A friendly guide to styling your shutters for the season while keeping them safe
Holiday decorating should feel joyful. Your home gets a little cozier, the lights feel brighter, and every corner picks up a bit of seasonal magic. If you have high-quality, whole wood shutters, especially the kind we install throughout California and Nevada, they can become a beautiful backdrop for your holiday style. The trick is choosing décor that brings cheer without harming the finish or interfering with how the shutters work.
Here is a simple, human, practical guide based on years of seeing what works and what does not.
Real basswood shutters are built to last for decades. They also respond to moisture, adhesives, and weight, so choose decorations that are gentle and easy to remove. Look for items that are:
Skip strong tape, screws, nails, or anything you need to fasten directly into the wood. Your shutters have carefully milled joints and louvers. Even minor surface damage will show over time.
A wide satin, velvet, or linen ribbon draped across the top of the shutter frame adds color without pressure or weight. Rich green, deep cranberry, soft gold, and winter white are all easy and elegant choices.
Faux pine, eucalyptus, or frosted winter greens can rest gently along the top of the frame or hang from a curtain rod above the shutters. This keeps all stress off the louvers and preserves full functionality.
Felt stars, wooden charms, tiny bells, or dried oranges can hang on ribbons that loop around the frame. They add charm without touching the slats. These options let your shutters open and close normally, which is important for both light and ventilation.
Shutters are architectural. They look best when their shape and clean lines stay visible. Focus your décor around:
A garland placed above the shutters looks better than one taped across the front. Candles or lanterns on a sill add warmth without creating clutter. A winter floral arrangement placed nearby can bring texture and color into the room while keeping the shutters open and airy.
Battery-powered micro LED strands are ideal for shutter styling. They produce almost no heat and weigh nearly nothing. Use them by:
Avoid older or heavier light strands that tug on louvers or frames.
Your shutter finish can guide the rest of your holiday palette.
Perfect for Scandinavian winter decor, minimal gold or silver, snowy whites, and natural greenery.
Rich jewel tones, lush greenery, warm lighting, and classic red and gold all pair beautifully.
Ideal for coastal tones like sage, pale blue, or ivory, along with woven textures and rustic details.
No matter the finish, the rule is simple. Let the shutters remain the architectural foundation. The holiday decor should feel like a soft complement, not camouflage.
These issues come up often during service calls, especially after the holidays.
Treat your shutters like fine furniture. They reward gentle care with decades of beauty.
Some of the most charming setups do not involve attaching anything to the shutters at all. Try:
This approach keeps the focus on the clean lines of your shutters while still creating a cozy holiday atmosphere.
Decorating your shutters for the holidays should be simple and enjoyable. The goal is to highlight the beauty of your home while protecting your investment. Real basswood shutters finished with durable acrylic urethane are designed to stand up to everyday life, but seasonal decor still deserves care. Light touches, soft materials, and frame-focused styling will protect the finish and keep your shutters looking their best.