The Dos and Don’ts of Holiday Decorating Designers Want You to Know

For most people, the holidays center around picking out the perfect presents for your favorite people and watching festive films. However, if you have a penchant for interior design, it’s all about the decorations. (For the average homebody, the holiday season is our decorating Super Bowl.)

But while it might be your natural inclination to deck your halls with boughs of holly, there is a fine line between decorations that are cheerful and cheesy. Not only do you have to find a happy medium, but West Coasters also have the unique challenge of weaving the holiday spirit into their surroundings. After all, the winter wonderland can feel at odds with palm trees and deserts.

To help, we tapped two designers for their biggest dos and don’ts for perfect holiday decor. With any luck, these pointers will keep your home merry, bright, and oh-so marvelous.

Design by Yvonne Harty; Photo by Build Media

Do: Take Advantage of Texture

It’s true: There’s no place like home for the holidays. If you want to make your space feel warm and inviting, experiment with texture.    

“Fluffy throws, woven baskets, faux-fur stool covers are all perfect accents for that extra holiday coziness,” says Yvonne Harty, a designer in Sacramento. “They add just the right amount of wintery feeling without making it feel heavy or overly themed.”

For a look that’s simultaneously stylish and snuggly, mix and match various textures in the same shade. With a simpler color scheme, you can enjoy the subtle, tactile nuances of the comforting materials.

Design by Peggy Haddad; Photo by Amanda Proudfit Photography

Don’t: Settle for a Stale Color Scheme

Red and green might be status quo, but Peggy Haddad says you shouldn’t feel boxed into using the usual shades. “On the West Coast especially, holiday styling should feel light, playful, and even boldly unique—not heavy or overly wintry,” the Denver designer explains. “When you’re not working with snowy views or cozy gray skies, saturated hues bring instant holiday energy.”

Instead of sticking with the norm, Haddad likes to interject unexpected shades like dusty rose, hot pink, and cobalt blue. “Color keeps things joyful, fresh, and reflective of where you actually live,” she adds. 

Design by Yvonne Harty; Photo by Build Media

Do: Incorporate Greenery

We love nutcrackers and gingerbread houses as much as the next decorating enthusiast, but if you’re looking for a holiday decor that has a sense of place, look to Mother Nature for inspiration. “On the West Coast we’re surrounded by sunshine and citrus, not blizzards,” Harty explains. Most people decorate with pine needles, but the designer uses “lighter, airier” greenery such as cedar, eucalyptus, and olive branches. In fact, simply adding a thin layer of twinkling lights will make these breezy plants holiday-ready. “It still feels festive, but suitable for California,” she says.

Don’t: Overlook the Outdoors 

When most people think about the holidays, they probably envision a season spent snuggling up in the great indoors. But since many parts of the West Coast have wonderful weather year-round, you don’t want to neglect your outdoor space. As Harty says, a backyard is the extension of your home. “The lifestyle on the West Coast is built around indoor-outdoor living, so your outdoor living spaces should get just as much holiday love as the living room,” she explains. “Decorating your outdoor living areas makes the whole house feel cohesive and festive.”

There’s no one way to decorate your interiors, and the sky’s the limit for your al fresco spots, too. Have an outdoor kitchen? Consider adding some jolly melamine to the mix. You can also add a Christmas tree to your porch or throw pillows near your firepit. Harty’s favorite way to dress up your backyard? Soft, warm lights. 

“It’s the secret sauce to creating that perfect holiday setting,” she says. “Add a few twinkle lights and candles throughout for extra coziness. And with a crackling fireplace, your guests won’t want to leave.”