It’s the most wonderful time of the year, and decking the halls is a beloved tradition for many. However, there’s a fine line between festive and cluttered, and unfortunately, it’s easy to cross.
With a little planning and a keen eye for detail, you can create a holiday home that’s stylish, welcoming, and most importantly, neat.
Here are 12 common Christmas decorating mistakes that can make your home look messy and how to avoid them.
1. Overcrowding Your Space with Decorations
We all love a Christmas decoration, but too much of a good thing can quickly turn into visual clutter. Overcrowding your space with decorations can make your home feel cramped and chaotic, rather than cozy and festive. It’s better to choose a few key pieces and arrange them thoughtfully, rather than trying to cram every corner with tinsel and baubles.
Instead of overloading your space, consider adopting a minimalist approach to your Christmas decor. This doesn’t mean you have to forego the festivities, but rather, focus on quality over quantity. A few well-placed ornaments can create a sense of calm and order, making your home feel more spacious and inviting.
2. Ignoring the Color Scheme of Your Home
While traditional Christmas colors like red and green can add a festive touch, they might not necessarily blend well with the existing color scheme of your home. If your decor clashes with your regular home decor, it can create a jarring effect that feels messy and disjointed.
Instead, consider choosing Christmas decorations that complement your home’s color palette. For example, if your home is decorated in cool tones, consider silver and blue Christmas decorations. If your home has warm tones, gold and red might be a better fit. A cohesive color scheme can make your home feel more put together and harmonious.
3. Not Distributing Decorations Evenly
When it comes to Christmas decorating, balance is key. If all your decorations are concentrated in one area, it can create a lopsided effect that feels cluttered and disorganized. Instead, try to spread your decorations evenly throughout your home to create a sense of balance and flow.
One easy way to achieve this is by decorating in zones. Start with one area, such as your living room, and then gradually add decorations to other areas of your home. This will help to create a cohesive look that feels balanced and harmonious, rather than chaotic and overwhelming.
4. Leaving Old, Damaged Decorations up
There’s a certain charm in using the same decorations year after year. However, if those decorations are old, damaged or faded, they can make your home look untidy. Scrutinize each item and consider whether it’s adding to the festive spirit or just creating clutter.
Don’t hold onto decorations that have seen better days. If they’re damaged beyond repair, it’s time to let them go. Instead, invest in some new decorations that you love and that will last for years to come. You’ll be surprised at how much of a difference this simple change can make.
5. Forgetting to Decorate the Exterior
While it’s important to create a festive atmosphere inside your home, don’t forget about the exterior. Your home’s exterior is the first thing people see, so it’s important to make a good impression. If you neglect to decorate the outside of your house, it can look bare and uninviting compared to the festive interior.
Decorating the exterior of your house doesn’t have to be a big production. A simple wreath on the door, some twinkling lights around the windows, or a few tastefully placed decorations in the yard can make a big difference. Remember, less is often more when it comes to exterior decorations.
6. Neglecting the Tree’s Proportions
It’s easy to get carried away when decorating the Christmas tree. However, neglecting the tree’s proportions can make it look messy and cluttered. A tree that’s overloaded with ornaments, especially if they’re all the same size, can look overwhelming and unbalanced.
Try to use a mix of large, medium, and small ornaments to create a sense of balance and depth. Start with the larger ornaments, spacing them evenly around the tree, then fill in the gaps with the smaller ones. This will create a more balanced look and make your tree look less chaotic. You can find more tips here.
7. Overdoing the Lights
We all love the twinkling magic of Christmas lights, but it’s easy to overdo it. Too many lights can be overpowering and can create visual clutter. Instead of going all out with the lights, try to use them sparingly and strategically to create a warm, cozy atmosphere.
Choose lights that complement your decor and use them to highlight key areas of your home. For example, a string of fairy lights can add a magical touch to your mantlepiece, while a few carefully placed candles can create a warm, inviting glow. Remember, when it comes to Christmas lights, less is often more.
8. Clashing Different Styles of Decorations
While it’s tempting to buy every cute decoration you see, mixing too many different styles can make your home look cluttered and disorganized. It’s better to stick to one or two styles and create a cohesive look.
Choose decorations that complement each other and your existing decor. For example, if your home is modern and minimalistic, opt for sleek, contemporary decorations. If your home is more traditional, vintage-style decorations might be a better fit. A cohesive style can make your home look more put-together and less chaotic.
9. Not Paying Attention to Scale
For example, if you have a small living room, a huge Christmas tree might overwhelm the space. Instead, opt for a smaller tree and scale down your decorations accordingly. On the other hand, if you have a large, open-plan living area, you can afford to go bigger with your decorations. Just make sure they’re proportionate to the space.
10. Forgetting to Store Everyday Items
When you’re decking the halls, it’s easy to forget about everyday items. However, leaving your normal clutter out can make your home look messy, even with the festive decor. Be sure to clear away everyday items before you start decorating.
This might mean finding a temporary home for your usual tabletop decor to make room for the Christmas decorations, or clearing away toys and clutter to create a clean canvas for your festive decor. A tidy home will let your Christmas decorations shine and create a more welcoming atmosphere.
11. Keeping Decorations up Past Their Prime
While it’s hard to say goodbye to the festive season, keeping your Christmas decorations up for too long can make your home look messy and neglected. Most people take down their decorations in early January, but the exact timing is up to you.
When it’s time to pack away the decorations, take the opportunity to declutter and organize. This will make it easier to decorate next year and will leave your home looking neat and tidy. If you’re unsure when to take down your decorations, this guide might help.
12. Neglecting to Add Personal Touches
Finally, while it’s important to have a cohesive theme and style, don’t forget to add personal touches. Your home should reflect your personality and taste, so don’t be afraid to incorporate elements that are uniquely you.
Whether it’s handmade ornaments, treasured family heirlooms, or decorations that reflect your hobbies and interests, personal touches can make your home feel more warm and inviting. Plus, they’re a great conversation starter for when you have guests over.