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Introduction:


The holiday season is all about creating a warm, magical atmosphere in your home. But even the most festive decorators can fall into some common decorating pitfalls that leave their spaces feeling cluttered, unbalanced, or just not as stunning as they envisioned.


As a professional holiday decorator, I’ve seen it all! So Below, I’m going to share 8 Holiday Decoration Mistakes & How to Fix Them | Red's Holiday Decor—so your home looks effortlessly beautiful this holiday season.


  1. Adding Too Many Colors


X The Mistake: Using every holiday color at once.

Tree decorated with too much of everything making it look cluttered
Way Too Many Colors

A mix of red, green, gold, silver, blue, and more can make your space feel chaotic rather than elegant.  












Simple yet elegant tree decorated with 2-3 colors making it look well put together.
Simple Red and White Tree

Y The Fix: Stick to a cohesive color palette.


Choose 2-3 main colors and incorporate neutral tones to balance them out.


For example:

• Classic Elegance: Red and White

• Winter Wonderland: Silver, White, and Blue

• Modern Chic: Black, White, and Metallics  






Pro Tip: Carry your color scheme throughout your décor—tree, mantel, tablescape, and entryway—for a cohesive look.

  1. Overcrowding Your Christmas Tree


X  The Mistake: Adding too many ornaments, making it look cluttered.


While a full tree is beautiful, too many mismatched ornaments can overwhelm the eye and make the tree feel unbalanced.


Y The Fix: Layer strategically and create balance.

• Start with ribbon or garland as a base.

• Use a mix of ornament sizes—larger ones toward the center, smaller ones toward the tips.

• Place ornaments in clusters of 2-3 instead of randomly spacing them out.

• Step back and adjust to ensure even distribution.  


Pro Tip: If your tree still feels off, try using floral picks, oversized statement ornaments, or a unique tree topper to bring it all together.

  1. Ignoring the Entryway


Bare entryway before being fully decorated for the holidays
Undecorated Entryway



X  The Mistake: Decorating only the main living areas and neglecting the first impression.



Guests should feel the holiday magic the moment they step inside!  










Fully decorated entryway with lush pre-lit garlands, pinecones and minimal ornaments and festive sconces for the door.
Beautifully Decorated Entryway


Y The Fix: Add festive touches to your entryway.


• A wreath/sconce on the front door sets the festive holiday tone.

• Use pre-lit garland around the doorway.

• A festive doormat and lanterns create a warm welcome.  






Pro Tip: If you have stairs near the entrance, add a garland with ribbon or twinkling lights for extra holiday charm.

  1. Overloading the Mantel


Fireplace mantel with a lot of greenery and muli-color ornaments which give it a unnatural look and feell
Too Many ornaments on the garland make it look unorganized


X  The Mistake: Placing too many decorations, making it look heavy and cluttered.


A mantel should feel balanced, not overcrowded with stockings, garland, candles, and figurines competing for attention.  











Garland draped with lux ribbon, leaf picks and gold glass finials, completed with stunning black reindeer and large lighted hurricanes creating a stunning fireplace mantel.
Garland draped with lux ribbon, leaf picks and gold glass finials, completed with stunning black reindeer and large lighted hurricanes creating a stunning fireplace mantel.


Y The Fix: Follow the “layering rule.”


1. Anchor with a statement piece – A mirror, holiday sign, or oversized wreath.

2. Add height variation – Use candle holders, mini trees, or hurricanes at different heights.

3. Drape garland naturally – Let it swag slightly instead of lying flat.

4. Limit to a few key items – Choose 3-5 main decorations rather than filling every inch.  






Pro Tip: If hanging stockings, use stocking holders instead of nails to prevent damage and make swapping them out easier!

  1. Using Harsh, Mismatched Lighting


X  The Mistake: Mixing warm white and cool white lights, or using overly bright LED lights that feel sterile. Inconsistent lighting can make your décor look disjointed and uninviting.


Y The Fix: Choose one light temperature for a cohesive glow.

• Warm white lights (soft yellow glow) → Cozy & traditional.

• Cool white lights (crisp, icy glow) → Modern & sleek.

• Multicolor lights → Fun & playful (but best when kept consistent across decorations).  


Pro Tip: Add twinkle or dimmable lights for an elegant, magical ambiance.

  1. Forgetting About Texture & Layers  


X  The Mistake: Only using hard, shiny decorations, making the space feel flat.


If your décor is all glass, metal, and plastic, it might lack depth and coziness.


Y The Fix: Mix materials for warmth and dimension.

• Soft textures: Velvet ribbons, faux fur tree skirts, chunky knit throws.

• Natural elements: Pinecones, wooden beads, fresh greenery.

• Reflective accents: Glass ornaments, metallic candle holders.  


Pro Tip: Layering different textures makes your décor look high-end and thoughtfully designed.

  1. Going Overboard with Scented Décor  


X  The Mistake: Using too many different holiday scents (pine, cinnamon, vanilla, peppermint) at once.


A strong mix of scents can be overwhelming—especially for guests with sensitivities.  


Y The Fix: Stick to one signature holiday scent per space.

• Cinnamon & Clove → Cozy & traditional.

• Fir & Pine → Fresh & natural.

• Orange & Spice → Warm & inviting.  


Pro Tip: Use unscented candles on the dinner table to avoid competing with the aroma of holiday meals.


  1. Not Decorating Beyond the Living Room


X  The Mistake: Only focusing on the tree and mantel, leaving the rest of the home untouched.



Holiday décor should flow throughout the house for a fully festive experience.


Add a little Holiday magic in your kitchen with these simple accents.  Add a holiday dish drainage mat and a festive dishwasher magnet.
Add a little Holiday magic in your kitchen with these simple accents

Create a warm and inviting ambiance even in your bathroom just by adding a holiday shower curtain with matching towels, wall art and a toilet seat cover & rug.
Adding a holiday shower curtain with matching towels, wall art and a toilet seat cover & rug creates a warm and inviting ambiance even in your bathroom

Y The Fix: Add subtle holiday touches in other spaces.



Kitchen: Swap dish towels for festive ones, add a mini wreath or a bowl of ornaments; or you can add a holiday dish drainer mat and a festive dishwasher magnet to tie in your holiday theme into the kitchen.













Bathroom: Add scented candles, pine-scented soap, or small decorative accents.  Add a holiday themed shower curtain with matching toilet seat cover and rug. And finish the look with some festive wall art.


Bedroom: Use holiday pillows or a cozy Christmas-themed throw blanket and some simple accents so you can have some magic for just you to enjoy.









Pro Tip: Even small touches can make a big impact without overwhelming the space.


Final Thoughts - 8 Holiday Decoration Mistakes & How to Fix Them | Red's Holiday Decor


Avoiding these common holiday decorating mistakes will help you create a beautifully styled, balanced, and inviting space for the season. The key is cohesion, layering, and thoughtful placement—all while keeping things festive yet elegant!


Want a professional touch this holiday season? Red's Holiday Décor offers expert holiday decorating services to bring your vision to life.  


Book your consultation today and let’s make your home holiday-perfect!  



**Follow me on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/redsholidaydecor/ for more holiday decorating inspiration!


The holiday season is a magical time of year, filled with lights, decorations, and festive cheer. If you're looking to take your holiday decor to the next level, look no further than a Christmas Holiday Decorating Service based in the Orlando, Florida area. This decorating service, Red's Holiday Decor, specializes in creating customized holiday decor designs that will bring joy and warmth to your home or business.

Stunning Black pre-lit Hurricanes etched with sparkling snowflakes with a festive star to finish the look on that small table centerpiece.
Elegant Luxury Entryway Design

Red's Holiday Decor offers a wide range of festive decor items for various occasions and celebrations. Whether you're looking to decorate a Christmas tree, fireplace mantel, or your entire space, they have you covered. What sets Red's Holiday Decor apart is their personalized approach to holiday decorating. They work closely with each client to understand their ideas, vision, and holiday theme, and then create one-of-a-kind designs tailored specifically to them.

One of the unique services that Red's Holiday Decor offers is the option to shop for decor on behalf of the client. This means that they will take care of sourcing all the necessary decorations, ensuring that every piece is of the highest quality and fits within the client's budget. This shopping assistance extends to multiple stores, guaranteeing the best selection and prices for their clients.

Whether you already have a collection of holiday decorations that you'd like to incorporate into the design, or you're starting from scratch and looking for an entirely new look, Red's Holiday Decor can help. The owner personally handles all decorating services, ensuring that every detail is perfect and in line with the client's vision.

In addition to decorating homes, Red's Holiday Decor also offers their services for businesses and offices. They understand the importance of creating a festive and welcoming atmosphere for employees and customers alike, and are dedicated to providing high-quality designs that can accommodate a variety of budgets.

So, if you're in need of Custom Holiday Decor Designs in Orlando Florida (and the surrounding areas) and are looking to elevate your holiday decor this season, consider reaching out to Red's Holiday Decor. With their personalized and luxury design services, they can help transform your space into a winter wonderland that will spread holiday cheer to all who see it.



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