Tranquil Home Decor - Creating a Welcoming Ambiance

Welcoming your friends and family into your home this holiday season is easy when you know a few tricks to make it feel cozy and comforting. Creating a peaceful environment for your guests can really add something special to a holiday celebration. You don't have to have a lot of money or be an entertaining guru to make your home feel like it was decorated by expert designers. Here are a few simple tips that can help you turn your house into a haven of tranquility.

First and foremost, pare down the non-essential objects in the rooms where your guests will be eating and relaxing. Reducing clutter can make a huge difference in how peaceful a room feels. Clear off space on side tables and your coffee table and place a few books and candles there instead. Anything that looks untidy can just be temporarily put away in a closet or drawer until you need it. Also, keeping the color palette in the room primarily limited to two or three colors can give a space a sense of sophistication.

Put an emphasis on warmth. Have lots of comfortable, cushy pillows and soft throws around your living room to create an intimate, cozy seating area. Fabrics in deep jewel tones work beautifully with holiday color schemes and will increase the feeling of coziness. If you have a working fireplace, keep a low fire going. If you don't have a fireplace, consider the use of softly glowing candles or small, portable indoor fireplace like the Ledgerock Personal Fireplace pictured right.

Bring the outdoors in. Compact tabletop water fountains are a great way to add a sense of relaxation to any indoor space, giving it an air of vitality. You don't have to drop a large amount of money on a water fountain just to create a peaceful ambiance in your home for the holidays ' see our post from last week, "Falls' Hottest Fountains at Bargain Prices". Another way to liven up your home is the use of live plants. Select evergreens, flowers or herbs in pots or vases to display in areas that could use a pop of color. Red or white pots set off greenery beautifully and match holiday decor. Arranging produce like pumpkins, acorn squash or pomegranates in white bowls is another way to create a stunning centerpiece without spending a lot of money.

Don't underestimate the power of a delicious aroma. If you won't be cooking until hours after guests arrive, bake a few apples with some cinnamon to give your home a scent that conjures up happy memories of holidays past. Another trick is to use a scented candle with natural essential oils, which smell much nicer than their artificial cousins. Check out the selection of beautiful, eco-friendly scented soy candles at SpecialtyLiving.com.