There’s that rather awkward period between autumn and Christmas isn’t there? When your pumpkins are still looking perfectly respectable. But everywhere you look someone seems to have put up a Christmas tree. All of a sudden your autumn wreath feels past its best. And you begin to wonder if you should get your fairy lights out too! I rather like the idea of easing into Christmas this year. I want to enjoy Christmas and not resemble some sort of exaustercated pigeon by Christmas day. And the secret to an autumn to Christmas home refresh? Make small, thoughtful changes that build up to the big day. Think cosy textures, warming scents, a little greenery and perhaps a touch of sparkle before the full festive treatment arrives. It’s a much more relaxed way to prepare you and you get to enjoy the process rather than a never ending to do list.
1. Start With Cosy Textures
Before you even begin to think about Christmas, look at the textures in your home. As the evenings draw in and temperatures drop it’s the perfect time to bring out your soft furnishings. Think velvet cushions, chunky knitted throws, soft blankets and curtains that make a room feel warm and sheltered from the world outside. I love the way texture can change the feel of a room without changing a single piece of furniture. Rich reds, deep greens, chocolate browns and warm neutrals all work beautifully through autumn and into winter. And into Christmas.
2. Give Your Bedroom a Winter Refresh
If there is one room that deserves a little seasonal attention, it’s the bedroom. After all we spend a considerable amount of time in there! When it’s cold and dark outside, getting into a welcoming bed becomes one of life’s little pleasures. Swap out your summer bedding for richer colours. Create that cosy feeling. Without even turning the heating up! Then layer up your bed with cushions and add a throw. Think reds, greens or subtle gold touches. Add in your Christmas Bedding once your ready but remember to buy it early if your thinking of adding a new set. You don’t want a frantic day surfing the web only to find everyone’s already sold out!
3. Bring Winter Scents Into Your Home
Seasonal decorating isn’t just about what you can see. How your home smells can make a real difference to the atmosphere too. As autumn gives way to winter start introducing warmer fragrances. Think cinnamon, orange, clove, cedarwood and pine. They bring that cosy feeling without requiring you to change a single thing in the room. Candles, reed diffusers and other home fragrances can all help create a welcoming atmosphere. Start with woody, spicy scents in autumn, then introduce something a little more festive as Christmas approaches. Just remember that a scent should add to the atmosphere rather than overwhelm it. We want a welcoming home not one that smells as though a Christmas pudding has exploded in the hallway!
4. Introduce Greenery Before the Baubles in your Autumn to Christmas Home Refresh
Greenery is one of the easiest ways to bridge the gap between autumn and Christmas. Think evergreen branches, eucalyptus, seasonal foliage and berries. Arrange in a vase, drape across a mantelpiece or use to add interest to a shelf. Let the natural shapes and textures do the heavy lifting for you. As Christmas gets closer, you can introduce alllllllll the extras. Ribbon, pinecones, baubles and of course fairy lights! Let your rooms evolve without having to start from scratch. Start with faux pieces and then add in some evergreen foliage from your garden. The base is all there ready for you when the festivities start to ramp up.
5. Make Garlands and Swags Work Harder
Garlands and swags are fabulous at adding a little drama without decorating every available surface. They also work particularly well during this in between period because greenery feels natural long before Christmas is in full swing and the decorations appear. A garland can be draped along a mantelpiece. Or arranged around a mirror. You can even use them to add a little interest to a doorway. A swag creates a lovely focal point without taking over an entire room. The beauty of swags and garlands is that they do a lot of the work for you. Being a larger decoration with plenty of texture and an interesting shape they add the wow factor without being overly in your face.
6. Change up the Lighting
As we all know the days are getting shorter. As autumn move into winter lighting becomes increasingly important. There is something about switching on a lamp in the late afternoon that makes a room feel instantly more welcoming. And warmer! So ditch the big light, And instead introduce more table lamps for softer pools of light. Oh and don’t forget your fairy lights. Add them to your greenery to give it that extra twinkle. Who wants to wait wait until December to enjoy them! And then, as Christmas approaches, you can add more decorative lighting to your existing arrangements rather than starting afresh. It’s a small change, but one that makes a difference to how a room feels. And unlike a major decorating project, it takes very little effort.
7. Keep the Autumn Decorations That Still Work
One of the easiest ways to make the seasonal transition less expensive is to stop thinking of autumn and Christmas as completely separate decorating schemes. Not everything needs to be packed away just because December is approaching. Wooden accessories, baskets, lanterns, textured fabrics and warm coloured ceramics can all work beautifully throughout the colder months. OK so you might want to put the pumpkins away! But that doesn’t mean the entire autumn colour palette has to disappear with them. Look at what you already own and decide which pieces can stay. Then introduce Christmas decorations around them. This approach creates a more layered look. And saves you money to boot! It also means less packing away, less clutter and fewer boxes to squeeze into the loft.
8. Introduce Festive Details Gradually for your Autumn to Christmas Home
Now for the fun part. Once your home feels warm and cosy, start introducing the decorations that make Christmas feel a little closer. Start with a wreath or a few ornaments on a shelf. Or perhaps some extra greenery on the mantelpiece. Nearer the big day bring out the stockings, Dress the dining table and add more obvious festive touches. There isn’t a rulebook that says you must wait until a particular date. If you love Christmas, enjoy it for as long as you’d like to. And if you prefer to take things slowly, that’s fine too. The whole point of soft launching Christmas is to make the transition feel natural rather than creating another deadline for yourself. Do get ahead of the curve and buy your Christmas decorations early though. You working towards a cohesive look by the big day.
9. Add a Little Sparkle
You really don’t have to go from autumn leaves to a house full of glitter in one afternoon. A few small details here and there adds a little festive magic without overwhelming the rest of your home. Think glass candle holders, metallic accessories, decorative stars or a handful of baubles added in with the logs in your fireplace. The trick is to choose pieces that complement what you already have but going subtle with the decorations at first. Try adding sparkle to your existing greenery. Then as Christmas gets closer you can build on these details until the whole room feels ready for the festivities. It’s about creating an atmosphere, not competing with the neighbours for the most decorated house on the street. Although my husband may disagree with me on the one 🙂
10. Bring Everything Together for Christmas
When you’re ready, it’s time for the full on festive treatment. Get the Christmas tree down from the loft, unpack your favourite decorations. Enjoy an hour making a wreath for the front door. Add the finishing touches that make your home feel like yours. Because you’ve already introduced the textures, colours, greenery and lighting your Christmas decs will sit naturally within the scheme. Don’t feel you have to follow a particular trend or buy everything in matching sets either. Mix old favourites with new finds! Christmas is personal. It’s about the memories attached to those slightly wonky ornaments. The traditions you look forward. And the new memories you will make with family and friends. Do what makes you happy.
A More Relaxed Way to Welcome Christmas
The autumn to Christmas home refresh doesn’t need to happen overnight. In fact, I think there is something rather lovely about letting your home evolve as the season progresses. Start with warm textures, introduce winter scents and greenery, then add lighting. Just add the festive details and the sparkle when the time feels right for you. And when Christmas does finally arrive, you won’t have spent the whole of November rushing around trying to make everything perfect. You’ll have way more time to enjoy the process by getting Christmas done by December. And you won’t fall asleep head first in your roast turkey! Get ahead of the curve like me. Christmas has landed at Very.co.uk btw. They’re all about families and making life manageable with the Christmas shop already open and ready for business.
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