Designing for Holiday Memories

You might not notice it, but design is what shapes the way we gather and celebrate during the holidays. Lifestyle blogs often focus on how to set a table, decorate your mantel, or serve the best feast. But creating the perfect holiday atmosphere goes deeper than your choice of china and color schemes. It starts with the design of the very rooms where these special moments unfold. If you’re renovating or redesigning your home, it’s crucial to consider how you want to entertain in these spaces.

One of my favorite questions to ask clients is, “Where will your Christmas tree go?” or “How many guests do you host for Passover Seder?” How you use these spaces during the holidays can often get overlooked because they happen only a few times a year. While it’s true that comfort and serenity come from how you use your spaces day-to-day, the fleeting moments from holiday mornings and celebratory gatherings hold the memories we carry for a lifetime.

Think back to your own childhood. Chances are, you can picture exactly where you sat during those holiday celebrations. The rooms we design today are the settings for tomorrow’s memories.

Here are my top tips to create spaces that set the stage for your most meaningful moments:

Kitchen:  This is such an important space to get right if you love to entertain. Cooking for a lot of people? Double wall ovens are a must. Baking pies, cakes, and bread are always on the agenda? Finding a convenient place for that stand mixer is an absolute game changer. Love your grandmother’s china and want a safe place to store it? Let’s see if we can squeeze a butler’s pantry into the schematic. The kitchen during the holidays is always a chaotic space no matter how big or small. Maximizing function for these events is always at the top of the list.

Dining Room:  The right dining setup can transform your holiday meals. The main players in this space are your table, storage, and lighting. Choosing the right table depends on what kind of dining you usually do around the holidays. If it’s a small group of your favorite people, let’s look at a round or oval table for an intimate dining experience. If you often have a crew of people coming over, then you need a table that has versatility: leaves that can be added for extra seating and stored the rest of the year when it’s just the family. Choose storage solutions that can double as serving space; a vintage credenza is an excellent option. And don’t overlook lighting. You want the ability to create that perfect mood, like after dinner when everyone refuses to leave the table and coffee or liqueur is served. My absolute best recommendation? Every switch in your house should be on a dimmer. This makes a massive difference to the quality of your experience in every space.

Living Room:  This is one of my favorite rooms to design for the holidays. Think about Christmas morning, or settling in after an amazing Thanksgiving meal. What happens in these moments? Is your family musical? Do you have or want a piano? Then we must design for that, creating a space that highlights it as a focal point, with enough space around it to gather and sing. Renovating your living room and you don’t see a good spot for the tree? Maybe it’s time to discuss adding a bay window with the perfect view from every sightline. And while we’re at it, we can put in additional power outlets for all your extra lights.

As you move through this holiday season, take note of what works and what doesn’t. Designing a space you love, one that works for your life, is all about the tiny details that are so often overlooked.

How do you make memories during your holiday celebrations? Connect with me on Instagram — I’d love to hear your story!

Laura Gransberry is a Santa Barbara–based interior designer, specializing in helping clients find renovation ready properties and transform them into magazine-quality homes. She can be reached at laura@lauragransberry.com, and on Instagram @lauragransberrydesign. Visit lauragransberry.com to learn more!