The One Room You Shouldn't Forget to Decorate Before Holiday Guests Arrive, Designers Warn

Preparing a guest room for the holiday season involves thoughtful touches to make visitors feel comfortable and festive. Experts from the hospitality industry, specifically bed and breakfast owners Tamara Ehlin of The Forsyth B&B and Kim McFayden of Ecoshack, offer their insights on how to achieve this. Their recommendations focus on creating a cozy and inviting atmosphere without necessitating a complete room renovation. Floral arrangements are a key element for adding vibrancy. Ehlin suggests incorporating seasonal white or red flowers, such as poinsettias or amaryllis bulbs, along with natural branches in an elegant earthenware vase. She emphasizes a "less is more" approach to ensure the arrangements appear modern and sophisticated. These floral accents instantly introduce a touch of nature and holiday spirit into the guest space. Scented candles are another powerful tool for setting a festive mood. McFayden highlights the impact of classic seasonal aromas. Recommended candles include the Voluspa Baltic Amber, known for its sandalwood and cedar notes, and The White Company Winter Signature candle, which features hints of cinnamon, clove, and orange. The Homesick White Elephant candle, with its sparkling cassis, champagne, and yuzu fizz, is also suggested for its unique festive scent. To enhance comfort and holiday cheer in the bedding area, Ehlin advises incorporating luxurious textiles like velvet and sequins into throw pillows. She cautions against overly kitschy holiday wording, preferring subtle elegance. Additionally, festive-themed pillows and those made from rich materials are recommended to create an instant holiday feel when guests retire to bed. Warm lighting is crucial for creating a cozy ambiance. McFayden suggests using warm Christmas lights by placing them inside glass jars, vases, or wine bottles. This method provides a decorative yet understated festive glow. Specific products like the Home Accents Fairy LED Battery-Operated Light String and Wondershop lights are noted for their warm illumination. A soft throw blanket is considered essential for guest comfort during colder months. McFayden recommends adding a cozy throw at the foot of the bed, suggesting the plush faux fur ombre throw from West Elm and the L.L.Bean Wicked Plush Throw as excellent options. These blankets provide warmth and a sense of relaxation for guests. Practical amenities also contribute to a welcoming environment. Ehlin stresses the importance of a luggage rack in every guest room, especially during the holidays, to help guests manage their belongings. While not strictly decor, options like the Gate House Furniture Folding Wood Luggage Rack or the Pottery Barn Eco Luggage Rack with Tassel Straps are highlighted for their functionality and aesthetic appeal. Natural elements like pine cones can add thematic decor. McFayden enjoys incorporating natural dried pine cones, either alone or combined with string lights in a glass vase. Various pine-themed items, such as the Afloral Box of Natural Pine Cones, Wondershop Christmas LED String Lights with Sugared Pine Cones, and Crate & Barrel Mini Pinecone Candles, are suggested to subtly infuse a holiday atmosphere throughout the room. Evergreen plants, including the Norfolk Pine or lush cedar garlands, are excellent holiday additions. Ehlin notes that greenery always provides a lovely touch. These plants can be decorated with ornaments or string lights, and garlands can be draped over headboards to create a verdant aesthetic. A coffee or tea bar offers guests a comforting hot drink option. McFayden maintains a year-round setup with mugs, seasonal coffees and teas, and appliances like a coffee maker or tea kettle. Examples include the Keurig K-Mini Single Serve Coffee Maker and the Smeg '50s Retro-Style Electric Kettle, along with specialty coffees like Atlas Coffee Club and Hudson Valley Marshmallow Co.'s hot chocolate mix. Wall art or wreaths can transform the room's aesthetic. Swapping regular wall decor for winter-themed items like a wreath is a simple yet effective strategy. Ehlin favors Twisted Pine hoop wreaths for doors or above beds, while the Balsam Hill Winter Wishes Foliage Wreath and framed Amanti Art Vintage Wooded Holiday Trees Canvas are also recommended. The bed itself should be dressed for the season. Both McFayden and Ehlin agree that the bed is the most important feature. McFayden emphasizes a comfortable mattress topper, while Ehlin suggests bedding with subtle prints or festive colors. The Parachute Down Mattress Pad, Crate & Barrel Celeste Organic Spruce Green Solid Quilt, and L.L.Bean Evergreen Percale Sheet Collection are noted for enhancing comfort and style. An accent chair provides both comfort and practicality. If space allows, McFayden recommends an accent armchair for guests to relax, read, or place their clothes. The World Market Tyley Upholstered Chair and the Grandin Road Phoebe Swivel Chair are cited as examples of combining comfort and style. Finally, a sweet treat can leave a memorable impression. Ehlin suggests leaving chocolates on pillows or providing homemade cookies, candies from See's Candies, or hot chocolate mixes like The OG Original Hot Chocolate Mix. These thoughtful gestures contribute to a positive and lasting holiday memory for guests. #HolidayDecor #GuestRoomIdeas #HomeDecor #BedAndBreakfastTips #FestiveAmbiance #InteriorDesign #CozyHome #SeasonalDecor #Hospitality

As the holiday season approaches, many homeowners strive to create a festive and inviting atmosphere. However, everyday household items such as tangled cords, blinking routers, and visible radiators can detract from the desired aesthetic. Design experts emphasize that the goal isn't to completely conceal these elements but rather to integrate them stylishly into the holiday decor, making them blend seamlessly with the seasonal sparkle. One effective strategy involves disguising cords and technology. Tidy up messy cords, particularly those around a Christmas tree, by using slim fabric cord covers along baseboards. Excess cords can be neatly gathered inside a lidded box wrapped with a festive ribbon, transforming a functional item into a decorative accent. Routers, often a visual disruption, can be placed within rattan baskets and topped with a tray of ornaments or other small holiday accessories. Alternatively, draping a decorative textile over accent tables can effectively hide tech gear underneath, adding texture and warmth to the space while keeping eyesores out of sight. Another approach is to strategically use garlands and greenery. Garlands serve more than just decorative purposes; they can act as clever visual guides to divert attention from electrical outlets, cords, or less attractive architectural features. Instead of overwhelming a space with excessive greenery, designers recommend incorporating garlands in areas that frame focal points or guide the eye away from visual clutter. For instance, running a garland along the back of a console table and tucking cords behind it with small hooks can hide them effectively. Incorporating small LED lights into the greenery can make the area appear more purposeful rather than merely concealing something. When using greenery for larger eyesores like radiators, it's crucial to exercise restraint. Tailored, less bulky evergreen garlands, perhaps draped over a mirror or bookcase, can soften edges and conceal outlets. For radiators, greenery should only be added to those with covers to prevent direct contact with heating elements. Styling around practical features, rather than attempting to eliminate them, is also a key recommendation. Unmovable items like vents can be integrated into the decor with a few thoughtful design tweaks. Giving practical items a "handsome uniform" means housing routers in lidded rattan, lacquer, or fabric book boxes that provide ventilation. Radiators can be topped with a marble tray holding candles and matches, while pet gear can be tucked into low, lidded baskets or stage ottomans next to the Christmas tree. The principle is to elevate the container if the item cannot be completely hidden, making it worthy of display. The best decor works doubly, enhancing the holiday spirit while also serving a functional role in concealing utility items or cluttered areas. This approach turns an annoying home eyesore into an intentional part of the holiday theme. Finally, for those with limited space or renters who cannot make permanent changes, soft layers and smart storage offer flexible solutions. Removable and multipurpose pieces are ideal. Folding screens can temporarily partition off pet or children's play areas during gatherings. Skirts on side tables or linens draped over console tables can effectively conceal clutter underneath. Utilizing existing items, such as hooks and ribbons to hide cords along moldings, a tea towel as a seasonal runner on a small table, or a fabric remnant or wreath tied around an unsightly chairback, can make a space look considered rather than makeshift. Ruthless editing and embracing negative space are also emphasized as a luxury in home decor. #HolidayDecor #HomeDesign #InteriorStyling #Decluttering #GuestPreparation #SmartStorage #SeasonalDecorating #DesignTips

This article offers practical advice on how to integrate holiday decor into various rooms of a home, focusing on creating a festive atmosphere through thoughtful design choices. The approach emphasizes leveraging greenery, cozy textures, and decorative accents to enhance the seasonal spirit in each space. The entryway serves as the initial point of holiday welcome, where greenery such as wreaths, mini trees, and winter foliage are suggested to create an inviting ambiance. Additional festive elements like decorative bells or styled ornaments are recommended to complete the festive look. The article highlights that the entryway sets the tone for the entire home's holiday theme, making it a crucial area for initial decoration. For the living room, the article acknowledges the Christmas tree as a central element but also provides alternatives for those who may not have one or prefer to place it elsewhere. The focus shifts to creating a warm and festive environment through layering pillows and throws for added comfort and visual texture. Incorporating winter-themed candles and metallic accents is suggested to introduce sparkle and depth, contributing to a cohesive holiday aesthetic in the main gathering space. The kitchen, often overlooked in holiday decorating, is presented as an opportunity for creative seasonal touches. Suggestions include placing greenery in unexpected areas, styling jars with festive treats, and displaying holiday platters. Filling bowls with seasonal produce is also recommended to add a natural and inviting element to the kitchen's decor, transforming it into a more festive and integrated part of the holiday home. Finally, the dining room is identified as an ideal space for creative holiday decoration, especially for hosting seasonal meals. The article proposes hanging wreaths in unconventional spots and utilizing candles to cast a warm glow. A key recommendation is to establish a holiday color palette through linens, table settings, and centerpieces. This coordinated approach ensures that the dining room exudes a festive spirit, enhancing the dining experience during the holiday season. The article consistently promotes a balanced and integrated approach to holiday decorating across different living areas, ensuring that each room contributes to an overall harmonious and festive home environment. #HolidayDecor #InteriorDesign #ChristmasDecorations #HomeStyling #SeasonalAccents #EntrywayDecor #LivingRoomDecor #KitchenDecor #DiningRoomDecor

While popular spaces like living rooms, bedrooms, and kitchens often receive significant attention during the home decoration process, other areas, despite their potential, are frequently overlooked. Designers suggest that these neglected rooms, often put off or minimally outfitted, possess considerable design opportunities. According to three expert interior designers, the laundry room stands out as the most underrated space in a home that deserves more decorative focus. They highlight that laundry rooms are commonly used yet under-decorated, presenting a chance for creative expression and functional enhancement. Kristina Phillips, founder of Kristina Phillips Interior Design, emphasizes that the laundry room is likely one of the most frequently used spaces in a house, yet it remains largely ignored in terms of design. Rebecca Merritt, founder of Merritt Design Co., echoes this sentiment, pointing out that individuals typically spend five to ten hours per week in their laundry rooms. She suggests that investing a small amount of effort into decorating this space could significantly reduce the chore-like perception of washing and folding clothes. The designers agree that there are no strict rules when it comes to decorating a laundry room, allowing for complete creative freedom to either create a peaceful atmosphere or inject a sense of joy. The goal is to give this functional space the attention it deserves. Decorating the laundry room offers a unique opportunity to embrace bold designs and vibrant colors. Phillips recommends making the laundry room both fun and functional, suggesting elements like patterned floor tiles or area rugs, as well as playful vinyl wall coverings. Incorporating a distinctive light fixture and attractive window treatments can further elevate the space's aesthetic. Michelle Lynne, owner of ML Interiors Group, supports this idea, viewing the laundry room as an ideal area to experiment with design choices that might seem too daring for other parts of the home. This includes using favorite colors, personal hobbies, or other interests to personalize the space, such as opting for a bold-colored washer and dryer. Beyond aesthetics, Lynne also advises integrating practical elements that enhance the room's usability while maintaining a cohesive design. These additions can include ample storage with bins and baskets, dedicated areas for line drying clothes, and even a chalkboard wall. A chalkboard wall, for instance, can serve a dual purpose: a practical space for writing shopping lists and a fun element for leaving cheeky notes to family members. Ultimately, the consensus among designers is that blending fun with functionality is a timeless trend for laundry room design, transforming an often-mundane area into a lively and enjoyable part of the home. By giving the laundry room thoughtful design attention, homeowners can create a space that is both visually appealing and highly efficient. #InteriorDesign #HomeDecor #LaundryRoom #DesignTips #FunctionalDesign #HomeImprovement #DecoratingIdeas