You’re strolling the aisles of Target on just another Monday. You turn toward the back of the store. Then you see them: the holiday aisles. It doesn’t matter what holiday or season it is. It could be June or December, but it’s there and you can’t miss it. You turn the corner and wonder if you have those jars already. Or that welcome mat. Surely, you need more candles.
And suddenly, you feel compelled to gather all the perfectly curated seasonal items into your cart. Pump the breaks, friend.
Did you know you don’t have to buy more decor for each specific holiday or season? You can use decor for longer. It doesn’t just have to be for one specific holiday. This helps save you money and storage space in your home. It also seriously reduces visual clutter.
First things first: Think about how to use what you have.
Shop your home.
Start by using things you have in your home already. If you look hard enough, you can usually find things to repurpose. A container. A basket. Get creative and upcycle what you have. This way, you won’t feel compelled to buy new things each season.
Decorate around the four seasons instead of the holidays.
This works even if you don’t experience different seasons where you live. Don’t want 14 different holiday-specific welcome mats? Use seasonal ones instead. Or opt for greenery instead of Christmas garlands.
Think about what you’d normally change out. Wreaths? Signs? Rugs? Broaden your lens. Look at your decor and think about if it has one specific time of use.
Does your wreath scream Christmas? Do your signs have Easter eggs in them, rather than florals or something else that has a general spring vibe? Look for items that can stay up for longer than just a month.
Focus on textures.
Things like placemats, blankets, and throw pillows make for simple and easy swaps. When decorating, consider patterns, textures, and colors. This keeps your decor from being too holiday-specific.
Another way to decorate without buying too many new items is to use containers you already have.
Large lanterns, vases, or jars are easy decor staples. Just swap out their contents. For example, use a large lantern for your table centerpiece.
Instead of buying a new centerpiece every few months, change out its contents. This helps keep your decor spending on budget. You can use a candle, some pine cones for winter, a jar of sand or some shells, greenery for spring, or a wooden pumpkin for the fall.
Make things you already have more customizable.
Chalk art or vinyl decals are an easy way to change up decor without taking up much space or effort. First, upcycle a large wooden sign or chalkboard. Then, decorate the front.
You can even switch out holiday pictures. This is a great way to customize your decor without breaking the bank. Avoid buying new frames or larger wall items and print some pictures instead. Want to add in the feeling of summer, without spendy decor? Swap some family beach pictures into your frames.
Look for items that have more than one purpose.
Find a reversible seasonal sign. Or use a floral wreath for spring and summer. Use large outdoor planters year-round, but change what they hold. In spring, fill them with flowers. You can swap out flowers for pumpkins in the fall. In the cold weather, put small faux evergreens inside of them.
Use consumables as decor.
Fresh greenery, flowers, pumpkins, and other items found in nature are all great ways to create seasonal decor with little effort. This also reduces storage space. Once you use them, you can compost or recycle them for a second life.
If you’re looking to use less decor or stretch what you have for longer, it’s possible. But be intentional about what you have. Consider carefully what and if you really should buy something new, and think about how the decor you already own can serve you longer.
Adding a few new cute seasonal items is fine, but you don’t need to buy the entire aisle every year.
