By Nicole Powell

The holidays are about family, friends, traditions, and making lasting memories. This time of year should be stress free and enjoyable, so we’ve put together a list of quick and easy holiday decorating tips for any style or budget.

The Power of Theme

You might be fond of Santa figures, snowmen, or angels. You may even want to adorn your home using a color theme, such as red and gold or black and white. Either way, you’ll likely gravitate toward decorations in your chosen theme. Tip: Collections create more interest when arranged together to provide a focal point that may be lost if separated.

Repeat, Repeat, Repeat

Add consistency throughout your holiday décor by repeating colors, themes, and decorating elements within the home. If your choice is red and gold, for example, use red and gold on your front-door wreath, on your stairway garland, on your Christmas tree, and in your tabletop centerpiece. Tip: Purchase easily interchangeable items such as pillows, florals, table linens, and candles in your chosen color to use year-round.

Vary the Proportion

Vary the size of the elements you use in the décor. For example, decorate your tree with a mix of small, medium, and larger ornaments. Or, pair candlesticks in varying heights and widths for more interest. You can even mix light sizes on the tree; as long as they coordinate with your color scheme, the possibilities are endless. Tip: Use books, boxes, or pedestals to make items appear taller or to give them added height.

Don’t Forget Texture

Remember to mix textures in your holiday displays. Use matte as well as shiny glass ornaments in your tree or wreath. Add in sparkling crystal, glittering garlands, fragrant holiday candles, snow-covered pinecones, or any other elements that will contribute to your theme and color scheme. Tip: Bowls filled with fruit and other decorative items can be easily changed according to the holiday or season.

By Kailie McNabb

1.    Diminish the clutter Cleaning the clutter around the house means taking down all old picture frames, personal items, and collectibles, and cleaning and organizing common living areas. This will help the potential homebuyers see the space, and visualize it as if it were theirs. Any disorganization in the home can make or break a sale.

2.    Staging To stage a home means to prepare a house that might be empty. It means accessorizing and furnishing as if somebody were living in it, as with model homes. The key to staging is preparing certain focus areas like the kitchen, family room or great room, master bedroom, and bathroom. In doing this, you will create a sense of warmth and comfort as well as an opportunity for the potential homebuyers to see how to efficiently utilize the space. This is why hiring a professional designer can be a great asset in selling your home.

3.    Neutralize the home If your home has many different concepts or themes throughout the rooms, this can distract potential buyers. Painting the entire home a neutral color allows for more creativity and incorporation of the buyer’s tastes. It also creates a visual openness in the home, which can be great if the dwelling is small or has low ceilings.

4.    Lighting This is probably the most important detail in getting a home ready to sell. Lighting is the key to overall ambience. Setting a mood for an open house or showing can be a key element in the design of the home. Taking out fluorescent lamps and fixtures and replacing them with recessed lighting can update a home while being cost-effective. You can also light candles to establish that warm and inviting feel (be sure that someone’s at home while the candles are lit). This will help to create a good first impression.

5.    Curb Appeal This is the most missed stage in preparing a home to sell. If you have weeds, dead plants, and unswept walkways, people will be deterred from stopping and looking. Take the time to plant new flowers in your flowerbeds, repot trees and bushes, and make sure all weeds are pulled and all grass is short. Add a delightful welcome sign, too. Remember also that painting the house makes it look new and fresh.

These are all easy ways to lure buyers into your home. Create that cozy atmosphere before they take their first step inside.