It’s the holidays again – which means it’s time to set up for possibly dozens of visits from loved ones, cosy moments by the tree, and a chaotic family reunion or two. Tell us – do you think your home’s ready?
If not, don’t fret. We’re here to help you create the perfect warm and inviting atmosphere for the upcoming festivities!
1. Quick & Festive Decor Ideas
The best thing about festive decor is that it can be marvellously easy to spread around the house. If you’re pressed for time, you can even do it by simply incorporating a few holiday-themed items into your current decor!
One of the best examples is the humble throw pillow. Swap your usual throw pillows with Christmas-themed ones that have motifs like snowflakes and reindeer.
The same thing can be done with blankets. Toss a nice knitted blanket in red and green over the back of a couch, and you’ll be surprised by how quickly it changes the room.
Other ideas to consider are festive centrepieces for dining and coffee tables, holiday-themed curtains, and mini Christmas trees!
Alternatively, if you want something unique, try a stylish rug instead of a traditional tree skirt. A round woven rug, sheepskin-style rug, or white fluffy rug creates a beautiful foundation. The perfect rug can do a lot!
For small Singapore homes, a compact rug base can visually anchor a slim or tabletop tree. You can also look for tufted rugs or a hand-tufted rug in the classic red, white, and green colours.
By the way, you can even use a foldable paper Christmas tree for the tree itself. It’s convenient and easy to keep after the festive seasons.
You can also add festive greenery suitable for Singapore. Greenery is central to holiday decor, but you have to consider that it won’t last long in our tropical weather.
A good solution to keeping it as fresh as it looks in your IG feed is to choose quality faux greenery or mix it with tropical foliage that can withstand our climate. Here are some options for the latter that you can style in wreaths, garlands, or vases:
- Eucalyptus – aromatic, chic, and long-lasting
- Orchids – elegant and long-blooming, but require moisture
- Anthuriums – their glossy red fits right in with holiday palettes
- Herbs like rosemary or thyme – add greenery and pleasing scents
As for faux greenery, you can try these:
- Faux pine or fir garlands
- Artificial berry stems
- Evergreen wreaths
These work especially well on balconies, by windows, or near the entryway where heat can be harsher. They won’t suffer as much as real shrubs or plants.
A smart Singapore-friendly approach here is to use a faux base with fresh accents. For example, hang a faux pine wreath dotted with fresh eucalyptus or anthuriums. Or try a faux garland woven with real monstera leaves for a tropical woodland look.
Simply refresh the organic elements every week or two!
2. Creative Lighting Solutions
This shouldn’t be a surprise to anyone – after all, Christmas lights have long been a part of the decor for this holiday. In fact, some people take such pains to set theirs up that they become attractions in their own right!
Now, you don’t need to take things to that level. There’s no point in setting up your own Christmas-light ship unless you’re responsible for the displays at Gardens by the Bay or something to that effect. Instead, aim for something that captures your style.
You can achieve a restrained and elegant look with monochromatic golden lights, for example. Or you can string up lights in multiple colours for a whimsical touch.
If you want something more convenient and personalisable, consider getting smart LED string lights. A lot can be programmed for specific lighting schedules, aside from offering no end of colour combinations, though they tend to cost more than traditional string lights.
3. Festive Fragrances
Festive essential oils may also help set the stage for this season. Decor isn’t just about what you can see, after all. Sometimes, it’s also about scents!
Reed diffusers that last longer in humid climates
In Singapore, the textures of “winter cosiness” can feel out of place due to our climate, however. So, you have to use scents and tactile elements that feel festive without adding heat or heaviness.
Look for holiday scents that work in our humidity. Avoid cloying ones that tend to work better in winter countries (like amber and vanilla).
Good options here might be citrus blends like orange, mandarin, and neroli. Cinnamon and clove are also properly festive yet stable in warm climates.
Alternatively, you can try to trick your senses by using things like pine or fir essential oils to simulate the “winter forest” vibe. Pair them with pine-look faux garlands and gold berries to make it even more convincing!
4. Themed Colour Schemes
We suggested something like this earlier: basically, an easy way of redecorating for the holidays is to use cohesive holiday colour palettes for the changes. Red, green, and white are excellent options for Christmas, as we said before, along with teal and white.
You can look up popular colour palettes for the holiday online to get a sense of what each one looks like. A good idea here is to set those palettes against what you already have in your decor. Get a tablet, open a palette on it, and then hold it up while looking at your existing decor behind it.
What’s the purpose of doing this? Simply to help you find palettes that won’t require you to get rid of or replace too many things in your current decor. It’s a great way to get options that look great but require less fuss!
5. Appropriate Customised Elements
This is arguably an extension of the tip about making your own decorations – the only difference is that you won’t be making these yourself. The idea behind this type of customised decor is that professionals make it with your input instead.
Why is this a good holiday decor idea? Because it’s technically easy (you don’t do the crafting yourself), allows you to make your spaces look festive enough for gatherings, and – depending on the item’s design – can even match holiday colours (see our previous tip!).
For example, we have a fair number of clients who ask for a lot of red shades in their custom rugs. These same rugs can very easily fit in a Christmas-decor setting thanks to that!
Let us help you put together your own bespoke piece of decor
If you like the last tip, we can help with that. Reach out to us about getting your own custom rug, possibly in time for the holidays, and let us help you complete the look you’re aiming for.
Our team will bring your vision to life, as we’ve done with many other Singaporeans’ rugs and carpets. Our skilled artisans can produce a custom rug designed just for you, whether with simple geometrics or intricate patterns.
We can discuss everything you may want and need in a consultation, from colours and materials to shape and design. If you’re interested in figuring out what’s best for you now, reach out to The Rug Maker.
