5 Best Tips for Arranging Your Holiday Decor

I would imagine if you’re here with me, you love decorating for the Holidays as much as I do. It’s a chance to use your creative mind to do something “different” with the room. To put away the everyday accessories and to show off the treasured pieces you’ve enjoyed in your family for many, many years.

Here are 5 of my BEST TIPS for arranging your accessories….Holiday Style!

#1 Use Odd Numbers

It is more pleasing to the eye if you use an odd number. This is because the brain is trying to “close the loop” of what it’s seeing. By leaving part of the “equation” off, you’ve left the loop open, which makes it more interesting.

#2 Group Like Items Together

To further the idea of making sense of your accessories, try to group them in little “vignettes”.

by this I mean, tell a story. And then, leave a little breathing room between one grouping and the next.

#3 Follow The Shape of a Triangle

Accessorizing is all about what makes the brain happy. By using a “mountain” shape, once again you’re telling a story. We tend to view from left to right so we are starting at the low end of the mountain, climbing to the peak and then back down to the other side. It’s another way of satisfying the brain with what it sees.

I know, I know. He isn’t going to sit for long but you get the idea!

#4 Contain Items Within Another Item

Using an empty tray, bowl, box, etc. can also help to create stories or vignettes. By containing your accessories within another item, you naturally leave a margin and give the “eye” time-or a resting place-to take in what it’s seeing and then to make sense of it.

#5 Use Only What You Love

At the Holidays, it is even more important to display only the items you love. This will bring meaning to your home and help to create a cozy feeling for those who come to visit.

As my gift to you this Holiday season, here is my mother-in-law’s Homemade Cranberry Sauce.

Psst! It’s a secret! Enjoy!

16 oz. fresh cranberries, rinsed.

2 c. sugar

1 c. fresh orange juice

1 T. orange zest

1-1/2 T. peeled, minced fresh ginger

Combine all in a medium saucepan.

Cook on medium heat until all berries pop open (about 10 minutes).

Skim foam off top at the end of cooking.

Cool completely.

Refrigerate covered up to 2 months. Longer if frozen.

If you’d like these and more ideas on accessorizing your home, download my Baker’s Dozen:  Rules for Accessorizing Your Home in the DIY Outlet.