Adding a few hints of holiday flare without removing existing decor makes the transitions much easier.

Our clients at Tracy Lynn Studio often call on our San Diego interior designers to decorate their homes not only for beautiful year-round living but also for the holidays. If you haven’t tackled your Christmas decorating yet – or if you’re feeling like you want to augment what you’ve already done – here are a few holiday home decorating ideas we’ve picked up along the way.

• Unless you have the time and don’t mind the effort, incorporate your holiday decorating into your existing décor, interspersing your decorations throughout your home. If the traditional red and green clash with your home’s color palette, consider using a deeper red, or gold and cream, or silver with purple or blue.

• Think fresh. Since our faux tree broke last Christmas, my youngest asked if we could get a fresh tree this year. I never realized how much I would enjoy the scent and look of it! You can also slip evergreen branches, pinecones and fresh fruits such as green apples into your home to provide that holiday aroma.

Pottery Barn Kids’ “Winter Wonderland” collection creates an inviting holiday bed for a child of any age.

• Use your family’s cherished ornaments on your tree but then give the look consistency with ribbons or garland in coordinating colors. Blend the old with the new. Tie some cinnamon sticks on the tree for added scent.

• If your main tree is more formal, consider a “fun” tree in your family room or children’s rooms. We did a children’s tree for a client with a Dr. Seuss theme on which we hung large red balls and Seuss character figurines.

• Don’t forget your staircases! Banisters can be wound with garland, or try hanging a single bulb from a length of ribbon between each rail. Look for the new battery-operated garlands (and wreaths) to avoid dangling electrical cords.

Go natural and you’ll be delighted with the inexpensive ways you can bring the holiday spirit into your home with minimal effort.

• This might sound simplistic but changing your throw pillows to holiday themes is a quick and easy way to add some spirit. You can also buy holiday cases that zip over your existing pillows.

• Poinsettias say “Christmas” but seasonal foliage and wintry-looking branches (white birch, curly willow) add texture and interest too. Lanterns with colorful candles also have that holiday feel without disrupting your décor.

• Stage your dining room table with a holiday tablecloth or runner and holiday dishware (if you have it) or use chargers under plates. Add a centerpiece or create your own with candles and pine cones.

• Freshen up your bathroom with holiday hand towels and scented soaps and lotions. Williams Sonoma always has an appealing selection.

• Now you might think this is over the top, but I change my family’s bedding at the holidays. I figure I need to wash it anyway so why not swap it out? The holidays are a great time to wrap your bed in flannel sheets or even holiday sheets and add a colorful pillow on top. Pottery Barn Kids has adorable holiday bedding for children. Even my teenagers get excited for Christmas when they see their beds decked out.

We at Tracy Lynn Studio wish you the happiest of holidays! We are now booking into 2017 for decorating and remodeling consultations – please contact our designers to set up your appointment.