Home Tour Archives - Houzewize Home Decor, DIY projects, recipes, Lifestyle, Creativity Fri, 29 May 2026 05:23:46 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=7.0 174771563 DIY Wood Privacy Fence: (Project That Transformed Our Yard) https://houzewize.com/diy-wood-privacy-fence-project-that-transformed-our-yard/ https://houzewize.com/diy-wood-privacy-fence-project-that-transformed-our-yard/#respond Wed, 06 May 2026 15:49:27 +0000 https://houzewize.com/?p=4847 DIY Backyard Wood Privacy Fence: How We Built Ours Step-by-Step instructions. Transform your outdoor space with a DIY wood privacy fence and enjoy your backyard like never before this summer. If your backyard feels exposed, a DIY wood privacy fence can completely transform the space. In this post, I’m sharing how we built our backyard wood privacy fence step by step, what materials we used, how we spaced the posts, and how the finished fence made our yard feel more private, cozy, and complete. As soon as the temperature starts to creep up, we get the itch to enjoy our backyard space as much as possible. There’s something about warm weather that makes me want to live outdoors. Entertaining and dining alfresco in the backyard is our favorite pastime during the warmer months. But if I’m being honest… our backyard wasn’t always a place we wanted to hang out in. It was open, unfinished, and lacked privacy. The only thing in our yard was the bluestone pavers installed after Hurricane Sandy. The pavers defined our small backyard area, but that is all it did. It didn’t feel cozy or relaxing at all! So, during the height of the pandemic in 2020, we finally decided to give our backyard a much-needed makeover. It was a great way to keep ourselves distracted during such a precarious time. Since we already had a complete blank slate, it was easier to get started. So we started visualizing what we needed in our backyard and created a design plan. The Backyard Transformation Begins The very first feature we added was this beautiful pergola, which my husband built in 3 days. It was the height of COVID lockdowns, and like many people, my husband needed something productive to focus on. With all the free time, he dove right into our backyard makeover. That pergola ended up setting the stage for everything else we added to the yard. From there, the backyard slowly began transforming from a bland, empty space into a cozy outdoor sanctuary. Some of the DIY projects we completed included: • Building a backyard pergola• DIY two extra-large cement planters• Building an outdoor console table• Constructing a large outdoor dining table Little by little, our backyard started to feel like an extension of our home. But one thing was still missing. Privacy! Why We Decided to Build a Privacy Fence? Our backyard borders another property that, unfortunately, has been empty for years. No one has lived there for almost a decade, and that yard has become pretty unsightly. We decided to build a wood privacy fence to block out the overgrown yard next door. Two sides of our backyard already had a white PVC fence with decorative fretwork on top that faced the street. But I didn’t want the same style going all the way around the yard. We wanted something warmer and moodier to complement the pergola and wood features we had added. So we decided to build a wood privacy fence along the side that connects to the neighboring yard. The difference it made was incredible. Our backyard instantly went from an open, exposed space to a private and cozy retreat. How to Build a Backyard Privacy Fence (Step-by-Step) If you’re thinking about building a DIY privacy fence, here’s exactly how we did it. Step 1: Mark the Fence Layout The first step is to mark where the fence will go. We started by running a string line along the fence path. This helps keep the fence perfectly straight. Next, figure out the spacing between posts. Typically, fence posts are spaced 6 to 8 feet apart. Because of the height of our fence, we spaced our posts 6ft apart for additional strength and stability. Step 2: Set the Corner Posts First Corner posts are always installed first. Once those posts are in place, you can stretch a string line between them to guide the placement of the remaining posts. This ensures the fence stays perfectly straight across the entire length. Step 3: Prepare the Fence Post Holes Fence post holes should typically be: • About 2–3 feet deep• 10–12 inches wide Digging deep holes is important because it provides the structural support needed to keep the fence stable over time. Adding a few inches of gravel at the bottom of each hole helps with drainage and prevents moisture damage. Step 4: Set Posts in Concrete Once the holes are ready, place the post inside and pour concrete around the base. Before the concrete sets, check that the post is completely straight using a level. This step is crucial because everything else in the fence will align with these posts. Allow the concrete to cure for at least 24 hours before attaching rails or panels. Step 5: Install the Horizontal Rails After the posts are secure, install the horizontal rails between them. Most privacy fences use two or three horizontal rails, depending on the height. The rails create the structure that the fence boards will attach to. Step 6: Attach the Fence Boards Now comes the part where the fence really starts to take shape. Attach the vertical fence boards one by one across the rails. We left a small gap between boards to allow the wood to expand and contract with temperature changes. Keeping the tops aligned will give the fence a clean, professional look. Step 7: Stain or paint the Wood fence In order to protect the wood from weather damage, we used Advanced Deck and Concrete paint. We painted the wood fence the exact same color as the concrete wall beneath the white PVC fence helped tie the color scheme throughout the yard. Painting or staining the wood fence helps to: • Protect against moisture• Prevent sun fading• Reduce warping and cracking• Extend the life of the fence The Final Result: A Cozy Backyard Sanctuary Once the fence was complete, the backyard took on such an incredible transformation. We were able to add these beautiful goose neck sconces and hang plants on the new fence to shed light above the bbq area. Finally, our exposed yard turned into a cozy outdoor living space where we actually enjoy spending time. Even though we have added a lot to our backyard, there are always new projects that make their way onto our to-do list. A wood privacy fence that creates the perfect amount of seclusion. Is Building a Privacy Fence Worth It? Final thoughts Absolutely. Looking back, building our privacy fence was one of the most impactful backyard projects we completed. If your backyard feels exposed or lacks character, building a privacy fence might be exactly the project you need. Our backyard may look smaller now, but we have defined our space and made the yard feel much more intimate and intentional. Its privacy and coziness is well worth it. If you’re willing to DIY a wood privacy fence, you can save thousands compared to hiring contractors. It took a yard that once felt open and unfinished and turned it into a peaceful outdoor retreat. Sometimes the biggest backyard transformations start with just one simple idea. For us… It started with a fence. Disclosure: Affiliate links are used in this post

The post DIY Wood Privacy Fence: (Project That Transformed Our Yard) appeared first on Houzewize.

]]> DIY Backyard Wood Privacy Fence: How We Built Ours Step-by-Step instructions.

Transform your outdoor space with a DIY wood privacy fence and enjoy your backyard like never before this summer.

How We Built a Backyard Wood Privacy Fence

If your backyard feels exposed, a DIY wood privacy fence can completely transform the space. In this post, I’m sharing how we built our backyard wood privacy fence step by step, what materials we used, how we spaced the posts, and how the finished fence made our yard feel more private, cozy, and complete.

As soon as the temperature starts to creep up, we get the itch to enjoy our backyard space as much as possible. There’s something about warm weather that makes me want to live outdoors.

Entertaining and dining alfresco in the backyard is our favorite pastime during the warmer months. But if I’m being honest… our backyard wasn’t always a place we wanted to hang out in.

DIY wood privacy fence

It was open, unfinished, and lacked privacy. The only thing in our yard was the bluestone pavers installed after Hurricane Sandy. The pavers defined our small backyard area, but that is all it did. It didn’t feel cozy or relaxing at all!

So, during the height of the pandemic in 2020, we finally decided to give our backyard a much-needed makeover. It was a great way to keep ourselves distracted during such a precarious time.

Since we already had a complete blank slate, it was easier to get started. So we started visualizing what we needed in our backyard and created a design plan.

The Backyard Transformation Begins

The very first feature we added was this beautiful pergola, which my husband built in 3 days.

It was the height of COVID lockdowns, and like many people, my husband needed something productive to focus on. With all the free time, he dove right into our backyard makeover.

That pergola ended up setting the stage for everything else we added to the yard.

From there, the backyard slowly began transforming from a bland, empty space into a cozy outdoor sanctuary.

Some of the DIY projects we completed included:

• Building a backyard pergola
• DIY two extra-large cement planters
• Building an outdoor console table
• Constructing a large outdoor dining table

Little by little, our backyard started to feel like an extension of our home.

But one thing was still missing.

Privacy!

Why We Decided to Build a Privacy Fence?

Our backyard borders another property that, unfortunately, has been empty for years. No one has lived there for almost a decade, and that yard has become pretty unsightly.

We decided to build a wood privacy fence to block out the overgrown yard next door. Two sides of our backyard already had a white PVC fence with decorative fretwork on top that faced the street.

DIY wood privacy fence

But I didn’t want the same style going all the way around the yard.

We wanted something warmer and moodier to complement the pergola and wood features we had added.

So we decided to build a wood privacy fence along the side that connects to the neighboring yard.

The difference it made was incredible.

Our backyard instantly went from an open, exposed space to a private and cozy retreat.

How We Built a Backyard Wood Privacy Fence (DIY Project That Transformed Our Yard)

How to Build a Backyard Privacy Fence (Step-by-Step)

If you’re thinking about building a DIY privacy fence, here’s exactly how we did it.

Step 1: Mark the Fence Layout

The first step is to mark where the fence will go.

We started by running a string line along the fence path. This helps keep the fence perfectly straight.

Next, figure out the spacing between posts.

Typically, fence posts are spaced 6 to 8 feet apart.

Because of the height of our fence, we spaced our posts 6ft apart for additional strength and stability.

Step 2: Set the Corner Posts First

Corner posts are always installed first.

Once those posts are in place, you can stretch a string line between them to guide the placement of the remaining posts.

This ensures the fence stays perfectly straight across the entire length.

Step 3: Prepare the Fence Post Holes

Fence post holes should typically be:

• About 2–3 feet deep
• 10–12 inches wide

Digging deep holes is important because it provides the structural support needed to keep the fence stable over time.

Adding a few inches of gravel at the bottom of each hole helps with drainage and prevents moisture damage.

Step 4: Set Posts in Concrete

Once the holes are ready, place the post inside and pour concrete around the base.

Before the concrete sets, check that the post is completely straight using a level.

This step is crucial because everything else in the fence will align with these posts.

Allow the concrete to cure for at least 24 hours before attaching rails or panels.

Step 5: Install the Horizontal Rails

After the posts are secure, install the horizontal rails between them.

Most privacy fences use two or three horizontal rails, depending on the height.

The rails create the structure that the fence boards will attach to.

Step 6: Attach the Fence Boards

Now comes the part where the fence really starts to take shape.

How We Built a Backyard Wood Privacy Fence (DIY Project That Transformed Our Yard)

Attach the vertical fence boards one by one across the rails.

We left a small gap between boards to allow the wood to expand and contract with temperature changes.

Keeping the tops aligned will give the fence a clean, professional look.

How We Built a Backyard Wood Privacy Fence (DIY Project That Transformed Our Yard)

How We Built a Backyard Wood Privacy Fence (DIY Project That Transformed Our Yard)

Step 7: Stain or paint the Wood fence

How We Built a Backyard Wood Privacy Fence (DIY Project That Transformed Our Yard)

In order to protect the wood from weather damage, we used Advanced Deck and Concrete paint.

We painted the wood fence the exact same color as the concrete wall beneath the white PVC fence helped tie the color scheme throughout the yard.

Painting or staining the wood fence helps to:

• Protect against moisture
• Prevent sun fading
• Reduce warping and cracking
• Extend the life of the fence

The Final Result: A Cozy Backyard Sanctuary

Once the fence was complete, the backyard took on such an incredible transformation.

We were able to add these beautiful goose neck sconces and hang plants on the new fence to shed light above the bbq area.

Finally, our exposed yard turned into a cozy outdoor living space where we actually enjoy spending time.

DIY wood privacy fence

Even though we have added a lot to our backyard, there are always new projects that make their way onto our to-do list.

A wood privacy fence that creates the perfect amount of seclusion.

Is Building a Privacy Fence Worth It? Final thoughts

Absolutely.

Looking back, building our privacy fence was one of the most impactful backyard projects we completed.

If your backyard feels exposed or lacks character, building a privacy fence might be exactly the project you need.

Our backyard may look smaller now, but we have defined our space and made the yard feel much more intimate and intentional. Its privacy and coziness is well worth it.

If you’re willing to DIY a wood privacy fence, you can save thousands compared to hiring contractors.

It took a yard that once felt open and unfinished and turned it into a peaceful outdoor retreat.

Sometimes the biggest backyard transformations start with just one simple idea.

For us…

It started with a fence.

DIY wood privacy fence: (Project That Transformed Our Yard)

Disclosure: Affiliate links are used in this post

The post DIY Wood Privacy Fence: (Project That Transformed Our Yard) appeared first on Houzewize.

]]> https://houzewize.com/diy-wood-privacy-fence-project-that-transformed-our-yard/feed/ 0 4847 Preparing for Spring – Fresh Spring decor ideas https://houzewize.com/preparing-for-spring-fresh-spring-decor-ideas/ https://houzewize.com/preparing-for-spring-fresh-spring-decor-ideas/#comments Fri, 21 Mar 2025 13:49:08 +0000 https://houzewize.com/?p=4520 Ah, Spring! The season of refreshing and renewing. Blooming flowers and longer days, time to shake off those winter melancholy feelings that some of us go through. Time to prepare your home for the spring season, and I’ll show you a few fresh spring decor ideas I bring into my home. It has been a minute since my last post. Winter blues always get to me, and I drag myself to accomplish what I have to do during the cold, dreary days of winter! Do you feel that as well, or is that just me? lol! Now that the temperature is slowly rising and more steady sunny days are here, I’m feeling energized! I am getting the itch to start on the projects I have been planning to do for a while. But first, I want to welcome spring by preparing with these fresh and pretty spring ideas. ****This post may contain affiliate links, which means if you purchase something via one of my links, I may make a small commission.**** Rebirths of vibrant flowers and warmer days invigorate me with a feeling of freshness and rejuvenation. At the slightest sign of spring, I open all the windows briefly to bring in the fresh air. After months of keeping a tightly sealed house to keep the warm air in, it is refreshing to circulate the air throughout the home. Prepare for Spring refresh with a deep cleaning of your home Giving my house a deep cleaning always makes it feel so refreshed that I can’t skip this part. Deep cleaning your house from top to bottom and in every nook and cranny is no easy task. It can take days for bigger cleaning projects. But if you pace yourself with one area at a time, you’ll have a clean, fresh, sparkling house soon enough. Here’s a great guide to the ultimate spring cleaning and a to-do checklist to make it easier to tackle. Also, If you have the right tools, it can make the job easier and more enjoyable. Here are some of the best tools to use to get the job done easily and efficiently. You can click on the words in the picture to take you to the link to these great products. Lighten up your textile Let’s chuck the chunky blankets and faux fur for lighter, airier throws. The same goes for dark pillows and fur pillows, which bring in all the coziness for the winter. It’s time to brighten up and refresh your space. Now, let’s get to the pretty part… Create an inviting entry Your entryway is the first thing guests see when they walk in, so adding a beautiful floral wreath on your front door is a great way to welcome them and the spring season. Spring flowers by the front door also add to the curb appeal and the seasonal charm. Styling around your front door with lanterns and decorative items creates a welcoming entrance. Add fresh or faux flowers to your home to prepare for Spring – Fresh spring decor ideas The easiest way to bring spring into your home is by incorporating fresh or faux flowers. One of my favorite places to get fresh flowers is Trader Joe’s. The array of beautiful flowers and stems greets you as soon as you enter the store. You can’t help but grab a few bunches or so, and they are so reasonably priced, it’s a win-win! I love to have fresh flowers as often as I can. But, let’s be real, they are short-lived, especially for me, I kill them in a few days! Which can be very costly. So, I mix them with good-quality faux blooms that last longer and still look good. I mix faux spring flowers or greenery to have a consistent spring vibe throughout my house when I can’t have fresh flowers. There are so many beautiful, realistic ones out there that it doesn’t have to cost a lot to achieve a beautiful spring look. Add a touch of faux greenery when you can’t have the real thing A simple vase filled with faux stems on a coffee table can make a big impact. Faux olive trees are all the rage now and can help to soften the room with its foliage. Here are a few of my favorites… Create an easy Spring tablescape Whether you’re decorating for Easter, Mother’s Day, or just want to brighten up your dining area for the spring season, a lovely, colorful tablescape is a great addition. Vibrant florals, table runners, placemats, tablecloths, and settings can also be beautiful spring decor. Freshen up with paint This upcoming season is a great time to refresh and renew your home with paint. Mild temperatures create the ideal conditions for painting. The ability to open windows for ventilation and low humidity makes spring a great time to freshen up some tired walls. Update your bedding for a spring refresh Preparing for spring with these fresh decor ideas doesn’t have to be complicated or expensive. A few simple swaps, lighter fabrics, fresh or faux flowers, soft colors, and a little decluttering can go a long way. Credit: Toolzview Choosing the right bedding can transform your bedroom into a serene oasis. Here are 12 Elegant Spring Bedding Ideas for a Dreamy Bedroom. Incorporate various textures such as silky pillows paired with a chunky Knit throw for that inviting feel. Keep a cohesive look with a common theme, such as a botanical print or a specific color accent. Credit: Toolzview What is your favorite way to prepare for Spring? I would love to know what fresh spring decor ideas you use in your home. Let me know in the comments below!

The post Preparing for Spring – Fresh Spring decor ideas appeared first on Houzewize.

]]>

Ah, Spring! The season of refreshing and renewing. Blooming flowers and longer days, time to shake off those winter melancholy feelings that some of us go through. Time to prepare your home for the spring season, and I’ll show you a few fresh spring decor ideas I bring into my home.

DIY black burnished glaze vase - Pottery Barn knock off

It has been a minute since my last post. Winter blues always get to me, and I drag myself to accomplish what I have to do during the cold, dreary days of winter! Do you feel that as well, or is that just me? lol!

Now that the temperature is slowly rising and more steady sunny days are here, I’m feeling energized! I am getting the itch to start on the projects I have been planning to do for a while. But first, I want to welcome spring by preparing with these fresh and pretty spring ideas.

Preparing for Spring - Fresh spring decor ideas

****This post may contain affiliate links, which means if you purchase something via one of my links, I may make a small commission.****

Preparing for spring-Fresh spring decor ideas

Rebirths of vibrant flowers and warmer days invigorate me with a feeling of freshness and rejuvenation. At the slightest sign of spring, I open all the windows briefly to bring in the fresh air. After months of keeping a tightly sealed house to keep the warm air in, it is refreshing to circulate the air throughout the home.

Preparing for Spring - Fresh spring decor ideas

Prepare for Spring refresh with a deep cleaning of your home

Giving my house a deep cleaning always makes it feel so refreshed that I can’t skip this part. Deep cleaning your house from top to bottom and in every nook and cranny is no easy task. It can take days for bigger cleaning projects. But if you pace yourself with one area at a time, you’ll have a clean, fresh, sparkling house soon enough. Here’s a great guide to the ultimate spring cleaning and a to-do checklist to make it easier to tackle.

Also, If you have the right tools, it can make the job easier and more enjoyable.

Here are some of the best tools to use to get the job done easily and efficiently.

You can click on the words in the picture to take you to the link to these great products.

E-Cloth Window Cleaning Cloth – Window and Glass
Electric Spin Scrubber,
Bissell Little Green Pro
Hard Bristle Crevice Cleaning Brush
Retractable Gap Dust Cleaner
Shark Steam & Scrub with Steam Blaster

Lighten up your textile

Let’s chuck the chunky blankets and faux fur for lighter, airier throws. The same goes for dark pillows and fur pillows, which bring in all the coziness for the winter.

Preparing for Spring - Fresh spring decor ideas

It’s time to brighten up and refresh your space.

Now, let’s get to the pretty part…

Create an inviting entry

Your entryway is the first thing guests see when they walk in, so adding a beautiful floral wreath on your front door is a great way to welcome them and the spring season.

Spring flowers by the front door also add to the curb appeal and the seasonal charm. Styling around your front door with lanterns and decorative items creates a welcoming entrance.

Preparing for Spring - Fresh spring decor ideas

Add fresh or faux flowers to your home to prepare for Spring – Fresh spring decor ideas

The easiest way to bring spring into your home is by incorporating fresh or faux flowers.

One of my favorite places to get fresh flowers is Trader Joe’s. The array of beautiful flowers and stems greets you as soon as you enter the store. You can’t help but grab a few bunches or so, and they are so reasonably priced, it’s a win-win!

I love to have fresh flowers as often as I can. But, let’s be real, they are short-lived, especially for me, I kill them in a few days! Which can be very costly.

So, I mix them with good-quality faux blooms that last longer and still look good.

I mix faux spring flowers or greenery to have a consistent spring vibe throughout my house when I can’t have fresh flowers. There are so many beautiful, realistic ones out there that it doesn’t have to cost a lot to achieve a beautiful spring look.

Add a touch of faux greenery when you can’t have the real thing

A simple vase filled with faux stems on a coffee table can make a big impact. Faux olive trees are all the rage now and can help to soften the room with its foliage.

Here are a few of my favorites…

Magnolia stems
Magnolia flowers
Preparing for Spring - Fresh spring decor ideas
tulips
Cherry Blossoms
Preparing for Spring - Fresh spring decor ideas
Ranunculus
Preparing for Spring - Fresh spring decor ideas
Mixed bouquet

Create an easy Spring tablescape

Whether you’re decorating for Easter, Mother’s Day, or just want to brighten up your dining area for the spring season, a lovely, colorful tablescape is a great addition. Vibrant florals, table runners, placemats, tablecloths, and settings can also be beautiful spring decor.

Preparing for Spring - Fresh spring decor ideas

Preparing for Spring - Fresh spring decor ideas

Preparing for Spring - Fresh spring decor ideas

Preparing for Spring - Fresh spring decor ideas

Freshen up with paint

This upcoming season is a great time to refresh and renew your home with paint. Mild temperatures create the ideal conditions for painting. The ability to open windows for ventilation and low humidity makes spring a great time to freshen up some tired walls.

Update your bedding for a spring refresh

Preparing for spring with these fresh decor ideas doesn’t have to be complicated or expensive. A few simple swaps, lighter fabrics, fresh or faux flowers, soft colors, and a little decluttering can go a long way.

Credit: Toolzview

Choosing the right bedding can transform your bedroom into a serene oasis. Here are 12 Elegant Spring Bedding Ideas for a Dreamy Bedroom. Incorporate various textures such as silky pillows paired with a chunky Knit throw for that inviting feel. Keep a cohesive look with a common theme, such as a botanical print or a specific color accent.

Credit: Toolzview

What is your favorite way to prepare for Spring? I would love to know what fresh spring decor ideas you use in your home. Let me know in the comments below!

The post Preparing for Spring – Fresh Spring decor ideas appeared first on Houzewize.

]]> https://houzewize.com/preparing-for-spring-fresh-spring-decor-ideas/feed/ 3 4520 Holiday Home Tour 2024: Cozy Christmas Decor Ideas https://houzewize.com/holiday-home-tour-2024-elegant-and-nostalgic-christmas-decor-to-inspire-you/ Tue, 17 Dec 2024 23:20:48 +0000 https://houzewize.com/?p=4385 Ah, the magic of Christmas! There’s nothing quite like transforming your home into a cozy, festive space filled with twinkling lights, nostalgic touches, and a sprinkle of elegance. Welcome to my Holiday Home Tour 2024. So my dear friends, grab a cup of hot cocoa and let’s take a tour of our home’s and the ways we created our Christmas vibe for 2024. Here’s our living room before we dressed up our house for the holidays… Decorating our home takes a few weeks and my house gets inundated with boxes of holiday decorations. It’s all process of the creating the holiday cheer in our home, and it’s well worth it. I always say I’m going to start early every year. There are so many birthday celebrations in November. Plus, we commit to a fundraiser for JDRF and The Little North Pole. I feel like I’m scrambling to get things done for the holidays. ****************************************************************************************************** Speaking of JDRF and The Little North Pole is a holiday spectacular event that happens across the street from my house. Our friend Joe Mure, Jr, and along with 50-100 friends and neighbors decorate his house which is now know as The Little North Pole. He has been putting up this display for decades to raise money for children with Juvenile Diabetes. Joe has given millions of dollars that he has raised over time to JDRF. Such an amazing cause. They start November 1st. On the first Saturday of December, the street is closed off for the big event. Thousands of people from all over attend to celebrate in the event. Trucks of food, DJ, a stage is set up for celebrities, rising singers and dancers. Such an amazing holiday event for our neighborhood. After the entertainment performs, a helicopter comes swooping down and up show Santa is arriving. Finally the Santa is brought in by convoy of fire trucks. He sits on the stage and gives thousands of toys to children that are anxiously has been awaiting his arrival. It is truly a wonderful experience! ****************************************************************************************************** Onto my Holiday Home Tour 2024 Our mighty Christmas tree Let’s’ begin our 2024 holiday home tour with our 11 foot Christmas tree. Every year we go to the tree farm in search of the perfect Christmas tree. We come home with the widest and the tallest tree we can squeeze into our living room. Once the tree is set in its place, starting from the top we weave the lights through the branches in and out to the bottom. The tree is filled with twinkling lights with a couple of elves helping me, (my other elf is a bit camera shy :). The tree looked beautiful with just lights. Except, I am not the simple type of person when it comes to decorating for Christmas! I love a tree filled with beautiful ornaments, trinkets that can tell a story or ones handmade with love. Christmas wouldn’t be the same without a nod to cherished memories. It’s all about embracing family heirlooms, handmade decorations, and nostalgic touches that makes our home unique. I love bows and they are having a moment this year, I couldn’t wait to incorporate it into my decor. This year, I chose modern sophistication mixed in with our usual nostalgic decor. Think ornate gold accents, shimmering glass ornaments, along with lush velvet ornaments draped on our tree. Last year, I created a woodland theme which I absolutely loved, but I went a little different this year. My friend had this keepsake ornament made to treasure our incredible trip to Italy in 2022. I made these ornaments last year and love the way they turned out…  A touch of timeless elegance on the mantel One of my favorite places to decorate is our fireplace mantel. I started with hanging the garland an asymmetrical way on the fireplace. Adding clusters of silvery, champagne colored ornaments in varying sizes on the garland gave it such an elegant appearance. I’ve been wanting to try this clustered ornament look for a while. I really love the way it turned out. I added extra oversize ornaments to the bottom of the garland for a bold statement. Sentimental Nostalgia We have our little “memory tree” filled with little wooden ornaments saved from my husband’s childhood. I can’t believe these adorable ornaments are around 40 years old! Miniature Christmas Villages Create your own little village finished with glowing lights, snowy rooftops, and tiny figurines. We had our village for many years and have been adding to it whenever we can. But, I can’t fit anymore to it so I have to refrain from buying anymore. There’s something so special about our little Christmas village. Little kiddos come to our house and get mesmerized. They play with the little figurines as if they were part of the village. Adults are also captivated by imagining the quaint village come to life. Console table styling for Christmas Our entry console table is dressed with the most beautiful faux pine stems. We arranged them in bunches to add volume. These bushels hang on the mirror with gold bells and a few stems lay on the table. Added these gorgeous hand blown teardrop glass lighted decor and candlesticks to add a warm and cozy glow. Also, added a few pine cones and gold ornaments to my DIY air dry clay bowl. This year’s Christmas decor trends are all about blending elegance, nostalgia, and a sprinkle of personal charm. Whether you go all-out or keep it simple, the best part of holiday decorating is making your space feel like home. I hope you’re able to add some of my inspiration to your holiday decor this year or save for next. I would also love to see how you bring the magic to your home! Happy Holidays! ????✨

The post Holiday Home Tour 2024: Cozy Christmas Decor Ideas appeared first on Houzewize.

]]> Ah, the magic of Christmas! There’s nothing quite like transforming your home into a cozy, festive space filled with twinkling lights, nostalgic touches, and a sprinkle of elegance. Welcome to my Holiday Home Tour 2024.

So my dear friends, grab a cup of hot cocoa and let’s take a tour of our home’s and the ways we created our Christmas vibe for 2024.

Here’s our living room before we dressed up our house for the holidays…

Holiday house tour 2024

Decorating our home takes a few weeks and my house gets inundated with boxes of holiday decorations. It’s all process of the creating the holiday cheer in our home, and it’s well worth it.

I always say I’m going to start early every year. There are so many birthday celebrations in November. Plus, we commit to a fundraiser for JDRF and The Little North Pole. I feel like I’m scrambling to get things done for the holidays.

******************************************************************************************************

Speaking of JDRF and The Little North Pole is a holiday spectacular event that happens across the street from my house. Our friend Joe Mure, Jr, and along with 50-100 friends and neighbors decorate his house which is now know as The Little North Pole.

He has been putting up this display for decades to raise money for children with Juvenile Diabetes. Joe has given millions of dollars that he has raised over time to JDRF. Such an amazing cause.

They start November 1st. On the first Saturday of December, the street is closed off for the big event. Thousands of people from all over attend to celebrate in the event.

Trucks of food, DJ, a stage is set up for celebrities, rising singers and dancers. Such an amazing holiday event for our neighborhood.

After the entertainment performs, a helicopter comes swooping down and up show Santa is arriving.

Little North Pole

Finally the Santa is brought in by convoy of fire trucks. He sits on the stage and gives thousands of toys to children that are anxiously has been awaiting his arrival. It is truly a wonderful experience!

******************************************************************************************************

Onto my Holiday Home Tour 2024

Our mighty Christmas tree

Let’s’ begin our 2024 holiday home tour with our 11 foot Christmas tree. Every year we go to the tree farm in search of the perfect Christmas tree. We come home with the widest and the tallest tree we can squeeze into our living room.

Holiday Home Tour 2024

Once the tree is set in its place, starting from the top we weave the lights through the branches in and out to the bottom. The tree is filled with twinkling lights with a couple of elves helping me, (my other elf is a bit camera shy :). The tree looked beautiful with just lights.

Except, I am not the simple type of person when it comes to decorating for Christmas! I love a tree filled with beautiful ornaments, trinkets that can tell a story or ones handmade with love.

Holiday Home Tour 2024

Christmas wouldn’t be the same without a nod to cherished memories. It’s all about embracing family heirlooms, handmade decorations, and nostalgic touches that makes our home unique.

I love bows and they are having a moment this year, I couldn’t wait to incorporate it into my decor.

Holiday Home Tour 2024

This year, I chose modern sophistication mixed in with our usual nostalgic decor. Think ornate gold accents, shimmering glass ornaments, along with lush velvet ornaments draped on our tree. Last year, I created a woodland theme which I absolutely loved, but I went a little different this year.

Holiday Home Tour 2024

My friend had this keepsake ornament made to treasure our incredible trip to Italy in 2022.

I made these ornaments last year and love the way they turned out…

Holiday Home Tour 2024

 A touch of timeless elegance on the mantel

Holiday Home Tour 2024

One of my favorite places to decorate is our fireplace mantel. I started with hanging the garland an asymmetrical way on the fireplace.

Adding clusters of silvery, champagne colored ornaments in varying sizes on the garland gave it such an elegant appearance.

I’ve been wanting to try this clustered ornament look for a while. I really love the way it turned out.

I added extra oversize ornaments to the bottom of the garland for a bold statement.

Holiday Home Tour 2024

Sentimental Nostalgia

We have our little “memory tree” filled with little wooden ornaments saved from my husband’s childhood. I can’t believe these adorable ornaments are around 40 years old!

Miniature Christmas Villages

Create your own little village finished with glowing lights, snowy rooftops, and tiny figurines. We had our village for many years and have been adding to it whenever we can. But, I can’t fit anymore to it so I have to refrain from buying anymore.

There’s something so special about our little Christmas village. Little kiddos come to our house and get mesmerized. They play with the little figurines as if they were part of the village. Adults are also captivated by imagining the quaint village come to life.

Holiday House Tour 2024

Console table styling for Christmas

Our entry console table is dressed with the most beautiful faux pine stems. We arranged them in bunches to add volume. These bushels hang on the mirror with gold bells and a few stems lay on the table. Added these gorgeous hand blown teardrop glass lighted decor and candlesticks to add a warm and cozy glow.

Holiday Home Tour 2024

Also, added a few pine cones and gold ornaments to my DIY air dry clay bowl.

This year’s Christmas decor trends are all about blending elegance, nostalgia, and a sprinkle of personal charm. Whether you go all-out or keep it simple, the best part of holiday decorating is making your space feel like home.

I hope you’re able to add some of my inspiration to your holiday decor this year or save for next. I would also love to see how you bring the magic to your home!

Happy Holidays! ????✨

The post Holiday Home Tour 2024: Cozy Christmas Decor Ideas appeared first on Houzewize.

]]> 4385 Christmas Mantel 2024 https://houzewize.com/christmas-mantel-2024/ https://houzewize.com/christmas-mantel-2024/#comments Tue, 03 Dec 2024 19:16:37 +0000 https://houzewize.com/?p=4304 Looking for ways to decorate your mantel for the holidays? Here is my decorated Christmas Mantel 2024 with its understated glam look. This post may contain affiliate links, which means if you make a purchase via one of my links, I may make a small commission at no cost to you. How to Decorate Your Christmas Mantel with Garland and Ornaments in 2024 Hi friends, It’s that magical time of year again. The house starts to feel extra cozy, twinkling lights go up, and everything just feels a little bit more festive. Ah the magic of holiday season! Decorating for the holidays has to be my favorite! It’s the time when I can let my creativity run wild. Crafting ornaments is one fun activity. Setting a holiday tablescape brings joy to my family and guests. Adorning the staircase with garland adds a festive touch as soon as we enter our home. We also enjoy setting up our Christmas village and decorating the tree. These are just a few fun things that make the holidays festive. The aim was to get started a little earlier on our Christmas decorations. However, as always, time flies by so fast. Before I knew it, it’s December. I managed to finish decorating our Christmas Mantel for 2024. This happened amidst all the hustle and bustle of getting ready for Thanksgiving. When it comes to Christmas decorating, I start with the mantel. I love to capture the magic and charm of Christmas with a beautifully styled mantel. I find it to be the perfect canvas for creative expression and it makes such a focal point. How I Decorated My Christmas Mantel for 2024 This year, I decided to do something a little different with my mantel decor. Although, last year’s mantel was one of my favorites. I wanted to get that same happy feeling but more in a modern glam way. I created an asymmetrical design using lush garland and round ornaments. And oh my gosh, I am so happy with how it turned out! To start with, I always have an idea of how I am going to style the mantel. I wanted to create an asymmetrical look with garland and hang clusters of monochromatic round ornaments on it. So let me show you how I decorated my Christmas Mantel 2024. First, gather your supplies… Supply list- (link below) 1. Start with a Clean Slate Before I started the fun part of decorating, I clear the mantel of all the everyday items. I start with a clean slate. You want a clean space to work with so your holiday decor stands out. Now, you’re ready to get your festive groove on! 2. It’s all about that base It starts with a good base… I hung a thick, full garland like the ones from here to start. I wanted something that would feel fresh and full without being too heavy, and this garland checked all the boxes. Most common ways to secure the garland to the fireplace is to use command hooks. There is also heavy duty command hooks If your garland is too heavy. Unfortunately, I didn’t have any on hand when I was putting up the garland, so I put a few screws on top of the mantel instead. Attached the garland with garland ties to the screws, the ties blended seamlessly with the garland. You can hang the garland any way you like. I decided to create an asymmetrical look for this year’s mantel decor. I used two 6 ft garland on my mantel. First one, I draped across the mantel and fall to one side. I attached the second garland to the center of the first garland. Then, I extended it along to one side to create the asymmetrical look. I loved the idea of letting it cascade down the edge, creating a natural, organic flow. The key to asymmetry is that it’s heavier on one side. 3. Add faux stems I added faux stems matching the color of the garland to create extra fullness. It also gave the garland more texture and movement which helped it to give an organic flow. The stems can easily be attached with just twisting them around the garland using garland ties or floral wire. 4. Arranging the Round Ornaments Next up were the ornaments! I wanted them to be a central feature. For a modern look, I went with round ornaments in a mix of metallic. I used silver and champagne for that wintery look. I chose ornaments in varying sizes, which helped keep things interesting without overwhelming the design. For the placement, I started with large 6” round ornaments at the bottom of the garland. Then, gradually added a little smaller up and across, while adding a few large in between. I clustered the ornaments together in groups of 2-3. I didn’t worry about symmetry when placing the ornaments. Some were tucked right in. Others hung loosely down from the garland. By scattering the ornaments like this, I created an asymmetrical yet balanced effect that felt effortless. 5. Enjoying the View Once everything was in place, I stepped back and couldn’t help but smile. The asymmetrical design had just the right mix of playfulness and sophistication. The garland felt relaxed and natural, while the ornaments gave it that holiday sparkle and shine. The mantel just looked effortlessly beautiful. I think that it captures the spirit of the season’s festive, cozy, and a little bit whimsical feel. So, here’s to a merry, bright, and wonderfully asymmetrical Christmas mantel in 2024! ????✨ Thank you for stopping by!

The post Christmas Mantel 2024 appeared first on Houzewize.

]]> Looking for ways to decorate your mantel for the holidays? Here is my decorated Christmas Mantel 2024 with its understated glam look.

This post may contain affiliate links, which means if you make a purchase via one of my links, I may make a small commission at no cost to you.

How to Decorate Your Christmas Mantel with Garland and Ornaments in 2024

Christmas Mantel 2024

Hi friends, It’s that magical time of year again. The house starts to feel extra cozy, twinkling lights go up, and everything just feels a little bit more festive. Ah the magic of holiday season!

Decorating for the holidays has to be my favorite! It’s the time when I can let my creativity run wild. Crafting ornaments is one fun activity. Setting a holiday tablescape brings joy to my family and guests. Adorning the staircase with garland adds a festive touch as soon as we enter our home. We also enjoy setting up our Christmas village and decorating the tree. These are just a few fun things that make the holidays festive.

Staircase railing Decor
DIY Stained glass ornaments
DIY Stained Glass Christmas ornaments
Woodland Theme Mantelpiece
Woodland Theme Mantel Decor

The aim was to get started a little earlier on our Christmas decorations. However, as always, time flies by so fast. Before I knew it, it’s December. I managed to finish decorating our Christmas Mantel for 2024. This happened amidst all the hustle and bustle of getting ready for Thanksgiving.

When it comes to Christmas decorating, I start with the mantel. I love to capture the magic and charm of Christmas with a beautifully styled mantel. I find it to be the perfect canvas for creative expression and it makes such a focal point.

How I Decorated My Christmas Mantel for 2024

This year, I decided to do something a little different with my mantel decor. Although, last year’s mantel was one of my favorites. I wanted to get that same happy feeling but more in a modern glam way. I created an asymmetrical design using lush garland and round ornaments. And oh my gosh, I am so happy with how it turned out!

To start with, I always have an idea of how I am going to style the mantel. I wanted to create an asymmetrical look with garland and hang clusters of monochromatic round ornaments on it. So let me show you how I decorated my Christmas Mantel 2024.

First, gather your supplies…

1. Start with a Clean Slate

Before I started the fun part of decorating, I clear the mantel of all the everyday items. I start with a clean slate. You want a clean space to work with so your holiday decor stands out. Now, you’re ready to get your festive groove on!

2. It’s all about that base

It starts with a good base… I hung a thick, full garland like the ones from here to start. I wanted something that would feel fresh and full without being too heavy, and this garland checked all the boxes.

Most common ways to secure the garland to the fireplace is to use command hooks. There is also heavy duty command hooks If your garland is too heavy. Unfortunately, I didn’t have any on hand when I was putting up the garland, so I put a few screws on top of the mantel instead. Attached the garland with garland ties to the screws, the ties blended seamlessly with the garland.

You can hang the garland any way you like. I decided to create an asymmetrical look for this year’s mantel decor.

Christmas Mantel 2024

I used two 6 ft garland on my mantel. First one, I draped across the mantel and fall to one side. I attached the second garland to the center of the first garland. Then, I extended it along to one side to create the asymmetrical look. I loved the idea of letting it cascade down the edge, creating a natural, organic flow. The key to asymmetry is that it’s heavier on one side.

3. Add faux stems

I added faux stems matching the color of the garland to create extra fullness. It also gave the garland more texture and movement which helped it to give an organic flow. The stems can easily be attached with just twisting them around the garland using garland ties or floral wire.

Christmas Mantel 2024

4. Arranging the Round Ornaments

Next up were the ornaments! I wanted them to be a central feature. For a modern look, I went with round ornaments in a mix of metallic. I used silver and champagne for that wintery look. I chose ornaments in varying sizes, which helped keep things interesting without overwhelming the design.

For the placement, I started with large 6” round ornaments at the bottom of the garland. Then, gradually added a little smaller up and across, while adding a few large in between.

I clustered the ornaments together in groups of 2-3. I didn’t worry about symmetry when placing the ornaments. Some were tucked right in. Others hung loosely down from the garland. By scattering the ornaments like this, I created an asymmetrical yet balanced effect that felt effortless.

Christmas Mantel 2024

5. Enjoying the View

Once everything was in place, I stepped back and couldn’t help but smile. The asymmetrical design had just the right mix of playfulness and sophistication. The garland felt relaxed and natural, while the ornaments gave it that holiday sparkle and shine.

Christmas Mantel 2024

Christmas Mantel 2024

The mantel just looked effortlessly beautiful. I think that it captures the spirit of the season’s festive, cozy, and a little bit whimsical feel.

So, here’s to a merry, bright, and wonderfully asymmetrical Christmas mantel in 2024! ????✨

Thank you for stopping by!

The post Christmas Mantel 2024 appeared first on Houzewize.

]]> https://houzewize.com/christmas-mantel-2024/feed/ 4 4304 Best Christmas Mantel Decor yet https://houzewize.com/best-christmas-mantel-decor-yet/ https://houzewize.com/best-christmas-mantel-decor-yet/#comments Thu, 21 Nov 2024 15:16:19 +0000 https://houzewize.com/?p=3595 Cozy Christmas Vibes: My best Christmas Mantel Decor Yet This post may contain affiliate links, which means if you make a purchase via one of my links, I may make a small commission. Hey there, festive friends! It’s time to crank up the holiday tunes. Sip on some hot cocoa. And, of course, sprinkle a bit of Christmas magic around the house. Today, I’m excited to share my absolute favorite and best Christmas mantel decor yet! As much as I loved our last year’s Christmas mantel, I am obsessed with this year’s Christmas Mantel. It turned out amazing! I have joined a fabulous group of ladies from Amazing Creators “Merry & Bright” Christmas blog hop to give us wonderful Christmas inspirations! I hope you follow the links at the bottom of this page. Normally with home decor, I prefer a “less is more” approach. However, this changes when it comes to Christmas. More the merrier! Christmas time is when I can let loose and create. I wanted to give the mantel a nature inspired vibe this year. How I created my nature inspired Mantel We started out with attaching a steel hardware cloth to the mantel. It created the base for all the beautiful nature inspired goodies I wanted to add. First, I cut 1 ft. by 5ft long hardware cloth and secured it to the top of the mantel with screws and fold it over the mantel. This year I went wild with greenery. I love to combine whimsy and nature to my Christmas decor. I added a Pre-lit 9′ thick garland and doubled it along the steel cloth by attaching it with trim ties. These trim ties are great because they blend in with the greenery. I created an asymmetrical design with the garland to give it a different look. Then I added all the beautiful stems, pine cones, stray twigs from my real Christmas tree. After all the greenery was placed, I added few ornament. I found these paper pine cone ornaments at the Dollar Tree. Then added a little owl and beautiful bird perched on top of the mantel. I added the stained glass ornaments I made with Alcohol ink. Let’s face it, no Christmas setup is complete without a touch of sparkle, so I sprinkled a few small gold ornament and a few pearl sprigs to jazz it up. Lastly, I hooked our furry grey stocking right onto the mesh to complete the beautiful mantel. Here’s all the supplies you’ll need for the Christmas Mantel Decor: -Steel Hardware Cloth or heavy gauge chicken wire –9 ft. Christmas garland –Trim ties –Glass or shatterproof ornaments -Faux real to touch stems –Eucalyptus stems -Gold ornaments And there you have it – my favorite Christmas mantel decor to date! It’s the kind of cozy that makes you want to hibernate until spring. So, grab a cup of cocoa, put on your favorite Christmas music and let the holiday vibes take over. After all, ’tis the season to be jolly! You can see more of my past Christmas inspiration… Before you go, I hope you visit all the amazing creators below to see their inspirations! Merry and Bright Christmas Blog Hop At Home With Kristy Sweet Valley Acres From Farmhouse to Florida Cloches and Lavender Blue sky at Home My Home and Travels Tea and Forget Me Nots Design of your Life House of Mar Houzewize- This is me???? Elegant Flocked tree Garland wrapped bannister Decorating a flocked tree Easy DIY Christmas wreath Thank you for stopping by!

The post Best Christmas Mantel Decor yet appeared first on Houzewize.

]]> Cozy Christmas Vibes: My best Christmas Mantel Decor Yet

This post may contain affiliate links, which means if you make a purchase via one of my links, I may make a small commission.

Hey there, festive friends! It’s time to crank up the holiday tunes. Sip on some hot cocoa. And, of course, sprinkle a bit of Christmas magic around the house. Today, I’m excited to share my absolute favorite and best Christmas mantel decor yet!

As much as I loved our last year’s Christmas mantel, I am obsessed with this year’s Christmas Mantel. It turned out amazing!

I have joined a fabulous group of ladies from Amazing Creators “Merry & Bright” Christmas blog hop to give us wonderful Christmas inspirations! I hope you follow the links at the bottom of this page.

Best Christmas Mantel Decor yet

Normally with home decor, I prefer a “less is more” approach. However, this changes when it comes to Christmas. More the merrier!

Christmas time is when I can let loose and create. I wanted to give the mantel a nature inspired vibe this year.

How I created my nature inspired Mantel

We started out with attaching a steel hardware cloth to the mantel. It created the base for all the beautiful nature inspired goodies I wanted to add. First, I cut 1 ft. by 5ft long hardware cloth and secured it to the top of the mantel with screws and fold it over the mantel.

This year I went wild with greenery. I love to combine whimsy and nature to my Christmas decor. I added a Pre-lit 9′ thick garland and doubled it along the steel cloth by attaching it with trim ties. These trim ties are great because they blend in with the greenery. I created an asymmetrical design with the garland to give it a different look.

Best Christmas Decor mantel yet

Then I added all the beautiful stems, pine cones, stray twigs from my real Christmas tree.

Best Christmas Mantel decor yet

After all the greenery was placed, I added few ornament. I found these paper pine cone ornaments at the Dollar Tree. Then added a little owl and beautiful bird perched on top of the mantel. I added the stained glass ornaments I made with Alcohol ink.

Best Christmas Decor mantel yet

Let’s face it, no Christmas setup is complete without a touch of sparkle, so I sprinkled a few small gold ornament and a few pearl sprigs to jazz it up.

Lastly, I hooked our furry grey stocking right onto the mesh to complete the beautiful mantel.

Best Christmas decor mantel yet

Best Christmas decor mantel yet

Here’s all the supplies you’ll need for the Christmas Mantel Decor:

-Steel Hardware Cloth or heavy gauge chicken wire

–9 ft. Christmas garland

–Trim ties

–Glass or shatterproof ornaments

-Faux real to touch stems

–Eucalyptus stems

-Gold ornaments

And there you have it – my favorite Christmas mantel decor to date! It’s the kind of cozy that makes you want to hibernate until spring. So, grab a cup of cocoa, put on your favorite Christmas music and let the holiday vibes take over. After all, ’tis the season to be jolly!

You can see more of my past Christmas inspiration…

Before you go, I hope you visit all the amazing creators below to see their inspirations!

Merry and Bright Christmas Blog Hop

At Home With Kristy

Sweet Valley Acres

From Farmhouse to Florida

Cloches and Lavender

Blue sky at Home

My Home and Travels

Tea and Forget Me Nots

Design of your Life

House of Mar

Houzewize- This is me????

Elegant Flocked tree

Garland wrapped bannister

Decorating a flocked tree

Easy DIY Christmas wreath

Thank you for stopping by!

The post Best Christmas Mantel Decor yet appeared first on Houzewize.

]]> https://houzewize.com/best-christmas-mantel-decor-yet/feed/ 14 3595