It’s too early to start decorating but it’s not too early to think about getting our homes ready for the holidays by finishing up projects, painting, organizing and cleaning and prepping the outdoors for winter so that when the time does come for holiday decorating, it’ll be much more stress-free.

Last week Lowe’s hosted a Holiday Ready Home Showcase. Surrounded by family and friends, we “tagged along” (via live stream in my living room tv) hosted by the Kitchen Cousins (John & Anthony)  sharing home design bloggers’ room makeovers for some great tips on having a holiday ready home. Talk about inspiration for getting into the holiday spirit! So.many.ideas!

Here is how I get my home ready for the holidays:

1. Project completion. We seem to be in a constant state of construction so my first step is to finish up the projects that I’m working on. For me that means finishing up the DIY details in a room, sweeping up the sawdust, then putting away the materials and tools. So I’ll be finishing up a laundry room makeover, family room “polishing” and hopefully fitting in that pantry makeover I’ve been meaning to get to before getting serious about my holiday decorating. I better get busy!

2. Clean and declutter. I can’t get started with holiday decorating unless I have a clean slate. This means cleaning the rooms I decorate then decluttering by removing all-year-around decorative accents to make room for Christmas accents. 

3. Re-arrange furniture. Sometimes that means simply changing the orientation of our dining room table. Just that small thing gives the room a fresh look. I also re-arrange the living room and family room furniture to make space for the Christmas trees. It’s always a challenge and I try different spots but always go back to the same usual Christmas tree location.

4. Outdoors. Winter is sneaking up on us. Time to winterize the patio by putting away decorative accents, patio furniture and cushions. I also watch the weather for a warmer day to get holiday lighting up and installed so that when it is cold, wintery, snowy December, all I have to do is plug in the lights and hang the wreaths. 

5. Decorate. After digging out the boxes marked “Christmas” from the basement (it’s like hunting for buried treasure except not as fun. ha!), I like to organize my seasonal decor by room and laying out what I have before decorating, especially since I may have items I purchased on clearance after the holidays the previous year. It gives me an idea if there’s anything I need to add to my holiday decorating stash too. Tips for decorating a Christmas tree. 

6. Scents. Since we use artificial trees, a subtle pine scented candle is a must buy every year. 

I may have been humming a little “Winter Wonderland” while decorating the dining room early for my holiday ready home viewing party using some beautiful holiday accents from the Allen + Roth collection at Lowe’s – beautiful LED mercury glass trees, ornaments, white script leaf garland with silver glitter bling and gold feathers accents.

More great tips for a holiday ready home:

• Holiday lighting is an affordable way to add a big statement to holiday decorate.  Holiday lighting and candles add a special touch – that glow! so warm and welcoming! – especially with darkness arriving earlier these days. Don’t forget the outdoors…luminaries are an easy budget-friendly way to lighten the path to the front door.
• Need something fresh and new? Paint makes a big statement! It’s by far the easiest and quickest way to brighten up a room. 
• Accessorize a neutral room with color in holiday decorating. Add accent pillows and throws for extra color, warmth and comfort.
• Mixed metallics are a great way to add some sparkle and shine!
• Mix old and new and look for fun non-traditional ways to use existing things, thinking outside of the box.
• Try bringing in living/natural elements (succulents, sticks, twigs, birch branches/logs). 
• Don’t forget to incorporate family traditions or start a new one!

Looking for some fun holiday DIY projects? Check out these Lowe’s Creative Ideas. One of these inspired a DIY Show Off project I’ll be sharing sometime next month.

o    Kitchen: http://www.lowes.com/creative-ideas/decorate-and-entertain/terra-cotta-serving-tray/project or http://www.lowes.com/creative-ideas/kitchen-and-dining/apple-butter-party-favors/project#noop

o    Living Room: http://www.lowes.com/creative-ideas/decorate-and-entertain/frosted-glass-mirror/project#noop

o    Outdoor/Curb Appeal: http://www.lowes.com/creative-ideas/porch-deck-and-patio/twine-star-decoration/project or http://www.lowes.com/creative-ideas/woodworking-and-crafts/shining-dowel-star/project or http://www.lowes.com/creative-ideas/other-activities/vinyl-luminaries/project

o    Bath/Guest Bath: http://www.lowes.com/creative-ideas/bed-and-bath/update-your-bathroom-for-the-holidays/article

o    Entryway: http://www.lowes.com/creative-ideas/woodworking-and-crafts/make-your-own-holiday-wreaths/article

o    Guest Room: http://www.lowes.com/creative-ideas/woodworking-and-crafts/nuts-and-bolts-christmas-tree/project

o    Dining Room: http://www.lowes.com/creative-ideas/woodworking-and-crafts/how-to-make-mini-chalkboards/project

See more fun DIY ideas at Lowe’s Creative Ideas, follow Lowe’s on Instagram, Pinterest and sign up for the Creative Ideas magazine and app!

*Disclaimer: As a member of the Lowe’s Creative Ideas Creators and Influencers network, I received a Lowe’s gift card to complete this project challenge, however the tutorial images, instructions and opinions are my own.