7 Easy Holiday Decorating Hacks By Experts

The “Ber” months are in full swing, it’s less than two months before Christmas, and you’re stuck in a decorating rut (or maybe your Christmas décor looks worse for wear). Before you plunk down a lot of money in new decorations, try to charge up your styling game and explore new Christmas styles. Interior designer and stylist Aaron Paglicawan of Detalye Design Group gives us these tips:  

Try traditional style with a twist.

IMAGE Paolo Feliciano, styling by Dagny Madamba at KISH

Trad-style Christmas décor features the usual green-white-red color scheme, with green Pine Christmas trees and wreaths. “Most clients don't want to take the risk of trying out new themes most especially when it comes to Christmas decorating, [so] traditional Western Christmas styling brings a lot of wonderful memories, thus most homeowners tend to stick to it,” Aaron says.

You can add a twist to traditional holiday décor by using topiaries instead of the usual Christmas trees, and adding gold to accent the color scheme.

Go local with Filipiniana.

IMAGE Dairy Darilag, styling by Dagny Madamba

“Locally-produced décor with Filipino elements and materials are also a popular choice for a lot of clients,” shares Aaron. “While some still want the traditional parol theme, some like to have modern twist to it.” In the pictured vignette, stylist Dagny Madamba added a table runner in a Philippine tribal fabric to add a local touch.

Contemporary is cool.

IMAGE Miguel Nacianceno, styling by Coni Tejada

“Younger clients are more willing to take a risk and try out the non-traditional path as far as Christmas styling is concerned,” says Aaron. “Some of them even go for the extreme: minimalist Christmas styling!” You can even add metallics, whites, and even black décor into a contemporary setting.

Get inspired by anything.

IMAGE Detalye Design Group

If you’ve run out of ideas, you can pick up pegs from anything around you. “Inspiration comes from anywhere: books, history, magazines, the Internet, your travels, dining out, museum visits, culture, nature, etc. Take note of the things that strike you most; [and] experiences that make you happy.”

Compile your pegs.

“Take photographs, draw them, record them, take videos. You will realize that the Christmas topic alone may branch out to a lot more ideas,” says Aaron. Some of these ideas may be season-less, and you can keep your décor up way after Christmas.

Hit the stores that specialize in Christmas décor.

IMAGE Detalye Design Group

Aaron recommends venturing out to the popular holiday décor haunts like Dapitan, Japan Surplus, and Divisoria for affordable orbaments. Also, many major stores like SM Home, Robinsons, and Crate & Barrel launch their holiday collections early and have special displays that you can get inspiration from.

READ: Dapitan – The Best Place To Buy Christmas Décor

Recycle what you have.

IMAGE Paolo Feliciano, styling by Dagny Madamba

“We really encourage recycling of materials or using they already have at home. Repainting, refinishing, or rearranging décor will make a huge difference from what the homeowners did from the previous years without spending a fortune!”

Create your own Christmas story.

“From the different ideas that inspire you, choose the best and create your own styling story out of it. Bring the ideas to life by translating them into actual materials, colors, and textures. More often than not, what you'll create is something that has not been done before!”

You can get more styling tips from Aaron and his team in person in “My Christmas Story: A Christmas Home Styling Workshop” on October 28, 2-5pm, at Stellar Place Condominium, 647-A Visayas Ave., Quezon City. To register, click on this link, text Nicka at 09157133597, or follow Detalye Design Group on their Facebook page.