The holiday season inspires us to do some of our best and most ambitious decorating of the year. It’s a season that passes quickly though, which can leave all of that painstaking decor looking awkwardly out of place sooner than we would like.
Most of us would love to extend the life of our holiday decor, but figuring out how to accomplish that can be a bit of a puzzle. We decided to turn to an expert, interior designer Orlando Soria of Homepolish, to share his tips on how holiday decorating can work well into the winter months and beyond.
Right now, homes are filled with a variety of holiday elements. Is there a way to keep that decor alive even after the celebrations pass?
Orlando Soria: A lot of holiday decor, such as Santa figurines and Nativity scenes, speak directly to Christmas. My favorite, however, are those that speak more to the season and represent icons like pinecones, trees, and snowflakes. These pieces serve not only to make your celebration feel more wintry and atmospheric, but they also work well beyond the holidays.
ED: What kind of holiday decorations do you favor in your home?
OS: In my home, I have a number of seasonal items grouped together in small vignettes. One of my favorites is in my living room, where I paired some illuminated mercury glass Christmas trees with hand-carved busts I found at the flea market.
ED: What are some of the things people should keep in mind while creating holiday designs that can extend into the new year?
OS: I always tell people that if they’re trying to create a sophisticated holiday design, it’s important to be very intentional with the color scheme. I love using gold, silver, white, and other neutrals because they mesh well with the interiors of my home, something that helps my holiday pieces feel timely even after Christmas has passed.
ED: You are a designer who loves to break the rules (in all the right ways). How can we think outside the box about holiday decor so that it can last year-round?
OS: Rethink what constitutes decorating your home for the season. A lot of the seasonal decorations I grew up with weren’t technically holiday specific. My mother collected vintage magazine covers, with beautiful fashion illustrations in holiday colors, framed them, and perched them around the house. Sometimes these would stay up as late as July, when she’d put them away so we’d be excited to see them again in December.
ED: The holidays also mark a seasonal transition into the deeper months of winter. Is holiday decorating an effective gateway into redecorating for the winter season?
OS: I always see the holidays as an opportunity to reevaluate your home decor. I’m constantly moving art and accessories around, and my sofa completely changes positions to make room for my giant Christmas tree. These small changes challenge me to rethink my interiors. Holiday decorating is, of course, a joyous act, but it can also be an incredibly practical one, which helps you look at your home with fresh eyes.
ED: Any pieces that should absolutely come down after New Years?
OS: Once the ball drops, it’s probably time to say goodbye to the Christmas tree. For one, you’ll probably be ready to have your space free and clear, and your living room layout back to normal. Second, it’s so specifically linked to the Christmas holiday that it immediately feels seasonally inappropriate once the New Year arrives. A wintry wreath, however, can stick around until springtime because it feels more like a celebration of the colder months.
Elle Decor
