Designers show how to get most out of new and old decorations

Holiday decorations create a warm glow and cheer us up, so they might be even more important at times like this when the economy is stressful.

Buying a few new things and reusing items creatively is probably more fun than purchasing a whole house full of new decorations anyway.

Here are ideas and tips from area designers to get your ideas flowing.

Indoor/Outdoor

Coordinating decorations throughout your home is not a new idea, but Debbie Passi likes her dining room decor to be part of the lighting experience for passers-by, too.

"One of my favorite things to do is to include my interior decorations in my exterior lighting plan! Every night I open my shades and turn the lights on," she said. "The idea is to reveal just a glimpse of what is inside to stimulate curiosity."

Secret pleasure: "I have actually had compliments on the inside of my house from people who have never been inside."

Gift wrap

If you shop and wrap gifts early, they can be an important part of your decor.

Try coordinating the wrap with your home's color scheme, suggested Susan Pantaleo of Concepts in Design, Inc. in Fox River Grove.

And here's a great tip: You'll want complementary patterns, of course, and the patterns can be a part of a secret code to make packing for holiday travels easier.

For example: Solid packages stay under the tree, plaids go to Grandma's house, and all the prints are for the in-laws.

Color

You'll want to use your favorite holiday colors, of course, but Pantaleo says a colorful house will benefit from white, silver or gold decor, while a neutral one can use more colors.

Hot colors: This year trendsetters will combine peacock blue with silver, green and perhaps a touch of fuchsia, she said.

Theme

Who can resist a Camelot Christmas?

For this royal look try burgundy and gold, said Kathleen Newhouse of Park Place Interiors in Geneva and Elmhurst.

One of the favorites at the shops is mixing metallics - golds, silvers and bronzes for a rich, formal look.

Don't forget: Remember that old designer adage that every room needs black. Black velvet really sets off the sparkle of this look, said Newhouse.

Mantel

Everyone lucky enough to have a mantel wants to dress it for the holidays.

Pantaleo keeps hers simple with ornaments nestling into fresh greenery and candles nearby.

Secret: If your tree is reusable, real greens on the mantel can add authenticity to the room.

The tree

You want your tree to top out 6 inches below your ceiling.

Tip: If you have a bell angel or star to go up there you'll want to leave room for it, says Linda Navara of LMR Designs in Arlington Heights.

Garland

Don't count on using your reusable garland more than 10 years, said Marta Cullen of Dream Interiors in Downers Grove.

Replace your greenery when it starts looking a little worn, then spray the old ones with shellac and use them outdoors.

New garlands: There's a lot of variety available today, and Cullen suggests mixing them.

For example, gold-tipped long-needle pine can grace a staircase while an ice-tipped garland winds through a nearby chandelier.

Layering

Many decorating schemes involve layering, and it's an easy concept to grasp with holiday finery.

Passi's seven layers: Garland, lights, ribbon, gold webbing, cording, ornaments of various sizes and bows.

Sentimental

A sparkly picture frame is great, says Navara.

Tip: Put a black and white picture of a loved one or a favorite Christmas past to add a touch of sentiment to the event.