an upside-down tree to place in the kitchen or hallway as a secondary tree can give your home a modern edge.
Size up the tree skirt
Measure the width and height of the tree skirt to make sure it fits around the tree correctly otherwise it’ll lead to a tight squeeze.
You can even opt for using fluffy blankets as a most cost-friendly alternative.
Pick an aesthetic
Selecting a theme is the first thing you need to do before buying decorations.
Decide whether you want woodland, noel or Scandinavian, without trying to incorporate them all at once.
Use the spacing rule
Leave a gap between each branch every time you put a bauble up to avoid a cluttered tree.
If you feel the tree looks bare from too much spacing, place some beads or tinsel to thicken the appearance.
Festive tones
Using the traditional reds and greens can spruce up the space to host a perfect Christmas.
Whether it’s through baubles, garland or an ornament of Santa Claus – combining the two tones can make a homely festive environment.
Put garland above cabinets
While many tend to wrap garland around the staircase, a trick to use this year is to place it above the cabinets to make the most of every room in the house.
Don’t…
Use both silver and gold
It’s the most important rule of Christmas decorating. Pick one or the other to avoid confusion and stick to it.
Reds and silvers match a modern design, while reds and golds are preferred for a traditional style.
Make small clusters on the tree
If you’re going for the bigger is a better option, make big clusters involving five-six baubles with one big one instead of three close together.
This will prevent the tree from looking like a mess but instead more well-designed.
Use every colour of the rainbow
Don’t throw in all the warm and cool tones into the hat otherwise you’ll be left with a mismatched theme throughout the house.
If you want to use more colours, pick a different theme for each room.
Buy a new rug
Winter rugs can make the living room look even busier during the season.
It’s also not a great idea for Christmas decor, as it’s potentially a trip hazard while surrounded by lights and candles.
Use bright tinsel
Avoid brightly coloured tinsel of reds and greens to avoid ‘tackiness’, instead, subtlety is key.
If you’re going for a frosty theme, then match it up with silver tinsel.
Buy a whole new decorating set
While you may want to rush and buy a whole new range of items, make the most of existing decorations which you may have in the attic.
DIY ornaments always come back into fashion every few years.
Go overboard
Going all out is hard not to do during the excitement of Christmas, but simplicity is essential to a stylish home.
When you decorate make sure not to transform every piece of furniture, or you’ll be left with a messy home for the season.
Leave the décor up too long
Once the festivities are all over, make sure not to keep them up for too long.
It’s traditionally advised to take them down 12 days after Christmas as folk tales say it can lead to bad luck.