SUBTLE WAYS TO GIVE YOUR HOME THAT CHRISTMAS FEELING

Cushions, vases and throws are a nice easy way to introduce telltale colours of Christmas into your home but if you’re in the market for a big ticket item, a statement chair, ottoman or piece of art would certainly pack a festive punch (and it’s not limited to just Christmas). If you already happen to have a red or green colour scheme try adding statement pops of silver or gold.

Sometimes that Christmassy feeling can be captured in a fragrance. Familiar scents that take you back like pine and cinnamon or cloves and orange. This idea is not only subtle but a great way to trigger all the warm-fuzzies of the festive season without the fuss.

While it’s fair to say that fairy lights aren’t just for Christmas they are a Christmas tradition. Festoon lights on the otherhand are a funky and festive alternative best strung across your outdoor entertaining area in the lead up to the big day and beyond.

Placemats are sometimes a forgotten feature of the everyday table and yet they add a sense of occasion and much needed colour. Whether placed under the fruit bowl or at every meal, metallic or bold botanical cut outs in festive-inspired colours are memorable and special.

Granted, not all house plants will be robust enough or big enough to handle decoration but some will. Whether its a large tropical fern or fiddle-leaf fig, try placing some mini string lights at the base of the pot or throughout the foliage. Just be careful not to do too much damage while decorating!

Besides being a stylish way to store toys and books they can also make a great base for a Christmas tree to sit in (to conceal the bucket, if it’s a live tree!). Or if your tree doesn’t require a base, perhaps use a few decorative baskets around the tree to store all those runaway Christmas gifts (and excess gift wrap after opening).

While there isn’t anything wrong with the sentiment, bunting has come a long way since the gold and red foil days of old. Instead how about choosing something a little more lighthearted and fun like  that other fun sentiment: eat, drink and be merry! Alternatively use oversized foil letters to spell your own greeting!

1. Lucia armchair $999 by Nood | 2. Festoon Lights $99 by Freedom Furniture | 3. Ecoya Madison candle $52.95 by Freedom Furniture | 4. Jason felt botanic placemat $8.99 ea from Briscoes | 5. Kookie 40 LED mini string lights $8 by Warehouse Stationery | 6. Peroni Seagrass Basket from $20 by The Importer | 7. ‘Eat drink be merry’ bunting $29.99 by Freedom Furniture

While there is no right or wrong way to style your home for Christmas perhaps the best thing about the above alternatives is that they can be used individually at other times of the year and for different uses too!

Note: Some ideas mentioned may not be suitable for homes with small children, please use your own judgement when decorating. Prices and products listed are subject to change. We recommend you head in store to find out more.