'Tis the season for holiday cheer and festive decorations, but what if you're trying to sell your home during this busy time of year? Decorating for the holidays when your house is on the market involves striking a delicate balance. On one hand, you want to make your home feel warm and inviting to potential buyers, but on the other hand, you don't want to overwhelm them with too much holiday décor. This is where staging your home during the winter holidays comes in. By following some simple do’s and don’ts, you can find harmony with both festive and classy décor, ensuring that your holiday decorations won't turn off potential buyers. Here are some tips for decorating your home for sale over the holidays.

Keep It Clutter-Free

When it comes to staging your house, one of the first things your Realtor will suggest you do is declutter. With that in mind, you want to be especially careful not to undo all the hard work you did to declutter when you first began showing your home. Remember, less is more when it comes to holiday decorations while selling your home. Don't overwhelm the space with years of collected holiday items. Steer clear of excessive ornamentation and incorporate subtle touches like wreaths, greenery, or candles for a cozy feel.

Christmas Tree Caution

Christmas trees are tricky. Larger trees can sometimes make a room look smaller or claustrophobic. Smaller trees can have that depressing “Charlie Brown Christmas” feel. You also don’t want the tree to distract from positive architectural features or impede the flow of traffic. If a tree is a must for your holiday season, make sure you have one that is unobtrusive and proportional to the size of the room.

Limit Your Lights

Lights, used properly, can create a warm festive glow in your home. Use white lights over bright lights, especially on your Christmas tree. Blinking colored lights can become overwhelming both inside and outside your home. Be sure to limit your use of lights to perhaps the tree, mantle, or an architectural feature. The same approach applies to outdoor decorations, use even white lights sparingly.

Create the Perfect Color Palette

Opt for a neutral color palette or choose one cohesive color scheme to create a visually appealing and harmonious space. As an example, if your home is normally decorated in shades of blue, then avoid reds and greens and decorate with silvers, whites, and similar blue shades. Keep tree ornaments in the same color family. For subtle pops of color use a few festive pillows and throws.

Depersonalize the Décor

An important point to remember is that you want to create a warm and inviting atmosphere for potential buyers, while still allowing them to envision themselves living in the space. If there is too much of you on display, they may have a hard time connecting with the property on a personal level. Avoid displaying personal ornaments, greeting cards, and stockings. Also avoid religious decorations or seasonal photos of the family.

Lose the Kitsch

The kids or grandkids may love the inflatable Santa on the roof, snowman on the lawn, and swirling snowflake lights on the front of the house, but when it comes to selling your home, the inflatables need to take a year off. The same applies for indoor décor. Kitsch is fun but very personal. Remember, you are trying to appeal to as many buyers as possible.

The Nose Knows

Scents are a subtle way of creating a warm and cozy atmosphere. Create a homey environment with scents like cinnamon and evergreen or baking and wassail. As with the ornamentation, be careful not go too heavy with the aromas. Avoid cloying scents or heavily perfumed plug-ins.

Decking out your home for the holidays while it's for sale doesn't have to be a daunting task. When selling your home during the holiday season, finding the balance between festive décor and proper staging is essential. With these tips in mind, you can create a warm and inviting atmosphere for potential buyers without overwhelming them with excessive holiday décor.