As we turn the corner to winter, residents of A&G Residential homes are excited to fill their homes with festive warmth and seasonal charm. Decorating homes for the holiday season goes hand-in-hand with preparation for colder months. Tackling both creates a welcoming atmosphere while ensuring comfort and efficiency throughout the coldest season of the year. Each of A&G Residential’s new construction homes is built to be energy-efficient and beautiful, year-round! Our creative homeowners simply have to add a few finishing touches to ready their residences for winter bliss.

Sleigh Bells Ring, Are You Listening? The path to creating a winter wonderland offers many beautiful directions!

A Festive First Impression: Adding simple but impactful decorations to front doors and entryways creates instant magic.

• Hang a Lush Wreath: Pre-made wreaths can be found in local craft shops and boutiques or you can make your own with this easy DIY Winter Wreath. Make your wreath personal by adding a monogrammed initial or ornaments from your favorite places. Wreaths aren’t just for outdoors. Add a wreath to the powder room or pantry doors for an unexpected pop!
• Invest in a Seasonal Doormat: As chilly days arrive, shoes collect leaves, moisture, and more. A doormat with a wintery design is a small touch that can make a big difference in both aesthetics and cleanliness. Don’t forget to give that doormat a good shake regularly to loosen debris collected throughout the season.
• Adorn Planters and Porches: As darkness arrives earlier, adding lights to pathways is both practical and pretty. Fill planters with faux greenery and drape fairy lights within them! Add weather-proof lanterns to porch stairs to create a welcoming walkway. Many outdoor lights now come solar-ready so there will be no need to remember to turn them on or off.

Create a Cozy Interior: Combine ambient lighting, soft textures, and seasonal touches to create relaxing indoor spaces.

• Winter Warmth and Comfort: Add thick throw blankets, plush pillows, and cozy faux fur accents to your sofa and armchairs. Woolen or knit blankets in seasonal colors like deep reds, forest greens, or snowy whites evoke the holiday spirit and provide warmth.
• Carry the Cozy into Lighting: Swap out cool lighting for warmer, dimmable options that cast a softer glow. Floor and table lamps with warm bulbs provide a calming atmosphere that encourages relaxation and comfort on winter evenings.
• The Power of Scents: Candles are an easy way to add both warmth and a magical glow to any room. Opt for seasonal scents like cinnamon, pine, vanilla, or cedarwood to create a cozy atmosphere. Display candles in groups on coffee tables, mantels, or shelves to enhance the holiday ambiance.
• Seasonal Centerpieces: Another easy DIY is seasonal centerpieces! Make the most of natural elements by creating centerpieces for your coffee table or dining table with pinecones, evergreen branches, and berries. Place these items in a decorative bowl or basket, and add small ornaments or string lights to make it festive. Look here for inspiration: 30 Beautiful Centerpiece Ideas.

Don’t Forget the Kitchen! The kitchen and eating areas are perfect places to add a touch of festive decor!

• Table Settings: Dress up your eating spaces with a runner, tablecloth, or placemats in seasonal colors. Add napkin rings adorned with holly or miniature pinecones.
• Hot Beverage Station: Set up a hot chocolate station with mugs, jars of cocoa powder, and marshmallows. This is perfect for holiday gatherings or simply warming up after a chilly day outside. For more variety, add hot apple cider and teas!
• Spruce Up Prep Areas: Decorate your kitchen by hanging wreaths or garlands around cabinet doors or windows. Add holiday-themed dish towels and a cookie jar filled with homemade goodies for a cozy, festive feel.

Bedrooms, bathrooms, and more: Bedrooms and bathrooms may not be the most obvious places to decorate for winter, but adding a few thoughtful touches can turn them into peaceful retreats.

• Seasonal Bedding: Swap lightweight bedding for flannel sheets and thick comforters in warm, winter colors. Plaid patterns, deep greens, and plush fabrics can transform your bedroom into a winter sanctuary.
• Bedroom Accents: Add festive pillows and throws to beds or chairs. Small touches, like holiday light strings or a decorative wreath hung on the wall, can bring a touch of the holiday spirit to the room.
• Holiday Hand Towels and Rugs: Replace regular hand towels with winter-themed ones. A seasonally colored rug can also add warmth underfoot and bring a pop of color to bathrooms.

In the lane, snow is glistening! Ready your home for the coldest months of the year so that you can enjoy the beauty of winter, worry-free! For new homeowners, prepping for winter can be confusing. Here are a few must-dos that can be tackled in no time:

• Inspect and Insulate: Check for drafts around windows and doors. Use weatherstripping, caulking, or heavier curtains to keep cold air out.
• Service Heating Systems: As you settle into your new home, schedule an annual HVAC check-up to make sure it’s running efficiently. Replace the filter regularly to ensure proper airflow and energy efficiency.
• Check for Roof and Gutter Issues: Clean gutters to prevent ice dams, which can cause water damage to your home’s roof and exterior. Check your roof for missing or damaged shingles and make repairs as necessary.
• Prepare for Snow and Ice: While central North Carolina is not guaranteed snow or ice, it is still important to be prepared. Stock up on ice melt and purchase a sturdy snow shovel. Should winter weather arrive, keep walkways clear of snow and ice to prevent slips and falls.
• Protect Outdoor Faucets and Pipes: Drain and disconnect garden hoses, then cover outdoor faucets to protect them from freezing. Inside, insulate any pipes in unheated areas to prevent them from bursting in extremely cold weather.

Decorating your home for winter is more than just about festive touches; it’s a way to prepare your space to be as warm, inviting, and functional as possible during the colder months. Adding a mix of seasonal decor, indoors and out, creates a welcoming atmosphere that can make your home the cozy retreat you've always dreamed of. Winter is also the time to prepare for the elements, so taking a few steps to winterize your home now can save you from potential issues as temperatures drop.

The team at A&G Residential is so excited for our newest homeowners to embrace their first holiday season in their dream homes. We know that, for many, personalizing spaces has been the culmination of a lifelong dream, and are thrilled that they chose our team in partnership. If you’re looking for the perfect home to celebrate next year’s holiday season, now is the perfect time to get started!

From the entire team at A&G Residential, have a wonderful holiday season!