Tasteful, Not Tacky: 6 On-Trend Tips for Decorating Your Home This Holiday Season

1. Make functional updates. Weather-specific upgrades that serve a practical purpose keep your holiday guests feeling ultra-comfortable. They also remind your family that this is a special time of year, when belly-warming feasts and game nights in front of a crackling fire make your space feel homier than ever. An easy way to add some welcome warmth is with a fireplace insert, like this one from Seasonal Design by Ashley with its realistic wood-burning flame effect and thermostat heating device. Little touches like an umbrella stand by the door feel hugely thoughtful to a guest who’s just coming in from the cold and rain.

2. Set a seasonal table. Nothing speaks to late fall abundance like a dining table brimming with goodness, simply add a colorful table runner and top it whatever centerpieces your heart desires. Tuck a few stems of seasonal flowers and greens into elegant vessels, like this pair of sophisticated gold leaf Marcon Vases from The Import Collection. Fill decorative bowls, like these rough-cut, richly textured Chantil Bowls, with seasonal fruits like pomegranates and persimmons. And if you plan to seat your guests at the card table this year, your dining table itself may need an upgrade. This classic, dark-finish Mango X-Back Dining Set by Holland House comes with two 13-inch leaves that can be added for extra holiday company.

3. Take advantage of surface space. Chances are you have plenty of display space around your house that’s not getting much love. Credenzas, bookshelves and wall shelving can all play supporting roles in your seasonal decorating. Accent chests can be topped with candlesticks, string lights,

jars of cranberries and mini evergreen trees. Bookcases can be lined with colored paper for a noncommittal but high-impact seasonal statement. And if you’re already well-stocked on holiday flair, curiosare a great way to make sure you display all of your festive treasures—from great-grandma’s antique Nativity set to that funky pine cone sculpture you picked up on your trip to Holland last summer.

4. Add wintry art. Wall art and sculptures are great ways to infuse your space with seasonally appropriate aesthetic. Black-and-white photography and neutral color schemes look great in winter, like this soothing “Snowed In” canvas printfrom Streamline art. This elegant pair of copper- and bronze-finished Winter Morning wall sculptures by BJ Keith Designs and these antiqued metal Windy Woods tree sculptures are perfect for lending a snow-season feel to your space while still maintaining a sleek and modern look.