10 Things I Would Do as an Interior Designer Before Hosting This Holiday Season
Hi there — Ashley here.
Every December, I get the same question:
“Okay, but what do YOU do in your own home before guests come over?”
So today, I’m giving you the real list — the actual things I do to make a home feel instantly more elevated, calm, and ready for the holidays.
| These aren’t trends. They’re not Pinterest hacks. They’re the subtle design decisions that make people walk in and say: “Your home feels amazing. What did you do?” |
Let’s get into it.
1. Remove 20% of surface décor before you add any holiday décor.
It’s the fastest way to make your home look more expensive.
Space > stuff.
2. Create a single guest zone.
A drink station, hot cocoa bar, snack corner — anything that keeps guests OUT of the kitchen triangle.
3. Fix the lighting (this is the secret sauce).
Warm bulbs only.
Lamps on.
Overhead lights dimmed.
Lighting is 80% of why a room feels good.
4. Refresh the powder room like it’s your home’s little boutique hotel.
Fresh towel.
Elevated soap.
Real candle.
This is where guests decide if your house is “put together.”
5. Edit your entryway.
It sets the tone.
Remove clutter, add a runner, light a candle, and place one beautiful branch arrangement (Tip: You can easily swap this out seasonally for an added touch of decor).
6. Add one oversized statement bowl.
On the island, dining table, or console.
It instantly makes the whole space feel intentional.
7. Do a 10-minute pantry reset.
One shelf becomes the “December shelf.”
Snacks + baking essentials front and center.
8. Add texture to every seating area.
A chunky throw.
A winter pillow.
A soft layer.
Texture = warmth.
9. Look at your guest flow like a designer.
Where will people walk?
Where do they naturally gather?
Rearrange one thing if it makes movement easier.
10. Pick one signature scent for the whole home.
Not 5 competing candles.
One consistent, subtle seasonal scent.
This is the luxury move.
Why These 10 Things Work
Because they make your home feel:
• calmer
• cleaner
• more inviting
• more curated
• more designer-level
• and most importantly… more intentional
You don’t need a renovation to create that feeling.
But if this season has made you think, “Okay, next year it’s time to fix the kitchen/pantry/layout…” — we’re here to help you create a home that works beautifully year-round.
Warmly,
Ashley Wozniak
- Megan
"Ashley has an extraordinary eye for design from furniture placement and decor to cabinetry and artwork. She transformed our space into a place we are proud to call home using a mix of new pieces and items we currently owned. The results look beautiful and function perfectly for our family."
"Ashley has an extraordinary eye for design."
- Nicole
"Working with Ashley was a wonderful experience. She listened and truly understood our wants and needs. She helped me see our space in new ways that were both functional and stylish. I could not have updated our main living space, primary bedroom and bathroom without Ashley's expertise. The end result is stunning!"
"The end result is stunning!"
- Christy
"Ashley has such a gift in understanding and implementing beautiful designs. As someone who works full time, and is too busy and overwhelmed to run around looking at samples from store-to-store, Ashley just KNOWS what looks best. She takes all of that time-consuming guess-work out of the equation, which is so valuable to me."
"The Guesswork is Gone!"
- Albert
"I appreciate Ashley's ability to work with both of us when there were competing views. I proposed an alternative after seeing an initial design and layout preferred by my spouse. Ashley deftly incorporated the style I was seeking and was able to seamlessly intertwine it with an earlier design, keeping us both happy in the process."
"Ashley kept us both happy."
