Make Your Home Merry and Bright! 12 Simple Holiday Decorating Tips

[By Redfin]

Made from items bought at Goodwill.

Deck the halls with handmade garlands, luxe wreaths, and magical string lights this December! The holiday season is in full swing, which means your kitchen is soon to be filled with the smell of freshly-baked cookies and fresh pine in your living room. But no matter how much you love decorating for the holidays, we could all use some new and simple holiday decorating tips to make your home even more festive.

We’ve reached out to the experts all the way from Cambridge, ON, to Lincoln, NE for their best advice on creating a merry and bright home this season. Read on to find out what they had to say so you can spruce up your home with holiday flair.

Made from dried fruit and pine needles.

Try a simple holiday theme this year and go all natural.

Hang a custom wreath on your door, a vase of holly or Ilex berries in the kitchen, place some lovely potted narcissus or amaryllis bulbs on the coffee table and if you're still wanting more, try a cedar garland on the mantle beside your tree. Even the simplest decor can bring you into a cheery state to celebrate the holidays. If you're not sure where to purchase this decor just stop by a local flower shop or nursery - there's sure to be an expert there to help you. - Becca Sweetman, Owner of Sunrose Floral

Think homemade when it comes to decorating this holiday season.

While most store-bought decorations are made with plastic and other non-biodegradable material, homemade decorations are much more fun, sustainable, and low-cost. Make your own holiday garlands, wreaths, and centerpieces with fruit, pinecones, and other items you can find in nature. The planet, and your wallet, will thank you. - Goodwill Industries of Arkansas

Made from found items.

Holiday decorating can be easy and simple.

Decking your halls can be as simple and enjoyable as foraging around outside, applying a little metallic or white spray paint, and mixing your finds with family treasures. Gather evergreens like white pine, cedar, and holly for the beauty and fresh scent, and whatever branches, bark, acorns, seed pods, pumpkins, small logs, vines, and wild berries catch your eye. Weave in a string of fairy lights or ribbon garlands, tuck in treasured ornaments or figurines, and finish off with dramatic orchids, bright gerbera daisies, or romantic roses to make your holidays winter wonderful. - Copper Penny Flowers

Make your own wreath this year.

Bring in a luxe and lively feel to your Christmas decor by making your own fresh wreath! You can attend a wreath-making workshop, visit a local flower farm, or forage for the perfect mix of fresh winter greens. This not only makes for a fun and festive DIY activity, but an affordable and special way to bring life and Christmas cheer to any space. - Ashley Whatley, Stay Home Style

Photo courtesy of North Shore Crafts.

Holiday decorating doesn't have to be hard or expensive.

Even dollar store items can look like a million bucks if you style it right! This wreath was made from an old wood round, some paint and dollar store decorations. Add some ribbon and you have an instant modern wreath that is stylish but didn't break the bank. - Lidia Romeo, Design Inside the Box

Start a crafting tradition.

Simple holiday decorating idea is to use the same wreath base each year, start a tradition to craft a new Holiday wreath each year. If you are new to wreath making, start with a class from your local floral shop, then re-visit the local floral shop each year to buy the newest on trend greenery ensuring each year is fresh and new. Each year you grow in your knowledge of making a wreath, boosting your creativity, feel-good mood and filling your home with something you love. - Shawna Fosket, North Shore Crafts

Photo courtesy of Elizabeth Made This.

Don't be afraid to add a little DIY into your holiday decor.

Handmade ornaments like these felt ones you can create from Fabulous Felt Christmas Cookies can create memories for your family for years to come. Plus in the middle of a hectic holiday season, spending a little time to make something can be a mini retreat of a project that'll help you relax and enjoy the moment. - Elizabeth Farr, Elizabeth Made This

Create a holiday “look” in your rooms.

When planning for your decoration needs, look for focal points in your home. Instead of dispersing decor throughout a whole room, pick key moments and create a "look". Creating thematic scenes gives your decor a substantial and impressive look. - Holiday Warehouse

Classic and simple is always a great place to start.

I love to keep things simple and classic for Christmas. I adore white lights with pops of gold plus festive reds and greens both inside and outside. A fresh wreath on the door and a cute Christmasy doormat is a must! Inside my home, I still opt for a real tree with white lights and beautiful hand blown ornaments that I’ve collected through the years or have been gifted from family. I love lots of candles and other Christmas decor all around to make things extra cozy and special for the season. - Lauren Schwaiger, Broker/Realtor + Lifestyle Blogger

Decorate the chandelier.

Drape faux garland, sparkly ornaments, and twinkly lights through the arms of the chandelier over the dining table. This is a simple holiday decorating idea and such a pretty way to decorate for Christmas- it creates holiday cheer without taking up any table space. - Edith & Evelyn

Photo courtesy of Urban Jungle Cambridge.

Use unique containers in place of a tree skirt.

One of my favorite ways to decorate for Christmas is to use unique containers at the base of my tree in place of a traditional tree skirt. Using things such as wicker trunks, large planters, metal buckets, or wooden crates to hold your tree adds character and cozy charm to your home during Christmas. As a bonus, using these items often adds height to your tree as well. - Diana Marie, Diana Marie Home, IG: @dianamariehome

Embrace nature in your festive decor.

Decorations are expensive this year, but if you want to make maximum impact, look for stems that are tall, like ilex berries. Put a cluster of branches with bold red berries in a vase and you have instant holiday cheer. Tall amaryllis make a similar festive statement. You can buy them cut or find potted ones. There are also a couple of ideas to make your home feel more festive for the holidays without breaking the bank, like adding cedar or pine in clear glass with Christmas bulbs from previous year’s decorations. Or, add pine branches and pinecones in a clear glass bowl simply placed on the kitchen counter. Don’t forget your entrance door, this year's garland around the door is a must have, more natural look with some pinecones and magnolia leaves in it. We are going back to the nature; natural look is more inviting and desired this year. - Mel at Urban Jungle in Cambridge - Urban Jungle Cambridge