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Our Favorite Picks for a Warm and Inviting Space
With the holidays around the corner, it’s time to set the stage for a season of gathering and celebration. Hosting friends and family is about more than just good food and company—it’s about creating a magical atmosphere that makes everyone feel at home. To help you make this holiday season memorable, we’ve curated our favorite picks and expert tips to transform your home into a cozy, inviting haven.
Embrace a Grounding Color Palette
Creating a warm, grounding effect begins with choosing the right color palette. This season, chocolate brown, forecasted as the designer color of choice for 2025, is a perfect fit. Not only is this rich, earthy hue on trend, but it also brings a nourishing, stable energy connected to the earth element in Feng Shui. Paired with shades of green, which symbolizes renewal and vitality, this palette is an ideal balance of warmth and freshness, grounding your space and setting the perfect backdrop for intimate gatherings.
For an extra layer of harmony, incorporate natural materials such as terra cotta, ceramic, and wood. In Feng Shui, these earth-based materials evoke stability and comfort, bringing balance to the space. Adding elements like terra cotta vases, wooden serving trays, or even ceramic candle holders can help create a beautifully layered look that’s both stylish and serene.
The Power of Lighting to Set the Mood
Lighting is a critical element in designing an inviting dining room, especially during the holiday season when gatherings are frequent. We recommend having three light sources in the space to provide flexibility and control over the room’s ambiance.
Start with a chandelier over the dining table for general illumination—opt for warm bulbs at no more than 2700K in temperature to avoid the stark, blueish light that cooler bulbs (+3500K) can cast. The goal is to mimic the cozy glow of candlelight, not the brightness of daylight.
Adding table lights and candles around the room can create a soft, layered effect, ideal for hosting. When dimmed and paired with a darker color palette, these lighting layers will give your dining room an intimate, inviting feel. Imagine the effect of dim lights, twinkling candles, and a darker palette—it’s the perfect recipe for a relaxed yet elegant dinner party setting.
How gorgeous is the effect of twinkling lights in this hotel restaurant?
Engage the Senses for an Immersive Experience
When setting up for gatherings, think beyond just the visual elements. Engaging multiple senses can elevate the atmosphere and make your home feel like a high-end restaurant. Here are some ideas to add that extra layer of warmth:
Texture: Choose chairs and textiles with tactile finishes, like velvet or linen, that are comfortable and inviting.
Art and Decor: Incorporate conversation-starting artwork or decorative accents that make a statement.
Scented Candles: Choose warm, seasonal scents like cinnamon, clove, or cedarwood to create a cozy aroma.
Background Music: A subtle playlist with jazz, classical, or acoustic music can set a comfortable tone and fill any silences without overpowering conversations.
Think of your favorite restaurant settings—often dim, softly lit, and slightly bustling, they invite us to relax and enjoy. Your home can capture the same vibe by incorporating these thoughtful details that engage each sense, leaving guests feeling welcomed and at ease.
Finishing Touches: Accessory Picks for a Cozy Gathering
To bring it all together and create a cozy home decor, here are some of our suggestions to complete the festive and welcoming look of your home:
Mini Lights: Small lamps, or twinkling string lights are perfect for adding a soft glow around windows, mantels, or along the dining table.
Earthy Serveware: Terra cotta bowls or wooden serving boards add warmth and complement a grounded color palette.
Plush Throw Blankets: Drape soft, cozy throws over chairs or sofas to make lounging areas feel extra inviting.
Statement Candles: Opt for chunky, fresh scented candle, vintage ceramic holders in pops of earthy colors for a grounded, earthy touch on the table.
AHD Interior Design Concept Our Cozy Home Decor Picks for this Holiday Season:
Here are our picks for this holiday season to help you bring the magic in your home:
Gibson Floor Lamp This lamp gives the coziest glow and can set the mood for any special evening.
Mini Art Deco Cordless Lamp by Modern Lamp. I recently dined at Elia in Chicago and not only loved the food but also relished in the intimate atmosphere, enhanced by mini table lamps on each table. Such a lovely effect!
O’Bright Portable LED Table Lamp. The budget-friendly version of #2 and the actual lamp that Elia uses.
Petrified Wood Platter. Imagine how fascinating your food will look in these bowls! You don't even have to be a good cook, the food will look great anyway :)
Rose Marble Bowl. The versatile rose marble bowls are perfect for displaying fruit on your kitchen island.
Stone Bowl. A fabulous versatile Thassos-marble look stone bowl for serving fruit.
Geometric Throw Pillow Loving this vintage 70s print made of wool and cotton that just invites you to cozy up.
Striped Soft Throw. The perfect throw for movie-nights and a gorgeous accent to drape over your sofa or your bed.
MossThrow Pillow. A perfect way to bring some green color back in the home. Also, remember to vary the size and shape of your throw pillows when clustering.
Marble Anywhere Side Table Ok, ok, this is not exactly a small accessory or investment, however these small side tables are always great to have when hosting. Someone always pulls up a chair from some other area of the home to join a sitting circle or maybe this serves that one spot that is too far from the coffee table.
Candle Holder by STOFF Nagel. I love these modular candle holders, they look great in all the finishes and you can keep adding to them over time and have fun creating impressive candle structures.
Sicilian Thyme Diffuser. It's always a good idea to delight all the senses while hosting, and this fresh diffuser rounds out the room experience.
Find more of our curated treasures here:
With the right colors, textures, lighting, and accessories, your home can be transformed into a welcoming haven, inviting your guests to relax and enjoy. We hope these tips and our hand-picked accessories help you create a space that will leave a lasting impression. Let the holiday season begin with warmth, joy, and connection, right from the heart of your home.
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