My 8 Rules for Festive Décor (Without the Clutter or Chaos)

Seasonal

Nov 20

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Every year when the holiday season rolls around, I’m tempted to pull out every sparkly thing I own… ribbons, ornaments, faux greenery, glass jars, twinkle lights… you name it.

And every year, I have to remind myself: just because I have it doesn’t mean I should use it.

I don’t want my home to feel like a holiday pop-up shop. I want it to feel warm, intentional, and seasonal without tipping into chaos.

Over time, I’ve landed on a simple set of rules that help me decorate beautifully while still letting my home breathe.

If you’re aiming for festive but tasteful, these are the eight guidelines I swear by.

1. Start With a Simple Color Palette

Before anything goes up, I choose no more than two or three colors and commit. A limited palette instantly makes everything feel cohesive… even if your pieces come from different stores, years, or styles.

Fall: cinnamon, rust, cream
Winter: eucalyptus green, wheat-toned beige, dark red or deep navy
Coastal Christmas: driftwood gray, pearl white, muted gold

Once you pick your palette, shopping (and omitting) becomes easier. If it doesn’t fit the colors, it stays in the bin.

2. Layer Textures, Not Trinkets

It’s easy to over-decorate when you’re thinking in objects. Instead, think in textures.

Swap in chunky knits, soft linens, woven baskets, or velvety ribbons.

A wool throw or a linen table runner brings just as much seasonal presence as a shelf full of figurines without the visual overwhelm.

When in doubt: add warmth through fabric, not clutter.

3. Let Lighting Do Half the Work

I used to think I needed a variety of lights to create festive décor. Then I discovered what one good lamp and a few candles could do.

Replace harsh overheads with lamps or warm-toned bulbs.
Add soft flicker with flameless candles or string lights tucked into natural elements.
Glowing windows > glowing reindeer display.

Mood over spectacle, every time.

4. Scent Is Part of the Décor

The fastest way to make your home feel seasonal? Make it smell like it.

But — one scent only. Competing plug-ins + candles + stovetop simmer pots will make your guests feel like they walked into a potpourri factory.

Choose a single story:

Citrus & clove for early winter
Cedar & vanilla for cozy nights
Fresh pine if you want that forest-cabin feeling

Let the scent support the space, not dominate it.

5. Bring Nature Inside (Gently)

I love foraging for seasonal greens, branches, berries. Not for extravagance, but for restraint.

A single vase of branches. One simple wreath hung with ribbon. A bowl of pinecones. That’s often all you need.

Nature has texture, movement, and life without screaming “holiday aisle at HomeGoods.”

6. Repetition Beats Variety

One big lesson I’ve learned: repetition feels calmer than randomness.

If I’m using ribbon, I use the same ribbon throughout the house. If I’m adding candles, I group them in pairs or sets. If I place garland, I mirror it somewhere else.

Your eye craves rhythm. Repeating materials or shapes makes everything look more designed, even if it was effortless.

7. Leave Empty Space on Purpose

The biggest difference between cozy and cluttered is often just… space.

Instead of filling every surface, I now leave pauses: an untouched corner, a blank tabletop, a bare wall. Decor needs room to breathe to feel intentional.

Think of styling like music. The silences matter just as much as the sound.