Courtney Warren is a Texas-based interior designer whose work has been featured in Real Simple, Better Homes & Gardens, Good Housekeeping, Apartment Therapy, and Today.com. She is a frequent consultant on Fox 4 TV’s Good Day program in Dallas, was ranked in the top 3 percent of interior designers in the US by Houzz.com, and starred in the Dallas episode of TLC’sFour Houses. She delights in helping overwhelmed clients create beautiful spaces—and will never turn down a warm chocolate chip cookie or Diet Dr Pepper.
In decorate-for-the-holidays-git-‘er-done mode, you might overlook the potential of small areas in your home. I’m talking about little spaces that, with a little attention, can make a home feel completely festive and fun! And because these rooms are small, you get a lot of design bang for your buck and with much less effort!
In the laundry room: Take a utilitarian space and make it feel like a celebration to do laundry or chores. Adding a stocking, jolly sign, or merry pillow takes very little time but brings a party feeling to even the smallest task.
In the drop zone or hallway: adding happy red and white items makes each hurried pass-through so much more fun. These items are grouped together because they share a vintage feel and look festive against the white walls and warm hardwood floors.
In the restroom (no, I’m not kidding): powder rooms and kids’ baths are a perfect place to infuse a touch of Christmas cheer and it takes only a few minutes. Adding small evergreen trees, Epsom salts as snow, and lit candles elevate this otherwise overlooked space.
A little goes a long way in here, and because spaces can be tight, be sure to keep things simple. Take it from this mom: overcrowding in a little room can result in broken items or frustration when you are trying to get the kids ready in the morning. Hard tile is unforgiving, so leave the breakables out of these spaces.
Making a home feel celebratory doesn’t have to be difficult. A bit of forethought, a few holiday decor items, and a little time can help you extend the Winter Wonderland feeling throughout your home.
I like to use a mix of new items, vintage items and found items in my spaces. My favorite holiday decor finds are from flea markets and antique stores. If a piece can tell a story or remind me of a childhood memory, even better. My go-to thrifty tip is to shop garage and estates in the off season. You never know what kind of treasures you can find for a dollar in the middle of August!
Stressing over your holiday decor and to-do list? Let me help! Get my holiday E-Book bundle now!
I enjoy decorating for EVERY holiday! Christmas is just 4 weeks away, and my Christmas Decor Package calendar is nearly full, so contact me right away to book your date. My elves and I will be there soon to prep your home for the holidays!