We’re ho-ho-hoping you’re ready for a little holiday cheer — or just cheer period, really. Now that the time of year for finding a bit of extra cheer is here, we thought it was also a good time to check in with the experts about what’s trending in the world of holiday decor and interior design.
Staying Off The Decor Naughty List
Sadly, some decor trends have made the “naughty” list this year. Case in point, Better Homes & Gardens (BHG) has a theme on their “naughty” list — actually, themes. Hudson Holiday Decor’s lead designer, Patricia Derpinski, tells BHG, “Move away from overly-themed decor like ‘Santa’s Workshop.’ Opt for a refined theme, such as ‘Winter Whites’ or ‘Gilded Glamour’ for a timeless look. Similarly, excessive plaid can feel too rustic, so consider tweed or herringbone accents instead.”
Southern Living (SL) builds on the no-theme theme talking with St. Louis decorator, Amy Studebaker, “I like when the collective of a space tells a story of tradition with fresh and found elements. You’ll rarely find my home ‘matchy-matchy’ during the holidays. While I enjoy carrying a common theme throughout, I still appreciate an imperfect, effortless collection of pieces that bring me joy during the holidays.”
Trudy Stump, of Atlanta’s Huff Harrington Design, tells SL she sees a call to personalize your home’s vibe, “The holiday season is the perfect time of year to add personality to your home, and we recommend decorating in a way that fits the style of your interiors.” Amen.
Deck The Halls With Color
Colors are bold and playful this holiday. Like the decidedly playful twist on colors Azie Jazestani, design expert and founder of The Sweet Table Shop, shared with Real Simple. Think Candy Land — like the board game. Jazestani says, “Candy Land-themed decor is everywhere—from ornaments to decorative pillows and festive accents. It’s all about pastel hues, glitter, and sparkle…Think soft pinks, frosty blues, and shimmering touches that create a playful, magical atmosphere.” Fun, right?
Fear not, traditionalists. Warm colors are still as timeless as ever — just a bit deeper. Jazestani continues, “…rich cocoa hues, deep wine tones, and jewel-like colors are adding a cozy, inviting vibe…there’s a noticeable shift away from the usual holiday palette. Instead, we’re seeing more earthy, woodsy tones—an ode to the outdoors—that feel warm and natural.”
Rocabu Designs, as ever adding personality and coziness, suggests, “While red and green are classic, 2024 brings a shift toward moody, rich colors like deep emerald, midnight blue, and charcoal grey. These tones add sophistication and a contemporary feel to your holiday decor. Accents in gold or bronze add a warm, festive glow to balance the darker hues.” Sold.
Deck The Halls With Cozy
One of the wonderful things about the trend towards warm, rich colors is how hand-in-glove they are with another wonderfully timeless trend this year and (please let it be) every year. In a word, coziness.
Dallas-based Christmas decorating company, Baker Design Group, celebrates how the trend intersects with the earthy neutral colors so integral to interior design this year, “…Christmas 2024 is embracing a palette of warm neutrals. Shades of cream, taupe, and soft gray are setting the stage for a serene and cozy holiday. Layering different textures is key—think chunky knit throws, faux fur accents, and plush velvet cushions.”
Style at Home’s Sara Romano suggests…uh…getting hygge with it (couldn’t resist), taking a cue from Scandanavia to really bring the comfort, “…your mind might automatically go to the idea of hygge. This concept is all about creating coziness and evoking the feeling of comfort. A Christmas decor trend we’re loving this year is rooted in bringing that Nordic warmth to your space.” Cuddling up now.
Deck the halls with Nostalgia
If all this talk of warmth and coziness has you suddenly feeling nostalgic, you’re not alone. Leaning into a sense of nostalgia in your holiday decor is another theme we’re seeing this year.
Josh Young, of Josh Young Design House, shares a path to a soulful nostalgia in your home with VERANDA magazine, “…we’re getting back into making the holidays more personal and incorporating pieces that mean something to us or have been handed down to us and less about creating a ‘theme’ each year…being more playful with holiday decor and mixing old with new.”
Country Living magazine is feeling those vintage, heirloom vibes, too, sharing designer Emily Henderson’s thoughts, “I like to think of a Christmas tree as a scrapbook and each year we choose a few new ornaments that describe that year.” Christine Carney, Director of Design for Blackberry Farm Design, told Country Living she adds small framed photos of guests, “Some of the people on the tree have been returning guests for many years, and it is so special to include them in our holiday decorations.” Here’s to auld lang syne.
Deck The Halls With Greenery
Sustainability is hardwired into virtually every emerging design trend these days. Holiday decor is perfect for easy and festive wins in the sustainability department. Because…greenery!
In House Beautiful, Becky Shea, founder of Becky Shea Design, shares, “I love decorating with balsam fir and fresh evergreen—the scent is incredible and brings such warmth into the home. There’s something so meaningful about using these natural materials; it feels intricately considered and creates a cozy, inviting atmosphere that celebrates the season’s beauty.”
Designer Barrie Benson agrees, telling VERANDA, “I’ve been loving incorporating oranges, apples, and pomegranates into our holiday decor. The colors of the fruit look so pretty with the Christmas greenery. It adds a brightness that feels perfect for the holidays.”
And Baker Design Group has some less literally green holiday decor tips, “Eco-friendly decorations, upcycled materials, and locally sourced ornaments are making a strong statement…Opting for LED lights and organic fabrics for garlands and stockings will not only reduce your carbon footprint but also add a unique, elegant touch to your holiday décor.” Also, mistletoe. *wink*
A Few Parting (Design Tip) Stocking Stuffers
Let’s tie these tips up with a bow. Because as Elle Decor (ED) says — and pretty much all the experts agree, “bows are clearly having a moment.” Anthropology’s Katherine Finder adds, “Ribbons and bows are the Christmas accessory of the year, and we’re totally here for it.” And A-List designer Nathan Turner tells ED, “I like seeing Christmas in old films and how much more simply they decorated, like tons of ribbons on Christmas trees and bows on wreaths and ribbons tied to candlesticks…simple but charming.”
One final tip that’s sure to warm the heart of any true holiday decor enthusiast. You should feel free to go as big and maximalist as your heart desires. So says Oho Interiors founder Melissa Oholendt, telling The Spruce, “Grandma’s Santa Cookie plates? Yes, please! Vintage glass ornaments on the tree? Perfect. A stair banister drapery in layers and layers of lush greenery with ribbons tied into bows? Into it.” Excellent.
We hope our curated tour of our favorite tips this season has you inspired. As ever, we’re here to be Santa’s helpers for all your fabric needs this season and all year round. And it’s such a gift to help you.