The holiday season is here, and your period home deserves to shine. Holiday home decorating in older homes brings a sense of history and tradition, and is much more cost effective than performing a home renovation. However, how do you make sure your festive touches highlight the unique features of your house? Let’s explore festive decorating ideas for heritage homes that will make your holidays unforgettable!
Why Decorate Your Period Home for the Holidays?
Decorating a period home for the holidays isn’t just about putting up a tree. It’s about celebrating the history of your house. The details, like wooden beams, tall windows, and fireplaces, deserve special attention. Period home holiday decorations can transport your family and guests back in time, creating a magical atmosphere. But where do you start?
Key Tips for Holiday Decorating Your Period Home
Getting started with holiday decorating period home style can be daunting. Here’s how to plan your decor while keeping your home’s period charm intact.
1. Work with Your Home’s Architecture
Your home’s design is your best starting point. Use it to guide your decorating choices. Period homes often have unique features that deserve to stand out during the holidays. Here’s how:
- Accentuate fireplaces with garlands and stockings
- Hang wreaths on tall windows and doors
- Decorate bannisters and wooden staircases with greenery
2. Choose the Right Colours
Keep your colour scheme in harmony with your home’s era. Don’t go too modern with bright neons or unnatural colours. For Victorian home Christmas decor, consider deep greens, rich reds, and golds. These colours complement the architecture and add a touch of elegance.
3. Add Vintage Christmas decorations
Nothing says “timeless” like vintage holiday decorations. These can include:
- Brass candle holders
- Handmade ornaments
- Classic nutcrackers and wooden toys
Vintage pieces make a room feel warm and inviting. These decorations also honour the history of your home.
Decorate Each Room with a Unique Touch
Each space in your house deserves its own festive touch. Here’s how to bring elegant holiday home decor to different rooms.
Living Room: The Heart of Festivity
The living room often becomes the centrepiece during the holidays. To bring out the best in your living space, try:
- A tall Christmas tree with traditional baubles
- A garland draped over the mantel
- A festive centrepiece on your coffee table
These touches add to the festive holiday decor and create a space perfect for gathering.
Dining Room: A Feast for the Eyes
Make your dining room special with traditional holiday decorations that evoke warmth and hospitality:
- Use a classic table runner with seasonal patterns
- Set out matching crockery and antique silverware
- Add candle holders and centrepieces with holly or pine
The dining room is where everyone gathers for a meal, so make it inviting.
Hallway: A Grand Entrance
Greet guests with a beautiful hallway. This space often gets overlooked, but with some thought, it can shine:
- Hang a large wreath on your front door
- Add a vintage runner or carpet in festive colours
- Line the staircase with garland and fairy lights
This sets the stage for the rest of the house and showcases holiday style period homes.
Choosing Decorations That Fit the Period
Decorations that match your home’s time period bring authenticity. Here’s how to choose the right decor for your home’s specific style.
Georgian Homes
For Georgian houses, go with simple but stylish items:
- Pine garlands and simple bows
- White candles in windows
- Fresh floral arrangements with holly and berries
These choices keep your historic home holiday decor subtle yet beautiful.
Victorian Homes
A Victorian house calls for festive period house decorating with more detail:
- Heavy garlands with ribbon
- Ornaments made of glass and metal
- Luxurious fabrics like velvet for table runners and pillows
These touches fit perfectly with historic house Christmas ideas.
Edwardian Homes
Edwardian homes blend simplicity and elegance. Opt for:
- Minimalist wreaths
- Pearls and lace as decorative accents
- White and cream-coloured decor with hints of greenery
This gives your space a sophisticated touch that feels timeless.
Must-Have Holiday Elements
Make sure to include these essential items for seasonal decorating period house style.
- Wreaths and Garlands: Essential for any period home.
- Fairy Lights: Use warm white lights for a classic look.
- Candles and Lanterns: Great for window sills and mantels.
- Ornaments and Baubles: Stick to classic designs and avoid modern, flashy types.
- Antique Accessories: Think clocks, picture frames, and mirrors for a touch of history.
Maintaining a Balanced Decor Style
It’s important not to overdo it. Too many items can overwhelm a room. To keep a balance, consider:
- Focusing on one main centrepiece per room
- Choosing decor that compliments your home’s colour palette
- Using greenery to add freshness without clutter
FAQs About Decorating Period Homes for the Holidays
How do I make my period home festive without looking overdone?
Focus on fewer, high-quality decorations. Choose items that enhance, not overpower, your space.
Can I mix modern decorations with period-style ones?
Yes, but be careful. A few modern pieces can work as long as they blend with antique home holiday decor.
What types of Christmas trees work best in period homes?
Natural trees work best. If space is tight, a smaller tree on a side table can look charming.
What is the best lighting for a period home during the holidays?
Go with warm, soft lights. Avoid bright LEDs as they don’t suit holiday decor in old homes.
Are handmade decorations suitable for a period home?
Absolutely! Handmade items often have a rustic, vintage feel perfect for classic home holiday tips.
Make Your Period Home Shine This Holiday Season
Bring out the beauty of your home with the right decorations. Traditional Christmas home styling celebrates your home’s history and adds to the season’s magic. If you’re ready to enhance your period home with beautiful details, visit Period Extensions & Designs and discover more ways to bring your home’s history to life.
Please call us today at Period Extensions & Designs on (03) 8658 1340 or make an enquiry.