The holidays really are the most wonderful time of the year. And decorating your home makes them even more festive. We chatted with Manhattan interior designer Logan Yost, about his ideas to keep holiday decor elegant and uncluttered. Yost's biggest tip: Decorate without getting too crazy.

Decorate certain areas.

The most common decorations are — of course — trees, wreaths and garlands. “You can start with those and then add on,” Yost says. But as you add holiday décor to your home, it’s not necessary to decorate every single room. “Instead, I focus on the main living space to get the most bang for my buck.” That doesn’t mean you can’t put up some holiday towels in the bathrooms or hang some garland on the stair rails. “Just don’t go overboard by covering every square inch of your surfaces,” Yost says.

Some Meritage Homes® floorplans offer a spacious bonus room with an optional wet bar. You can also decorate this room for a festive touch to family movie nights or cozy evenings curled up with a seasonal cocktail. Hang some lighting around the bar and assemble a variety of wine bottles and decanters to add some extra sophistication. You can also dress up the room with some simple flowers in a vase, a small holiday-themed sign, or a tasteful wreath.

  • wreath and tree

Choose the perfect color palette.

When it comes to your color palette, “remember that it should complement that of the room,” Yost says. If you’re starting from scratch, choose colors that work with your existing space. “Don’t come in with colors that feel out of place,” he adds. And feel free to use neutrals with a pop of holiday-themed colors. It’ll really make things stand out in the room.

Keep it simple.

If you want to add décor to your dining table or coffee table, do something simple. “I love to lay a wreath down in the center of the dining table and place a hurricane lamp — a tall, cylindrical or barrel-shaped glass dome candleholder — in the middle with a simple white pillar candle,” Yost says. Or, put a wide vase of red roses and tulips in the center of wreath. On the coffee table, add some holiday-themed décor like red berries or leaves.

  • "The only color on my tree is red and every single ornament is unique - no repeats. Mix it up with large balls, medium balls, birds, bows and reflective crystals, and it will look like a million bucks."

Focus on the tree and mantel.

If you’re decorating a tree, consider using shiny ornaments that are reflective and festive. Use primarily silvers and golds, but add a pop of color, Yost says. “The only color on my tree is red, and every single ornament is unique — no repeats,” he says. Yost recommends this because it provides a big visual impact as well as a variety of beautiful ornaments to look at. “Mix it up with large balls, medium balls, birds, bows, and reflective crystals, and it’ll look like a million bucks,” he says. Yost also says to use a dimmer on the tree’s light bulbs. If the lighting is too bright, the ornaments won’t stand out.

  • fireplace

As for your mantel, you can’t go wrong with garland. “I use a simple unlit garland, allowing it to hang off both ends, and I stagger pillar candles across it, then fill in with reflective baubles to catch the candlelight and create a mood,” Yost says. Additionally, consider buying some plain glass bulbs, decorating them with glitter and light-catching sequins, and hanging them across the front of the mantel.

Make your home feel festive, yet warm and cozy.

There are many ways to really give your home that festive holiday feeling. For instance, candles are great for warming up the space. “White pillar candles are always classic,” Yost says. Using scented candles is always a winner because scent is so important in a home, especially during the holidays. “I don’t love those floor-cleaner-smelling pine candles, and opt for more sophisticated scents like amber, or cassis,” he adds. Another great way to add to the mood: holiday music. Pull out your favorite holiday vinyls or playlists, or find premade holiday playlists and stations on music streaming services.

No matter what your plans are this season, decorating your home is a fun way to really get into the holiday spirit. Just remember: Keep it simple and elegant, with a nice pop of color.

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