Interior designers offer expert advice for holiday home design, decorating

Submitted

November 21, 2022

This paid piece is sponsored by Montgomery’s.

Has “decking the halls” left you feeling in need of a little holiday home updating?

There are plenty of ways to update your space for the season – and beyond – with a little help from the experts.

“For a while, everyone gravitated to gray and white, and now we’re seeing trends shift to more natural colors,” said Lauren Peterson, a design consultant at Montgomery’s in Madison.

“We’re seeing greens and rusts coming back, and that also can be very timely if you’re looking for an update for the holidays.”

Whether you’re preparing to entertain at home, looking to add a little sparkle for your own enjoyment or just trying to find the best place to place your Christmas tree, the Montgomery’s team is waiting for personalized advice.

But in the meantime, we asked them to weigh in on easy adjustments you can make to create a “home for the holidays” you’ll love.

The dining experience

The holiday season kicks off with the mother of all meals: Thanksgiving. So whether you’re hosting this Thursday or preparing for another holiday dining event, assessing your dining space can make a big difference.

“We have a lot of dining furniture available right now,” Peterson said. “You can customize it to your specific wood species, two-tone it like using a white and a gray or a wood and black, or consider something like a trestle table we offer that has three butterfly leaves in it. It can seat about six when closed but open up to double in size.”

Make sure your lighting is appropriate for the space, she added.

“A lot of times, people don’t think about updating the lighting in their dining space, but it can really transform the room,” Peterson said. “We have chandeliers, sconces and more available to take today or order.”

And finally, don’t forget about the centerpieces for your dining table.

“You don’t want those too high so they’re blocking guests or conversation,” Peterson said. “For instance, we have a nice wooden bowl in multiple sizes, and you can decorate it with pumpkins or greens or florals and adjust depending on the occasion.”

Make the space functional and interactive, added Alex Reff, a design consultant at Montgomery’s in Aberdeen.

“Have the table dressed well and stocked with hors d’oeuvres as an option before the big meal,” he suggested. “When in doubt, symmetry is a safe and effective route — something as simple as a small bouquet with a couple flaked candlesticks on either side and a few woven or real mini pumpkins with fun colors.”

Want to get away from traditional reds, oranges and yellows?

“Try using fun pinks and vibrant greens, a nice floral bouquet accented with pomegranates, some greens and candlesticks to keep it simple.”

Easy home updates

Are you looking ahead to the holiday season and less than excited to welcome guests into your space? Some simple updates or redesigns might be in order.

“When I do space planning for clients, I always plan for how the space is used daily and how it is used  for entertaining,” said Kayla Hathaway, a design consultant at Montgomery’s in Sioux Falls.

“Some ideas are as simple as ordering a matching dining bench in addition to your chairs at a dining table. For daily use, place the bench inside an entryway or at the end of a bed. When the holidays roll around, use the bench for additional seating at the expanded table. It will match and look finished and intentional. I also recommend using additional dining chairs in a home office or vanity.”

If you’ve not stopped in a showroom lately, you might be surprised at all the options that exist.

“There are so many innovative pieces of furniture being created,” Reff said. “One thing I love is a self-storage table. Some will store three 18-inch leaves in them! That gives a person hosting for the holidays less headaches when it comes to eat.”

Need a little extra seating in your living space? The design consultants agree: Go with poufs.

“They’re an especially great option for children and young adults,” Reff added.

They double as accents or decorative pieces, Peterson said. And ottomans “can store things year-round,” she continued. “You can use it as a coffee table, a foot rest or a bench.”

Easy additions such as new lamps, rugs, throws or pillows “also can really transform a space,” she continued.

“Sometimes, clients will come in with photos of their rooms on a phone, and we can look at that or do a house call and help you find some pieces that are available today and can make an immediate impact on a room.”

The holiday decor

Now that you’re loving the furniture, it’s time to truly deck the halls.

“I always say don’t overdo it,” Peterson said. “Mix in accessories you have with holiday accents. Something like a glass bowl can be very nice. You can put ornaments in it, but you also can put florals in it, so there’s year-round use.”

Montgomery’s has a wide selection of winter florals available now.

“You can do some whites and reds for Christmas and maybe add something glittery in silver or some white sticks that carry you into winter,” Peterson said. “We also have beads in the store on a long string that can be used in centerpieces, to decorate a tree or to wrap around a lamp to bring some fun to the base. They go for all seasons and are becoming popular.”

And if you’re stumped with how best to arrange your Christmas tree in a room, you don’t have to go it alone.

“Having a second set of eyes on your space can give you a fresh idea on how to utilize your space more efficiently. It’s quite common that I plan out where a Christmas tree will fit best in a client’s living room and how to best rotate furniture for the holidays,” Hathaway said.

“My goal for my clients is to have them utilize and enjoy their space to its full potential, whether it is just a night at home alone or a house full of people entertaining for the holidays.”

You also can’t go wrong keeping your decor simple, Reff said.

“We’re seeing classic looks from the past with a botanical or cottagecore-inspired decor, with vintage-inspired accessories and a lot of natural elements,” he said. “I have also seen a big emphasis on elegant barware and sophisticated dinnerware.”

Ways to save

Of course, we’re all looking to save where we can this holiday season, and there are lots of ways to snag a deal coming up at Montgomery’s.

  • Nov. 25, Black Friday: Beat the Clock savings will be offered in addition to sales and discounts rarely offered. From 9 to 10 a.m. you’ll save 15 percent, from 10 a.m. to noon you can take 10 percent off, and you’ll save 5 percent from noon to 7 p.m.
  • Nov. 26, Small Business Saturday: Save an additional 10 percent on accessories all day, plus sign up in the store to win a custom floral arrangement valued at up to $400.
  • Nov. 28, Cyber Monday: Special sale prices on items will be available only through Facebook Live sales at all four locations
  • Give & Save: This is definitely the best way to save all season! With every donation of 15 nonperishable food items, get a 15 percent discount on qualifying furniture, accessories and mattresses through Dec. 12.

Complimentary home design sets Montgomery’s Whole Home Experience apart

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