The festive season is upon us; a special time for celebration, merriment, goodwill, family and friends. Whether you are hosting an open house, have visitors coming to stay or are spending your first Christmas, or one of many in Dubai, here are some simple and stylish tips and inspiration to prepare and style your home for the festive season.
First, pick a festive colour scheme and style that complements your home and reflects your personality. The traditional Christmas colour scheme is red and green. This classic and timeless combination works well but for a quick and fashionable variation, add red or green tartan furnishings or opt for a modern twist on traditional green and red by using lime green and raspberry in homes that are decorated in neutral tones.
For added sparkle and glamour, metallics such as gold or silver make great complementary colours and can also be used to create a contemporary look. Blues and silvers meanwhile are perfect for a cooler vibe and purple and gold create a richer aesthetic.
If you want to break with tradition, the 'hot' colour theme this year is the classic pairing of black and white. Simply add black, white or glass Christmas decorations or be bold and use a statement piece, such as a black artificial Christmas tree. For that extra festive glamour, introduce accent pieces in red or metallic colours such as silver, gold or copper. With this colour scheme, you can seamlessly host both Christmas and New Year festivities with little need for change.
When choosing material based décor, consider different fabric textures as this adds dimension and character to a room. For a contemporary style, a white fur cushion will add a hip, cool and icy feel, for a rustic style, a hessian based Christmas tree mat will add a simple rural homely feel while red or green satin scatter cushions add sparkle and depth. Alternatively, you might like to opt for a printed fabric with Christmas designs, to inject a playful festive spirit into your home.
Christmas home styling does not need to be complicated. In addition to the usual, you can quickly and stylishly introduce your festive colour scheme through scatter cushions and throws, Christmas tree mats and tableware such as table runners, place mats and napkins.
When choosing your Christmas décor it is important to reflect your family traditions by incorporating into your styling a couple of meaningful items. They can include anything from, a special tree topper, a meaningful Christmas ornament, a selection of your children's handmade Christmas decorations or that special family Christmas photograph.
Festive interior design is not just about creating a visually pleasing space; it should also indulge your other senses too. Playing Christmas music or movies in the background, perfuming your home with the scents of Christmas such as cinnamon, cloves, frankincense or fresh greenery and displaying a selection of Christmas treats such as a bowl of festive candy and chocolates are all finishing touches to your Christmas holiday home makeover. Happy Holidays!