Holiday Decorating When Your Home Is on the Market

Selling your home this holiday season doesn't mean skipping the tree. The right decor can make a home feel warm and inviting to buyers, but too much can make rooms look smaller and pull attention away from the house itself. After 15 years designing vacation rentals and staging homes, here's how I help sellers find the balance.

Why a Little Holiday Decor Can Help

Buyers who tour homes in December are usually serious. They're braving the cold and giving up holiday time to look, which often means they need to move soon.

A few tasteful touches help those buyers feel what it would be like to live there. A softly lit tree, a wreath on the door, and a candle on the table can make a home feel cozy instead of empty, especially on a gray Spokane afternoon.

The goal isn't to show off your decorations. It's to help buyers picture their own holidays in the home.

What to Do

Edit before you decorate. Pack away about half of your usual decorations. Then put out only your favorites.

Choose a simple color palette. Two or three colors look calm and intentional. White, green, and natural wood work in almost any home and photograph beautifully.

Size the tree to the room. A slim or smaller tree keeps the living room feeling spacious. Place it where it won't block a window, fireplace, or walkway.

Lean on natural textures. Fresh greenery, pinecones, wood, and soft throws feel seasonal without feeling cluttered. A fresh garland on the mantel goes a long way.

Use warm lighting. Warm white string lights add a glow that makes rooms feel inviting during showings. Turn them on, along with every lamp, before buyers arrive.

Keep it to the main spaces. Focus on the entry, living room, and dining table. Bedrooms and bathrooms can stay simple.

What to Avoid

Covering the home's best features. Don't hide a fireplace, built-ins, or a great view behind decorations. Buyers need to see what they're paying for.

Crowding the rooms. Oversized trees, inflatables, and village displays make rooms feel smaller than they are.

Strong scents. Heavy candles and potpourri can overwhelm buyers or make them wonder what you're covering up. A light, clean scent is plenty.

Heavily personal or religious displays. Your traditions are meaningful, and you don't have to hide them. For showings, keep them modest so every buyer can picture their own family celebrating there.

Piles of presents and boxes. Wrapped gifts under the tree are charming in moderation. Stacks of shipping boxes in the garage or entry are not.

Decorating too early or leaving it up too long. Holiday photos look dated fast. Plan to take everything down soon after New Year's.

Listing Photos: Decorate Before or After?

This is the question I get most. My advice is to take your listing photos before the decorations go up whenever you can.

Photos with a Christmas tree can make a listing look stale by mid-January, even if the home just hit the market. Buyers scrolling online may assume it's been sitting for months.

If your home is already decorated, we have options. We can take a few key photos without the seasonal pieces, or swap in fresh exterior and room shots after the holidays. You can still decorate for showings once the photos are done.

Outside: Curb Appeal in Winter

The first impression starts in the driveway, and in Spokane that often means snow.

Keep paths clear and safe. Shovel and salt the driveway, walkway, and front steps before every showing. An icy walk is the fastest way to start a tour on the wrong foot.

Keep exterior lights simple. A clean line of white lights along the roofline or porch looks welcoming. Skip the inflatables and flashing color displays.

Dress up the front door. A fresh wreath, a pair of potted evergreens, and a new doormat make a strong first impression for very little money.

Light the way. Days are short in December. Make sure porch lights and walkway lights work so evening showings feel warm and safe.

Ready to Talk?

Thinking about selling this winter? Lynsey Cantlon brings 15 years of design and staging experience to every listing in Spokane, Coeur d'Alene, and the surrounding area. She'll walk through your home with you, help you decide what stays and what gets packed, and plan your photos so your listing looks fresh all season.

Reach out at lynseycantlon.com.

Frequently Asked Questions

Should I put up a Christmas tree if my house is for sale? Yes, if it fits the room. Choose a tree that doesn't crowd the space or block windows and features, and keep the decorations simple.

Will holiday decorations hurt my listing photos? They can make photos look outdated after the holidays. Take listing photos before decorating when possible, or plan to update them in January.

Is it a bad idea to sell a home during the holidays? Not at all. There's usually less competition, and buyers touring in December tend to be motivated.

What's the best outdoor decor for a home on the market? Simple white lights, a wreath, and potted evergreens. Most important, keep walkways and steps clear of snow and ice.

Do I need to remove religious decorations for showings? You don't have to remove them. Keeping displays modest helps every buyer picture themselves in the home.