Decorating your home for the holidays doesn't have to be a complicated and expensive task. There are literally thousands of quick and easy holiday decorating ideas right at your fingertips—you simply need to take some time to explore the possibilities.

When it comes to creating that cozy holiday feeling, Toronto storeowner Lucy Kokalov says that adding warmth to your home is the best way to start. Lucy, who owns the home decor boutique Boj Decor, suggests purchasing a few small Persian area rugs and randomly placing them around your home for warmth. “Covering the floors is the first thing that will make the place warmer,” she says.

To further achieve a sense of calm and comfort, Lucy suggests adding curtains over blinds, trading in your current lampshades for ones with darker, richer colours and adding a textured mink mohair or cashmere throw to a side chair or sofa.

By purchasing a few small colourful pillows, a sitting room can instantly become warm and inviting for the holidays. Tara Dalla-Nora, designer and manager of Toronto's Inner Luxe advises that a few casually placed breakfast pillows in vibrant reds, greens and metallics instantly give that festive feel.

And of course, don't forget about the warmth that candles immediately bring to any room. Beautiful burning candles in vanilla, wild berry, chestnut, pumpkin and cinnamon scents are a perfect holiday aromas.

“You can even try covering your fireplace mantle with different heights of candles,” adds Lucy.

When it comes to decorative accents for a holiday party, dinner or buffet, both Lucy and Tara have a number of simple, yet tasteful tabletop ideas.

Image courtesy of Pottery Barn

“We usually tell people to accent with chargers -- decorative plates placed underneath dinner plates,” says Tara, adding that the inexpensive dishes are also usable year-round. She emphasizes that using a clear glass platinum-banded charger or a translucent red plate to accent your holiday table setting adds another lovely touch.

Lucy also advocates using beautiful tableware, particularly silver and gold accented glassware. Her suggestion for holiday decorators? Bring out your beautiful glasses and cups and set them up on a lovely tray to be placed on a coffee or dining room table.

When it comes to centerpieces, Tara recommends purchasing a lovely cake platter or if you have one already, hauling it out of storage. Top it with a large pillar candle and add a few apples. A few inexpensive floating candles also coupled with a larger pillar candle placed on a long ceramic or glass platter makes for a lovely centerpiece.

Or gather a few pinecones from your yard, buy some pomegranates and assemble them in a rich wood or ceramic bowl. Lucy also suggests mixing a few cut branches with some dried flowers from your local flower shop for a rustic centerpiece. Or, simply fill a large, clear glass vase with your favourite Christmas ornaments and place it on your dining room table.

Whatever your taste, decorating your home for the holidays is filled with possibilities. The ideas are endless, often inexpensive and always beautiful.

Image courtesy of Pottery Barn