Selling and Seasonal Decor

Fall is almost here....I love the fall season!  It's such a beautiful time - crisp air, colourful leaves and harvest time delights.

So now that the harvest season is upon us many of us like the celebrate the new season with festive decor.  Beautiful leaves, corn, pumpkins, gourds, hay and more....but if you are selling your home is this type of decor appropriate? 

After speaking with some local Realtors, they all say YES but in moderation.

Having a fall inspired wreath and the door paired with some pumpkins and gourds in a basket is both warm and welcoming but too much can make the entry feel cluttered and cramped which are negatives when it comes to selling your home.  Emphasizing your porch with pumpkins or a fall pillow on a bench is a positive and buyers will feel warm and fuzzy!



So what about holiday decor?  Well, that too can create an inviting atmosphere but again don't go over board, keep it simple and nothing religious.

For Halloween, keep it tame.  The zombies, skulls and all the gore can go with you to the next home.  If you love the holiday or have little ones that do and need to decorate, less really is more.  Keep it low key and mild.  Not everyone will want to see blood dripping down the windows and dead bodies cut in half with a chainsaw lying on the front lawn plus all of this decor takes away from the home and is very distracting!  Most buyers won't  be able to see past it and there's a very good chance they won't be a second showing.


*This is too much.  It's fun and probably the talk of the street but not good for selling.  It's just overwhelming and distracting!

The Christmas Season  is a tougher time to sell. Fewer buyers are out there but don't forget that if there are buyers out there, they want to buy.  So be sure to focus on having an appealing exterior.
Wreaths, Christmas trees, lights and bows are beautiful and when used correctly can not only create a loving atmosphere but they can highlight gorgeous features of the home like a stunning staircase, high ceilings, over sized windows, and set the scene for the buyers who might be imaging themselves hosting a Christmas dinner in the home. But again, keep it simple, I cannot stress that enough.

1. Don't bring every item out.  The front lawn, the roof and the entry steps do not need to be covered in lights, blow up Santas and glowing reindeer.  Try a wreath and a natural planter at the entry and simple lights highlighting the roof line or a great front yard tree.

2. Religious or too personal (say a family photo of you dressed like Santa's elves) items should stay packed away until you are in your new home. They turn off some buyers. 

3.  Keep the clutter minimal.  Don't fill up every square inch with seasonal decor, it makes the space look and feel small plus from a decor point of view, you can't appreciate the beauty of the decor pieces when there are too many lumped together.No one wants a small or squishy home.

4.  Having a theme (colour theme or a style like modern or country) creates a cohesive look in the home and looks put together.  This will make your home, the home buyers dream of.  Looks matter when it comes to selling your home

5.  Less is more. Ask a friend or honest family member if your seasonal decor is too much.


Selling your home can be a stressful experience and it is important to live your life but if you don't want your home to just sit on the market be sure to always have it looking it's best.  Simplicity is really beautiful.

Fall Decor Ideas for your Home

So tomorrow is officially the first day of the fall season!  Although the arrival of fall means that winter isn't too far away - I still love the fall season!!  The colours, the smells, the weather and the overall landscape. It's just gorgeous!

My children are even getting into the spirit of the changing season - they love to collect fallen pine cones, visits to the local apple orchards and pumpkin patch.  They are just itching to pick their own pumpkin! 

I have already jumped into my fall decor.  I started with the exterior with a fall harvest wreath made of natural materials in rich and sophisticated colours like - espresso brown, burgundy and eggplant.  My personal tip on a wreath is to go natural (if you can).  It just looks so much better.  If you can't find one you like, try making your own - you can use natural materials like grapevine and various 'findings' on nature walks like pine cones and colourful leaves - don't forget the glue gun!

But I think the favourite outdoor decor item of my children is the scarecrow.  I have one for each of them.  You can make your own or buy one (they are available at so many stores).

Other great ways to celebrate the fall season - try bails of hay at the door step or on the porch.  Add some baskets of hardy fall mums and some pumpkins.

Also check out your local nursery or grocery store for beautiful (already planted/potted) fall flower baskets.  they are so full and lush.  The colours are so spectacular and it's so easy just leave at the door step and voila!  Just water when needed and don't worry about the drastic temperature changes that come with the fall season, these flowers are designed for it.

For your interior, try some simple bowls with mini pumpkins, pine cones and/or gourds.  Try switching your white candles for olive or orange tones.  Bouquets of sunflowers and Gerber daisies look so fall festive.  Bowls of fresh picked apples is another great table centrepiece.Tall glass vases with sticks in the corner of any room add a natural and organic feel to the space.

To keep fall decor looking modern, mix the natural elements with more streamlined pieces.  Try mini pumpkins in a glass bowl, contemporary floral arrangements with fall flowers.  In order to achieve a modern look, keep it simple and streamlined. 

Spoooky Style!!

I love any excuse to decorate any home, don't you?

If you are like me and love to change things up with the season and the holidays!

Check out http://www.pier1.com/ for some fabulous and fun Halloween decor ideas!

Perfect for anyone hosting a party this year!

Everything from 'spooky' decor pillows to halloween candles, spider door wreath and my favourite ... the table leg covers (they look like witch legs) - so fun!

Also the website has some great tips and tricks for hosting the perfect Halloween party!

So scare up some style this Halloween!

Autumn's in the air!

Wow, it is hard to believe but we can all feel it - autumn is in the air! We are fortunate enough to experience the 4 seasons and the changes they bring, so embrace it in your decor. I know most of you are thinking cheesy but there are ways to make autumn or any seasonal decor cool and contemporary.

By keeping it simple - in a large minimalist bowl use items like gourds, apples or pinecones for a natural look.

Add some decorative sticks in a tall clay vase at the front entry (indoor or outdoor) with some pumpkins in various sizes.

Display small baby pumpkins in a vertical line for an easy centre piece maybe with some votive candles too.

A floral arrangement of sunflowers or mums adds dimension and a strong pop of colour.

Change out your outdoor planters and use colour ful hardy mums instead.

You can even change up yor decor pillows and throws to more seasonal tones.

The autumn is a time of true beauty. The colours are stunning, so work with them and great some gorgeous rooms with autumn accents!