The Art of the Finishing Touch
How small details make your holiday home feel complete
By mid December, most of the decorating is done. The tree is sparkling, the stockings are in place, and the familiar pieces you love have already made their way out. This is the moment where everything settles in and your home takes on that cozy holiday glow. Now it becomes less about decorating and more about refining. The finishing touches are what make your space feel warm, personal, and pulled together for the rest of the season.
Start with what feels good already
Take a slow walk through your home and notice the areas that feel complete. These little moments become anchors for the rest of your styling. A bowl of ornaments that looks just right, a favorite candle, a tray that came together effortlessly. You do not need to change these spaces. Let them shine as they are.
Look for the corners that need a small lift
Instead of reworking entire rooms, focus on the areas that feel a bit flat. A side table, a dresser top, a console, or the corner of a bookshelf. These are the perfect places for a tiny refresh. One new layer can brighten the whole space without adding clutter.
A few ideas
• Add a mini arch to bring height and color to a vignette
• Swap in a new print that feels warm and winter inspired
• Bring in a touch of greenery for texture
• Style a candle on a tray with one or two sentimental pieces
These simple updates add life to the moments your eye naturally lands on.
Mix pieces you already love with something fresh
The best finishing touches feel collected. You can keep your treasured items exactly where they are and pair them with a small new addition. A framed print next to an heirloom bowl. A mini arch beside your favorite holiday candle. A stack of books topped with a ribbon or ornament. This blend of old and new creates charm and gives your home personality without making you start from scratch.
Play with pattern for an instant lift
Pattern does not need to be bold to make an impact. Even one small patterned piece can shift the whole feeling of a space. Think about
• a small print with a rich seasonal palette
• a patterned mini arch layered with books or greenery
• a subtle wallpaper panel used behind decor in an entry or hallway
You are simply adding visual interest. Pattern brings warmth, character, and a curated look even late in the season.
Tidy, zhuzh, and enjoy
This is the part of the season where your home should feel lived in. A little cozy, a little festive, and filled with pieces that make you happy. The finishing touches are never about perfection. They are about creating small moments of joy that make the rest of December feel calm and beautiful.
A candle moved to a new spot. A tray restyled with three items instead of five. A print swapped for one with deeper color. These tiny shifts make your home feel refreshed without adding more work to your plate.
Let your home tell your story
Your holiday home is a reflection of the memories you hold and the new things you bring in along the way. The art of the finishing touch is really the art of noticing. You are choosing what feels good, elevating what you already have, and making space for the season to unfold peacefully.
Curated. Warm. Personal. The perfect way to enjoy the rest of the holidays.