It’s time to deck the halls, light the tree, and spruce up your home with holiday cheer. Achieving that perfect balance between timeless tradition and your unique style can be a challenge. That’s where the pros come in. We’ve spoken to three talented interior designers in Acadiana to bring you a sleigh-load of holiday decorating inspiration. From crafting the right color palette to tips for small spaces and even budget-friendly hacks, these design gurus are here to help transform your home into a cozy winter wonderland.

Krysten Ledet, Owner of Krysten Ledet Interiors

What’s the first step in planning a holiday decorating scheme for a home or room?

When planning a holiday decorating scheme, I always begin with inspiration from a hotel, restaurant, travel, etc., and consider why I found it intriguing. Was it traditional, modern, colorful or monotone? Ask yourself these questions and then scour the internet for imagery. Pinterest boards are the most effective for this and an absolute must at the beginning of a project! Use the board as you shop for pieces to ensure you stay on track with the end goal.

How do you balance traditional holiday themes with personal style and preferences?

We get to know and understand what our clients want. I make a mental list of the more traditional things, such as the tree, garland, etc., before adding a subtle or bold twist to accommodate clients’ preferences.

How can you create a festive atmosphere in small living spaces?

A coffee or entry table is an excellent space to add decorative items such as garlands, figurines, candles or decorative books. Switch out throw pillows and blankets that align with the color scheme of the season.

How can lighting be used to enhance holiday ambiance?

We love lighting! Stringing lights in your tree or garland, lighting a candle on your island or cocktail table, and displaying seasonal items that light up help add to the holiday spirit that people look forward to each year.

Give us some budget-friendly ideas for holiday decorating that still look luxurious and stylish

Budget-friendly means items that last for years. Avoid thematic or trendy décor items and, instead, opt for a festive throw blanket or seasonal candle. Mercury glass items such as vases, hurricanes, and coasters add holiday spirit that lasts for generations.

Find Krysten Ledet @krysten.ledet.interiors

Stacey Areceneaux, Owner of S. Clare Design

What’s the first step in planning a holiday decorating scheme for a home?

Determine a budget first for holiday decorating. Decide if you want to go big on decorating or have a few holiday-inspired items. I also like to incorporate family and religious traditions and style around that.

What are some ways to incorporate holiday decorations into everyday home decor?

Have a little something in every room – the living room, kitchen, dining room, outdoor spaces, restrooms, even children’s spaces and bedrooms. Use wrapped gifts as decor throughout the home.

How can you create a festive atmosphere in small living spaces?

Sometimes, less is more. For instance, don’t overwhelm the space with a tree that’s too large. Instead, consider a tabletop tree with simple mantle decorations.

How do you make holiday decor special or unique?

I decorate my home with things I love. Nativity scenes are placed in each room, and I have collected ornaments since my children were born. Every Christmas Eve, my children receive a new ornament representing something significant that happened that year. Our tree is a collection of memories created over many years. I also decorate a small tree in children’s rooms with handmade ornaments and decorations.

Give us some budget-friendly ideas for holiday decorating that still look luxurious and stylish.

Fruit and greenery go a long way. I often use these as fillers tied with ribbon as centerpieces or in bowls on accent tables.

Find Stacey Arceneaux @sclaredesign

Kim McLain, Owner of Kim McLain Interiors

How do you balance traditional holiday themes with personal style?

Anything goes with holiday décor these days, so cater your holiday look to your specific style. Creating an aesthetically pleasing space can be achieved regardless of your definition of traditional.

Share some tips for selecting a color scheme that complements the holiday season.

Try to stay within a scheme that works with your existing interior decor. This helps keep the design cohesive. If you try to bring in a scheme that doesn’t fit your decor, it can become overwhelming or distracting.

What are some creative ways to incorporate holiday decorations into everyday home decor?

Introduce cone-shaped topiaries as nods to the Christmas tree on the dining table, mantle, and side tables. Style coffee tables and side tables with Christmas books.

How can you create a festive atmosphere in smaller living spaces?

Great question! Fill a beautiful gold bowl with iridescent bulbs. Tie live greenery to light fixtures, sconces, or overhead lighting with a pretty ribbon. Tie a ribbon to the backs of chairs. Adding bobbles to small plants around the home can introduce holiday flare into the smallest of spaces.

Are there any unique or unexpected holiday decor items you recommend using?

Tie burlap around planters with ribbon to look like gifts, bells around door knobs, or use dried fruits like oranges and cranberries in wreaths. For something truly unique, fill a gumball machine with red and green peanut M&M’s or make handmade heirloom ornaments with your family. Adding Santa hats to deer mounts could also add a festive touch!

Give us some budget-friendly ideas for holiday decorating that still look luxurious and stylish.

Adding natural greenery to your space is a great way to stay within a budget while decorating for the holidays. Many Christmas tree farms will give you the cuttings for free. Tie the greenery to outside lamp posts, sconces or the backs of chairs.

Find Kim McLain @Kimmclaininteriors