This read, I am sharing our home along with 3 easy and inexpensive ways to upgrade your Christmas decor without breaking the bank.  Usually I have our Christmas tree up before Thanksgiving just because I love to enjoy it as long as I can. But this year, I was a slacker and didn’t get the tree up until yesterday. In years past, we have ranged from decorating every nook and cranny in our home to only having the tree up. This year, we decided to keep it simple and focus on the mantle and the tree.

3 easy and inexpensive ways to upgrade your Christmas decor without breaking the bank.

1. Switch out art.
2. Keep color scheme minimal.
3. Add ribbon.

Switch Out Art

Art can change the feeling of a space completely. Typically, I like to start with art and then have everything else coordinate with that specific piece of art. In this situation, I started with everything else, and then created art to follow scheme.  Either approach you decide to take, the end result can still be beautiful.

Our mantle looked a bit off until I decided what I wanted to make to go in the frame. I knew I wanted the art  to “feel” like Christmas without screaming “THIS IS CHRISTMAS ART” if that makes any sense?! Nature always makes me happy so I decided to go with a peaceful, snowy forest landscape. I do not have a tutorial on how to paint because I am not an artist.  I have to copy elements I like from certain pieces and then hope for the best.

See how it compliments all the other aspects in the room?!

Keep Color Scheme Minimal

I like to keep my color scheme minimal. Usually like 2-3 colors max. As a side note, I generally apply this to all areas of design. Anything more sometimes feels distracting when there are several colors jumping out at you.

I also like to have the colors coordinate. For our tree, I paired navy and gold. *Please know this is not a rule and I realize there are many beautiful spaces full of color… I’m just sharing my personal thoughts.*

Add Ribbon

Insert and add ribbon into areas that need a little “something.” Most people already have this at home from wrapping presents so it is a great touch that can make the space feel decorated but not over the top. Here, I used thin navy velvet ribbon that I already had on hand and used a buffalo check placemat under to layer.

Our Christmas decor this year is a lot simpler than the past, but that does not mean it is any less “happy.” Last year, I was dealing with postpartum depression, a colicky newborn, and struggling as a new mom. This year, I am counting my blessings twice that some things are only a season. I now have a happy 1 year old, I’m over the depression, and I’m doing what I love. Thanks for being here.

 

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