One of the wonderful perks of being an interior stylist for magazines is being welcomed into people’s beautiful homes at Christmas time. It really is a highlight in the calendar being able to transform homes into magical wonderlands or to simply style up festive scenes and decorating ideas in the photo studio.
Over the years I’ve styled all manner of properties, from small country cottages to large manor houses, and throughout that time I've seen a number of Christmas decorating ideas come and go, however, there are certain looks that I find endure year after year.
Below I've rounded up my favorite looks for styling timeless Christmas schemes from traditional berry tones and festive foliage to rustic Scandi looks along with some handy decorating tips.
5 timeless Christmas decor styles
When it comes to creating timeless Christmas decor you can't go wrong with seasonal evergreen foliage. Garlands, wreaths and centerpieces made from fresh fir, pine, holly and ivy are guaranteed to bring a festive yet sophisticated feel. Evergreen seasonal foliage forms the foundation of many festive schemes and can be styled up with extra decorations in order to capture myriad looks – it's definitely my go to.
For me, the key to decorating is to complement your existing decor and not to overpower it. Decorations in subtle champagne, gold and antique brass hues are wonderfully versatile as they will bring seasonal sparkle without taking away from your room scheme and work beautifully paired with all manner of colors. Additionally, you can't go wrong with handcrafted decorations for a touch of fun and unique charm
'The key to any Christmas decor scheme is consistency, pick a theme and stick to it throughout your space. Layer textures, experiment with lighting, and incorporate natural materials to make your decor feel elevated yet welcoming,' says Sophia Ayrton-Grime, Interior Designer and Founder of Atelier Raff. 'Most importantly, remember that Christmas is about creating a warm, joyful environment for those you love.'
1. Traditional berry reds with green
When styling a lived-in home I always try to stay true to the homeowner’s ethos, bringing in a few carefully chosen pieces inspired by the aesthetic and palette used throughout the room I’m styling. In period homes, a traditional scheme of berry red and gold is a seasonal styling staple.
A classic palette of red and green featuring swathes of fresh foliage with hints of gold is the classic combination for capturing the nostalgia of Christmases past. I like to incorporate a variety of seasonal foliage as well as potted bulbs and amaryllis in red and berry tones.
However, what I often find is that tonal variations on this classic theme can be far more enduring. Rather than pairing bright red and with forest green and bright yellowish, dazzling golds, I tend to go a bit more subtle and pair pinky plums and berry reds with muted gold or antique brass. These tones tend to feel less gaudy and have a mellowness that works beautifully with the aged surfaces and patinas of wood and stone. Alternatively adding in touches of navy works well, too.
In this traditional cottage, I opted for a scheme of berry red and green but dotted in pops of blue and brown paper for a twist on the traditional look.
Homeware and furniture designer Susie Watson offers an array of homewares which I often turn to when it comes to styling period homes for the festive season. 'I am hugely inspired by the colors in nature, rich reds, burnt oranges, and deep greens make the most delicious combination - for me deep reds, plum, dark greens, and gold are the colors that mean Christmas,’ says designer Susie.
‘It’s not just about decorations at Christmas, it’s about making your home feel warm and cozy, too. I love to add plenty of cushions in rich tones and in a mix of fabrics to create a welcoming, layered look. Fringed velvet and silk cushions alongside muted rustic linens and plaid wool throws in rich jewel tones work wonderfully for a timeless scheme. Sumptuous velvets and silk catch the light beautifully. And of course, no Christmas scheme is complete without candlelight and a real Christmas tree.’
A berry-toned, block-printed tablecloth is a wonderful way to set the tone for a festive table. The small-scale decorative pattern brings a comforting and eclectic feel which I love – I find plain red tablecloths can sometimes feel too bold.
'Berry and plum tones are just as Christmassy, particularly when paired with copper and gold or silver decorations, and lots of candlelight,' says Sarah Kostoris, founder of home brand Sarah K. 'You could use red grapes, and figs and lots of green foliage to decorate the table for a classic feel.'
New York City-based Interior designer Phillip Thomas is a big fan of the traditional red and green scheme, pairing it with pops of tartan and traditional blue and white tableware.
'I love to decorate our home with our favorite, timeless holiday decor each Christmas. We deck the halls with fresh Cypress Norfolk Pine, Cedar, and White Pine garland strewn on every surface or in vases mixed with holly and pine cones, twinkling lights that catch all of the sparkling ornaments just right, a swish of a classic tartan plaid tablecloth from Ralph Lauren or Williams Sonoma layered with our favorite Spode 'Blue Italian' plates that we have used for years for our holiday meals,' says Phillip.
2. Scandi Woodland
Nordic and Scandinavian countries do Christmas decor so well. There’s something magical about a timber-clad home in the snowy woodland decorated with rustic natural materials and folksy decorations like gingerbreads and dried oranges with brown paper packages nestled under the tree.
The great thing about this look is it relies heavily on natural materials, making it wonderfully sustainable. Think foraged foliage, white decorations, pinecones, cinnamon sticks, folding paper stars and pinwheel decorations in a pared-back palette of green and white with hints of red or orange - or even pale blue for an icy Scandinavian Christmas decor scheme. But again, the look isn’t just about decorations – plenty of cozy textures such as chunky woven throws and sheepskins are key, not forgetting plenty of candles.
'To style a Scandi theme this Christmas, forgo traditional festive pairings of red and gold and instead combine a pared-back color palette with soft sage green tones, natural wood finishes and fresh festive foliage,' advises Shelley Cochrane, accessories buyer at Furniture Village.
'Carry this theme throughout the home. In the living room, decorate a Christmas tree with rustic decorations crafted from wood or paper and drape foliage, mistletoe, and pinecones across the mantelpiece. This will create a magical woodland feel that nods to the season but is chic and elegant.'
'The dining table is center stage of Christmas celebrations so style an all-white tablescape with just a hint of greenery for a look that exudes festivity,' adds Shelly. 'I also like to incorporate a wooden branch suspended from the ceiling and styled with a cluster of Christmas decorations to elevate this space. Focusing your decoration overhead also means more room for tableware and glassware – perfect for busy festive gatherings.'
White Christmas decorations are always a timeless choice because they are so versatile. They work wonderfully with a Scandi scheme, but can also be used in more elegant schemes when paired with metallics and sparkle.
'While we also adore a traditional color palette, I think customers are drawn to the simple elegance of white at Christmas. A Christmas tree dressed with white ceramic decorations is strikingly impactful, and they can easily be incorporated into other color schemes. This year, we have some wonderful white ceramic Christmas trees that are ideal for dressing a mantelpiece or clustering together along the center of the dining table,' says Suzy Humphreys, founder of Layered Lounge.
3. Natural foliage
There’s no need to go all out with lavish displays during the holiday season, fresh foraged foliage and candlelight is all you need to create a magical atmosphere. If I’m looking to style up a timeless and elegant Christmas scheme then, fresh foliage is always my go-to. Creating wreaths, garlands and hanging centerpieces with greenery foraged from the countryside works with every style of property.
To make this look extra special use a variety of greenery with different leaf shapes and forms. Holly, fir and ivy are seasonal staples, but all sorts of evergreen foliage can add interest to fresh displays. I love the bluey-tinge of eucalyptus along with certain varieties of conifer as well as bay, skimmia and even Clematis Vitalba with its fluffy seedheads, (also known as Old Man's Beard). Sculptural varieties of pine such as Strobus Pine work well and I always look for varieties with variegated leaves of holly and ivy for extra color and texture.
This elegant scheme demonstrates just how effective layering different greenery can be in creating a magical Christmas dining room. Here a suspended table centerpiece of fir and an urn filled with sculptural pine sets the tone for a whimsical dining scheme along with pared-back glass baubles, while green tableware, accessories and decorations bring the scheme to life.
'For this table, we embraced rich and verdant tones of green, layering natural textures of plants and trees with our elegant Epoch tableware collection to evoke the tranquility of a forest setting,' say the team at HestiaLiving Everyday. 'It is a fresh and timeless approach to holiday gatherings, bringing the outdoors in, and celebrating the effortless charm of a natural Christmas.'
For interior designer Lauren Gilberthorpe, natural foliage is her decor of choice. 'To me, decorating for Christmas feels most special when embracing natural elements and including thoughtful touches,' she says.
'Ever since I was small, we would decorate an oversized fresh wreath to adorn the front door. It’s a tradition I now share with my own children. Natural foliage, dried oranges, and fragrant star anise create a welcoming, festive atmosphere. Another favorite is decorating a staircase with garlands to add just the right amount of opulence.'
If you don't have time to make a fresh garland or a table centerpiece then just a few sprigs tied together or attached to metal wreaths can make bring a lovely festive touch. Here I added a few sprays to bring a festive feel to this Georgian kitchen.
'The kitchen is a great place to mix in some festive decor. To get started add green pops of color, small festive trees, or switch out to your seasonal dish towels. It’s the little touches that get you into the holiday spirit and make your space feel extra special,' says designer Kate Marker.
4. Festive Champagne sparkle
Being a time for joy and celebration Christmas is a wonderful opportunity to introduce a bit of glamour and sparkle to interiors and it's a look that will never date.
For those homeowners that love the luxurious and glamorous look, glittering and reflective decorations are always a favorite. The beauty of opting for a metallic theme is it can work with multiple interior palettes, from jewel tones to soft pastels. When it comes to baubles for the tree glass, beaded, or metallic are a go too for catching the light and creating a magical atmosphere.
Personally, I like to choose soft champagne and antique gold shades along with tarnished mercury glass as these have a warm and timeless quality and add subtle sparkle without overpowering. In this London townhouse, I styled the dining room with soft champagne tones and sparkly details alongside blush and plum hues to complement the antiques and vintage decor.
A sparkly scheme works particularly well in a dining room, where it can then effortlessly transition to New Year's parties. 'Christmas is the perfect time of year to make the table look extra special and to add just a little more sparkle,' says Mark Winstanley, creative director at the White Company. 'Beaded placemats and coasters look fantastic and add a magical glow as do mirrored scapers and lots of layers of candles both tall and small. A range of candle holders and tealight holders always looks beautiful, I love to mix clear glass and mercury.'
The sparkly, champagne theme doesn't just work in the dining room, it looks lovely on the tree and over gift-wrapping, too.
'Our champagne-colored stem decorations have an all-over glitter finish, giving a lovely shimmer when they catch the light and can be a perfect present topper,' says Chrissie Rucker, founder of the White Company. 'Our best-selling jute ribbon has been updated with a little sparkle added for extra seasonal shine... a metallic paper in a Christmas green or subtle stripe will look even more stunning when arranged under the tree.'
5. Handcrafted Christmas decor
For Christmas decor with character and charm, but which is also sustainable, you can’t beat handcrafted decorations. Not only do DIY decorations bring a personal and unique touch, making them is also a wonderful festive activity to do with friends and family. Whether it’s making paperchains, hand-printing gift wrap, painting baubles, or crafting a Christmas table centerpiece, making decorations is a lovely way to slow down and embrace moments of calm during what can be a very chaotic time.
'I enjoy creating handmade decorations, such as paper stars, paper chains, or floral garlands that I can make with the children, which we then hang over the table creating a jubilant display. Carnation garlands in hot pinks and reds work fantastically, are so easy to create, and bring me welcome memories of my beloved India,' says keen Christmas crafter and fabric designer Molly Mahon.
'When it comes to gifting, I believe in making it personal, I love to wrap gifts with lots of creative touches and there is nothing more heartfelt than a piece of hand-printed wrap, a jaunty homemade decoration or even a simple, printed card. For me it’s about fun, creativity, and feeling festive surrounded by the people I love – I can’t wait!'
Even if you don't have time to get creative, there are some simple styling ideas which can bring a lovely homespun feel such as simply adding velvet ribbons to candlesticks or trees.
'The tree is often the centerpiece of your festive decoration, and I love how a simple ribbon bow used on the tree can be mirrored on gifts, table settings, and even used to adorn candlesticks or wall sconces. This repetition ensures a consistent, thoughtful design that brings the whole room together in harmony,’ says Lucy Uren, founder of Rowen & Wren.
Creative handmade crackers make lovely thoughtful table gifts for friends and family on the big day. Place a gift inside a cardboard tube, wrap it with a piece of patterned fabric, and tie it at each end with a ribbon to match your table decor.
'Handmade fabric crackers are another lovely detail – sustainable, reusable, and full of charm,' says Lauren Gilberthorpe. 'When it comes to decorating, less is always more. Subtle, meaningful details evoke the season beautifully without ever feeling overdone.'
If you are after classic, timeless holidays looks, these are the ones I see time and time again when I am styling homes and working on shoots. The looks slightly change or the 'it' decoration comes and goes but these 5 styles are always on trend in some form or another.
