Deck The Halls – The Top 6 “Hotspots” for Holiday Home Decor

By Lana Bingham

Now that we are all stuffed full of turkey and apple pie, it’s time to decorate the tree and break out boxes full of holiday trimmings. No matter what size or style your home is, the same holiday décor “hot-spots” apply. As a Tampa custom builder, we have dedicated these 6 areas as the most inspiring spaces to decorate. So take a seat, sip some homemade hot cocoa, and learn about the best ways to deck your halls.

1. Master Your Mantel – The fireplace is a favorite for holiday décor. This built-in display area can be covered with a tiny Christmas village, a decorative combination of garland, candles, and holiday figurines, or a holding place for greeting cards. If you don’t have a television above your fireplace, you can use the space above for wall-mounted decor. Don’t forget that stockings look best hung above a roaring fire, just be sure the remove them before Santa fills them with chocolates. Since the Christmas tree is typically placed next to the fireplace, your mantel acts as a secondary focal point for your living or family room.

2. Create A Staircase Santa Would Be Proud Of – On Christmas morning, the children descend from the stairs to find the floor beneath the Christmas tree covered in delicately wrapped presents of all different shapes and sizes. Tampa home builders recommend wrapping or draping your banister in garland and lights, and adding tiny ornaments or bows for extra flair.

3. Make Your Front Porch Festive – A decorative wreath is the most popular holiday adornment, as it creates an inviting entrance into your home. But what is going to set your home’s curb appeal apart from every other home on the street? Enhance a door frame or entry way columns with a DIY garland and add on pinecones, sparkling snow, sugared berries and jingle bells. Another option is to add holiday themed pillows to your porch furniture, line your steps with lanterns, or hang decorations from your porch ceiling. Displaying your Christmas tree from a front window also makes your home much more noticeable from the street. From a simple wreath to a replica of Santa’s workshop, a seasonal inspired front porch is a reflection of your home’s holiday spirit.

4. ‘Tis The Season For Tablescapes – Plates, napkins, table runners and candlesticks will all need to be replaced with festive alternatives, not to mention you will need a holiday-inspired centerpiece to tie everything together. When picking a color palette, many homes rely on the standard “Red and Green.” However, selecting a non-traditional theme for your table can be a fun and festive way to start the holiday season. A silver and gold color combination creates a luxurious look, while icy blue and white will transform your dining area into a winter wonderland. Neutral tones in browns and greens, with the addition of twigs and pinecones will create an all-natural yet festive feeling.

5. Fill Your Bathroom With Santa’s Little Helpers – The little things also count as Christmas décor, so stock up on “Winter Candy Apple” and “Iced Gingerbread” soap, red and green scented candles, and holiday themed hand towels for your bathrooms and powder baths. A simple basket filled with snow-dusted pinecones can also add character to your bathroom. If you’re feeling really festive, you can even buy red toilet paper.

6. Don’t Forget To Leave Out The Milk & Cookies – Your kitchen island is a great spot to place baked goods, gift baskets and even your favorite nutcracker paired with a giant bowl of holiday nuts. A homemade gingerbread house also looks great on display, and is a delicious decoration that the kids can help with. Remember that a little greenery can go a long way, and can liven up island pendant lights. Last but not least, splurge on an Advent Calendar for your kitchen. The whole family will experience great fun and excitement as they count down the days till Santa arrives.

While certain holiday tasks may seem daunting, such as spending hours rummaging through unlabeled boxes in the attic searching for Christmas lights, decorating your home for the holidays is fun and festive. Utilizing these top 6 “hot-spots” for holiday décor is a great way to liven up your home and “wow” your guests. Feel as though your home is missing one or more of these holiday hot-spots? Contact us today to learn more about the benefits of designing and building a custom home. It would sure make a great Christmas present!

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