Sherpa chairs might look inviting, but they're not built for real life.

This fluffy, curled fabric is usually white or cream and seems to attract dirt and stains. Plus, it's difficult to clean sherpa without ruining the fabric.

When looking for a chair or other soft item to add to my home, I'd rather go for a durable performance fabric that's just as cozy but way more practical.

Throw pillows are a simple way to refresh a space, but polyester-filled options tend to lose their shape and look lumpy after a short period of time.

Instead, I'm opting for down-alternative or memory-foam inserts that feel more luxurious and last longer.

Putting a blanket over a sofa might seem like a simple solution to hide wear and tear, but it rarely holds up in the long run.

Blankets slip around and can make the space look unfinished. A better option is to invest in a durable, stain-resistant sofa or slipcover.

Crown molding can look nice in traditional homes, but it often feels unnecessary in modern spaces.

Adding this molding to a room can cost a few hundred or thousand dollars, so I'd rather use that money to make a bigger statement with bold lighting or textured wall treatments.

Dark walls may be trendy, but they can make rooms feel smaller and show every scuff and smudge.

If I want a dramatic look, I'd rather choose bold furniture or accents instead of committing to dark, high-maintenance walls.

Faux plants might seem like an easy way to decorate a space, but they lack the life and texture that real greenery brings.

Instead, I'm sticking to low-maintenance live plants, like snake plants, or dried floral arrangements for a natural touch.

Beige couches have been a design staple for years, but they're more trouble than they're worth.

I find the light color shows stains far too easily and doesn't add enough character to a room. A sofa in a rich tone or textured fabric feels more modern and livable.

I love a good throw pillow, but too many can quickly overwhelm a space.

This year, I'm sticking to accenting couches or beds with just two or three high-quality pillows with varied textures and patterns to create a curated, uncluttered look.

Prepackaged gallery walls might seem like a quick fix, but they often feel too generic.

Instead, I'm encouraging people to build their own collections over time with art that feels personal and unique to their story.

Open shelving might look great in photos, but in real life, it's a nightmare to maintain.

Unless you style everything to perfection and clean constantly, the shelves end up looking cluttered and dusty. Closed cabinetry is a more functional and stylish storage solution for a kitchen.

The Crate & Barrel I visited didn't feel overly festive when I walked in, but I found its simplicity to be charming.

At first glance, its decor was minimal and chic. The entryway had a simple holiday display with greenery and lights. A few large shelves had white or clear trees, tiny houses, and reindeer on display — I didn't see a lot of color.

Once inside, the holiday decor felt spread out. I had to really look around to find displays that evoked the vibes of the season.

I felt West Elm's inviting holiday ambiance as soon as I stepped inside and saw three blinged-out trees with silver, red, and gold ornaments.

The store's entrance felt warm and welcoming with its soft lighting, sparkly accents, and holiday-themed decor.

Each display seemed to have thoughtful, festive touches that immediately set a cozy tone for my shopping experience.

As I walked around Crate & Barrel, I found minimal, elegant holiday tablescapes.

Most had neutral accents and featured white napkins, neutral table runners, and simple glassware. The vibe seemed perfect for those who love a streamlined look and pieces that can easily stay on the table past December.

West Elm's tablescapes seemed to prioritize richer, warmer tones.

Festive napkins, gold accents, and vibrant centerpieces made the displays feel ready for a festive gathering.

The tablescapes had a coziness to them, and I could picture the setups in a real home. One had mauve-colored trees and sparkly placemats that felt like they could easily transition from Christmas to New Year's Eve.

Crate & Barrel had a selection of cozy, holiday-themed blankets and pillows sprinkled throughout the whole floor.

I liked that every sofa I passed had some type of subtle holiday-themed accent, like beige pillows with simple-yet-elegant reindeer silhouettes.

Many of the accessories here felt like they'd be a nice way to add holiday cheer to a home without the loud vibrancy of red and green you typically see this time of year.

Because the pillows and throws were mostly neutral, they felt like they could be on your couch past Christmastime without feeling dated.

In my opinion, the throw pillows at West Elm were quite the opposite of the ones at Crate & Barrel.

Although the store did have some more neutral pillows with subtle designs, it mostly seemed to embrace the popular red and greens of the season.

I especially loved one rectangular green pillow covered in abstract-looking images of Santa Claus — so cute and festive.

The stockings at West Elm were some of my favorite finds. Many featured clean lines and traditional motifs that would complement a modern home, and a few had pops of color.

A lot of the designs felt like a fresh twist on a traditional holiday stocking.

On the other hand, the only stocking I found at Crate & Barrel was a small, decorative one meant for a tablescape — not one fit for a mantel.

In both stores, I found a great selection of holiday ornaments, including glass Santas, photo-frame designs, and other classic holiday motifs.

Although both chains' ornaments seemed to lean more traditional, I found a few fun designs at West Elm.

The store's squirrel-shaped glass ornaments, in particular, were a huge highlight of our shopping trip. My fiancé ended up buying a few for his family tree.

Although both stores offered beautiful decor, I felt West Elm had a wider variety of holiday pieces with a cozy, classic appeal. Walking through the store made me feel like I was in a Hallmark Christmas movie.

Crate & Barrel excelled in modern and elegant holiday decor but ultimately felt less festive to me than West Elm.

If you're looking to create a warm, inviting holiday atmosphere, West Elm is the store to visit this season. If your holiday style is more understated and neutral, you may prefer Crate & Barrel.