.png)
You can decorate a home that is on the market over the holidays, and done well, it helps. Buyers house-hunting in December are usually serious, and a home that feels warm and cared for leaves a stronger impression than one that feels frozen in time. The catch is that holiday decor is easy to overdo. Too much crowds rooms, hides the features buyers are paying for, and leaves listing photos looking dated by mid-January. The rule is simple: decorate the mood, not the calendar.
Decorating a home you're staying in? Our designer's guide to holiday decorating is the one for you.
Start with your listing photos, not your tree
Listing photos often stay online for weeks, and a living room full of Christmas decor still being viewed in late January tells buyers the home has been sitting. Talk to your realtor before you decorate:
- Photograph first, decorate after. Shoot the home styled but undecorated, then bring holiday pieces in for showings.
- Or shoot two sets. A decor-free set for the listing and a few festive shots for social media.
- Choose decor that ages well. Greenery, candles, wool throws and natural textures read as winter rather than Christmas, so they still look right after the holidays.
What helps
- A restrained palette of two or three colours that already suit the home.
- One well-sized tree in a corner or beside a window, never in front of the fireplace, the best window or a walkway. In condos, go slim or tabletop.
- Greenery and warm light, which make rooms feel larger and more inviting on dark winter afternoons.
- A welcoming entry: a simple wreath, cleared and salted walkway, clean mat and working exterior lights.
- A set dining table with a low centrepiece, so buyers can picture hosting there.
What hurts
- Too much of everything, which hides countertops, mantels and built-ins.
- An oversized tree that makes the room look smaller in person and in photos.
- Inflatables and novelty pieces, which photograph poorly.
- Very personal displays. Keep decor broadly welcoming so every buyer can picture their own celebrations there.
- Visible cords and piles of gifts, which add clutter and trip hazards.
- Strong scents, which can make buyers wonder what is being covered up.
- Decorated bedrooms. Keep them calm, styled and seasonless.
Showing your home in December
- Put tree and window lights on timers for evening showings.
- Keep real flames off during showings.
- Contain boots, coats and salt so the entry stays clear.
- Agree on showing windows with your realtor if you're hosting family.
- Take seasonal pieces down promptly after the holidays and keep the winter greenery, so the home looks current in January.
Holiday styling for listings and brokerages
ALT styles listing properties and brokerage offices for the season, with coordinated decor designed to complement the staging rather than compete with it. Packages start from $2,500, installations are completed before December 4, and bookings close November 13. See holiday styling →
Frequently asked questions
Should I decorate my house for Christmas if it is on the market?
Yes, in moderation. Keep the palette restrained, keep key features visible, and avoid decorating so heavily that buyers cannot see the rooms.
Should my listing photos show holiday decorations?
Usually not. Listing photos can stay online for weeks, and holiday decor makes a listing look dated after December. Photograph the home styled but undecorated.
Is it a bad idea to list a home in December?
Not necessarily. There are fewer buyers, but those looking in December tend to be motivated, and there is often less competition from other sellers.
Can a staging company decorate a listing for the holidays?
Yes. ALT offers holiday styling for listing properties and brokerages, designed around the home and installed by our team.
Getting ready to sell?
Read our Toronto home staging cost breakdown or see how we work on our Toronto home staging page.