Deck your small space for the holidays
November 29, 2011
Liz Bruckner
SPECIAL TO THE STAR
‘Tis the season to be jolly, yes, but as anyone living in close quarters can vouch, figuring out how to add holiday cheer without going overboard can be anything but festive. We asked two design experts for ideas on how to spruce up even the tiniest abode without congesting the space. Here are their tips.
Keep it simple. “Nothing closes in a space faster than too much stuff — be it an oversized tree, twinkle lights on every window or ornaments everywhere,” says Dorothy Taylor, a design consultant for Design Manitoba in Winnipeg. The fix: Spend time leafing through your boxes of holiday goods, choose and place the pieces you love throughout your home, then box up and donate the rest.
Consider your tree options. Contrary to popular belief, Christmas trees don’t have to come in size extra large. Many tree suppliers offer versions five feet and under, and mini versions — the small, potted kind — are available at most grocery and flower stores, says Meredith Heron of Meredith Heron Designs in Toronto. “They’re perfect because they easily sit on top of a little side table, create that festive air of the holidays without dominating the space and are great options for people with animals or small kids.”
Spend time on your entrance. For homes with very limited space, decorating the entrance provides maximum impact with minimal effort, says Taylor. Simply adorning your foyer, hall table or powder room vanity with an ornament- and twig-filled hurricane vase works, as does hanging a festive wreath or displaying a beautiful poinsettia where space allows.
Go monochromatic. Heron says sticking with a monochromatic colour motif not only infuses a sense of chic in a space, the cohesive palette makes a dramatic statement while pulling the eye throughout the home. Opt for shades of white, mercury glass and gold mixed with a bit of fresh greenery — all are innately classic hues that work with any style of decor — to add sophistication and elegance throughout.
Go multipurpose. Holiday season or not, freeing up space becomes a lot easier with smart multipurpose pieces, says Taylor. When friends come a-calling, clear away unnecessary furniture or accessories, and utilize any double-duty pieces — like an ottoman, which can be used as a book, magazine and blanket catch-all, or decorator stools and side tables, which double as extra seating for guests — to make the most of cramped areas.
If you’ve got it, flaunt it. Mantels and staircases may not be de rigueur for every small space, but if you’re lucky enough to call one (or both) your own, make the most of the feature(s). Both look beautiful adorned with fresh garland — Heron likes cedar or magnolia — as do mirrors and window tops. Adding a few strategically-hung ornaments to your mantel or staircase is another way to introduce colour and sparkle, says Heron, but she advises restraint since an onslaught of trinkets can detract from the elegant effect.
Let there be light. It’s a fact: Poorly lit spaces seem drab and dark, whereas bright rooms lend a cosy, inviting feel. To make the most of light sources this season, incorporate as many candles as a space will take without setting off a fire alarm, place a few sparkling ornaments near lamps or fixtures to reflect or highlight their glow, and where possible, include an oversized wall mirror to help make small areas appear larger.
Remember that less is more. When the goal is to make your small space feel stylish and holiday-ready, keep it simple. “You don’t have to Griswald the space up to make it festive,” says Heron. “By creating an elegant feel with a few key pieces, you won’t get tired of it as quickly or feel like your space is overly cluttered or messy.”