Christmas 2023 is almost here! This greatly anticipated holiday is something that many will look forward to all year long. Ok, maybe I'm just speaking from personal experience here. However, when most think of Christmas they will imagine a warm, cracking fire, surrounded by Christmas lights and family. There might even be a hint of cinnamon in the air. All of these experiences can put even the most "Grinch" type individuals into the Christmas spirit. Xmas is also all about decorating but it's hard knowing where to start. So, we consulted EZ Living Furniture Interior Designer Gerard Murphy to give every reader some expert Christmas decorating advice.
Whether you’re hosting Christmas dinner this year for family and friends or celebrating alone, decorating is an essential part of the holidays. However, using the same Christmas decorations each year can make us lack inspiration. It becomes a chore instead of a joyous activity. But what if I told you that you could “deck the halls” for less than a few gingerbread men? Well, it’s possible and EZ Living Furniture is here to help you completely transform the decorations that you already possess. Our very own friendly neighbourhood…Interior designer, Gerard Murphy has shared with us some simple tips that will help you create your own winter wonderland!
So, pour yourself some hot chocolate, blast some Christmas songs and let’s get rockin’ around the….
Christmas Trees
An artificial tree is something that can be reused, year after year. Yet, with every Christmas, this tree will appear more withered and tired, much to our dismay and our budgets. To combat this, Gerard begins by showing us how best to breathe new life into your Christmas tree without purchasing a brand-new tree.
He opted for on-trend colours and incorporates pink, champagne and a traditional red. Though, to keep the purse strings firmly closed you can use the colours you already own and carry that theme throughout your home for a cohesive look.
“Use smaller baubles at the top of the tree and larger ones towards the bottom”. Gerard also recommends putting baubles and sprays within the branches for a fuller effect and to cover any gaps.
Many will forget the back of the tree. Shur, who would be looking there anyway? Well, this section also requires a few baubles, or you will encounter problems. “People tend to neglect the back of the tree and this creates gaps in the front”. Ah, so that’s what I’ve been doing wrong all these years…
Still struggling to find that perfect Christmas tree? Click here to read The Ultimate Christmas Tree Buyers Guide.
Christmas Tree Skirts
“It was difficult for me to find a tree skirt to match my pink theme, so I went to a fabric shop, bought some pink fabric and draped some voile over it to give it that rippled effect”. If you are lucky enough to have spare pieces of fabric lying around at home, our professional suggests using these as a more cost-effective approach.
Centrepieces
Gerard is a big advocate of buying plain and adding small details to create that magical effect. With the EZ Living Furniture Rho Console Table, our interior guru demonstrates how to decorate a hall table for Christmas with a candelabra.
To help enhance a plain candelabra, our expert gives us some much-needed advice “It’s as simple as adding baubles, pinecones and sprays to give it that extra dimension and they are interchangeable each year, so you can keep the basics but change the smaller items each year”.
Christmas Ornaments
“Coming in the front door, it’s nice to have a friendly face to greet you”. By including small characters and ornaments on a hall table you can easily involve children in the decorating process. A reindeer, Santa Claus or a penguin will keep them preoccupied this Christmas….even if just for 5 minutes.
Wreaths
A wreath is most commonly found hanging on a front door, but it has many other uses according to our mentor, “A wreath can be used as a centrepiece and can go on a coffee table, dining table or sideboard”. By adding any extra baubles or sprays to an ordinary-looking wreath, your centrepiece can be stripped back and repurposed for the following year. And if that doesn’t convince you, a smaller wreath also leaves us with more space for food, better yet!
Garlands
“Make sure your garland drapes down the sides of your fireplace”. If you don’t have a fireplace, don’t worry, Gerard assures us that garlands can be used in multiple areas. “A console table or sideboard is a good alternative to a fireplace”. A candle holder from EZ Living Furniture is placed in the centre of the mantelpiece with two figurines on either side and with that, a balance is created that more than satisfies my OCD tendencies.
Large Ornaments
Not unlike the smaller figurines, by including larger character statues along with the hearth you can fully embrace your inner child without any judgement.
Read: Decorate Your Christmas Tree Like The Pros - Expert Tips and Tricks here.
Not stopping there, our expert wanted to incorporate some foliage with the bigger ornaments. “I added the Scots Pine 3ft tree for a forest feel, with these little trees, they’re very small and you wouldn’t be able to decorate them”.
Home Accessories
There is no better feeling than snuggling up on a sofa with a cosy throw. Gerard demonstrates how adding cushions and throws in the colours you have used throughout your living can further enhance your theme. “You can buy Santa cushions, but for that sophisticated look, go with colours that tie in with everything”.
And there you have it, by following Gerard’s expert and budget-friendly tips, you too can be the envy of all your neighbours this Christmas. So what are you waiting for? It’s as easy as A, B, C, one, two, tree…
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