The holiday season is upon us, which means it’s the perfect time to transform your home into a festive wonderland. Whether you’re a seasoned decorator or a rookie holiday enthusiast, the art of Christmas decorating can be both exciting and challenging. To help you deck your halls with your own style and flair, Louisiana Nursery’s home décor design specialist, Kyla Leggett, shared some of her expert tips. Kyla has been the mastermind behind Louisiana Nursery’s iconic display trees for many years, which makes her the ideal person to guide you on your holiday decorating journey.
Choose a look or theme.
“When it comes to Christmas decorating, the first step is to explore a range of looks and themes that resonate with you,” Kyla advises. “You can draw inspiration from the charming, eclectic mix of decorations, or delve into a classic Nutcracker-inspired theme. Determine your primary colors to guide your décor choices.”
Pick the perfect ribbon.
When selecting ribbon for your tree and décor, Kyla recommends considering both size and color. She suggest choosing ribbon in three sizes: one inch, two inch and four inch. The colors should complement your overall décor theme.
Don’t forget your floral wire.
Kyla said floral wire can be underestimated, but it’s actually a handy tool for securing ornaments, ribbon and other decorations. The wire will hold everything in place and keep your décor intact throughout the entire holiday season.
Bows are an essential tree accent.
Kyla’s rule of thumb for bows is simple and elegant. “I usually put the same number of bows on a tree as the tree’s height,” she said. “This ensures a balanced and visually appealing look.”
Choose a mixed array of ornaments.
“Ornaments are the heart of your Christmas tree,” Kyla said. “Select a variety of sizes and shapes to add depth and interest. Mix round ornaments in large and small sizes (ranging from two inches to eight inches), finial ornaments (five inches to nine inches) and character ornaments of any size. Also, consider various shapes like onion, teardrop, snowflake, icicles, vintage, angels and instruments. The choices are endless!”
Mix in silks and picks.
“When it comes to silk flowers and decorative picks, variety is key,” Kyla said. “Choose flowers, leaves, wispy items, and some that drape. Always buy odd numbers of each – three, five or seven of each type.” Just like with bows, Kyla recommends placing the same number of groupings as the height of your tree.
Think of decorating as creating floral arrangements on your tree.
“A balanced look can be achieved by grouping picks and silks in odd numbers,” Kyla said. “Mix in items with leaves, draping elements and wispy accents for a harmonious display.”
Select accessories that complement your tree.
Once you’ve finished the tree, additional elements like a tree skirt or miniature trees for a mantle or tabletop can tie your holiday décor together beautifully. Garland can be used throughout the home as well, in areas like mirrors, doors, tables and kitchen islands. “Mixing more than one type of garland can give you a full and realistic look,” Kyla said. “You can even combine fresh garland with artificial to achieve that beloved Christmas smell. Enhance your garland with ribbon and ornaments that match your overall décor theme. This will create a cohesive and festive atmosphere throughout your home.”
In addition, wreaths can be placed on doors, mirrors, windows and even range hoods for a magical touch. These come in various sizes that can work in different spaces. Choose wreaths that time into your décor’s overall theme and colors.
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