Xmas Design Ideas – Each item on this page was selected by an ELLE Decor editor. We may earn a commission on certain products you choose to purchase.
No matter how beautiful your minimalist backgrounds and neutral tones are, the holidays present an opportunity to eschew your usual repertoire in favor of a maximalist mindset. Sure, you can have your tried-and-true holiday decorations—the decorated tree, ornate staircases, and covered porch decorations—but why not take your holiday decorating routine a little more radical this year? Get the luxurious faux fur throws, the unexpectedly large wooden spike and the sparkling crystal candlesticks that you shouldn’t miss. More is finally more. Luckily, there’s no shortage of ideas for the cheerful vacation home (or corner, we see you, little roomies) of your dreams.
Xmas Design Ideas
“Bigger is better, and more is more,” says designer Daniel Balanis. “That’s my motto when it comes to holiday decorating and traditions in my home and my clients.” She adds giant magnolia wreaths, glitter-drenched trees and ornaments that spare no branches, with tablescapes that are living works of art, she adds. “I like that all the senses are awakened: what you see, what you touch, what you smell and what you taste.”
16 Quick Holiday Decorating Ideas
Designer Alexis Vitale Alexis Vitale agrees. How is it for him? “When you bring your tree home, we say, get the tallest tree your room can support,” Vitale says. “The added lighting also really makes the tree shine brightly at night, dripping in your favorite ornaments and adding different ribbons of different textures and sizes.” Don’t be afraid to add big, dramatic flowers, ribbons, branches, fresh cedar and pine.
“The key to holiday style is not to neglect the details. If there’s ever a time for pendants, it’s the season,” says designer Shea McGee of Studio McGee. In addition to hanging flowing greenery everywhere, “In my home, I like to add small wreaths on the shelves where my once-a-year plates are displayed, and holiday pillows join the others on my girls’ beds.”
To get your creative juices flowing, check out our favorite designer-approved Christmas decorating ideas from McGee and dozens of other design experts. From moody and antique to cheerful and retro to colorful alternatives to classic Christmas items, we’re sure you’ll find some sparks of inspiration to make your mood happy, bright and oh-so-chic.
All year round, the luxurious living room in this Westport home is a relaxing, neutral space with white furniture and wicker accents. But in December, her personality is turned up a few notches with two inflatable wreaths and a mini artificial tree (from Serena and Lily). Proof that your holiday decor doesn’t have to follow anyone else’s script but your own.
45 Festive And Cozy Christmas Living Room Decor Ideas
Macy’s called and they are asking for window display inspo. Talk to Keith Marker, who attached brass bells to this large open window to add dimension and class to the spades. It’s total eye candy without the 10-degree freezing of 34th Street.
Problem! Designer Caitlin Wilson, the queen of all things pretty, cleverly transformed her living room console table into her very own mantelpiece, complete with a wreath and coordinating stocking. Festive ribbons and vases add extra cheer.
When your wallpaper and curtain fabric are worthy of this statement, be sure to save some for gift wrapping. Serena & Lily did just that with their latest Christmas range of matching posters and gifts. A wonderful window wreath and wooden decoration tie it all together.
Why do wreaths only have to be for walls? Interior designer Bradley Odom will also hang them in unexpected places, including the backs of his dining room chairs. “It’s another place to add lush greenery, and it’s the perfect place to hang name cards when hosting a dinner party,” she tells us.
50+ Cozy And Creative Small Apartment Christmas Decor Ideas
Not every room needs your standard Tannenbaum to feel festive. In this living room filled with items from Serena & Lily’s latest Christmas collection, a basic evergreen wreath is cleverly placed on a light fixture. Hallelujah. a look that refreshes the holiday decorating runway.
If your kitchen relies on rustic materials and vintage appliances, a few understated touches can add some festive cheer without detracting from the room’s existing old-world charm. In this soulful culinary space, Illinois-based designer Kate Marker brought evergreen wreaths and porcelain Christmas trees that make a difference.
We’ll never get over the overall fabulousness of a vase of greenery. When winter comes, we don’t have to say goodbye to all things growing just because the cherry blossoms are long gone. Here, designer Shea McGee from Studio McGee brought in twigs with winter berries that give life and color to this kitchen table.
Leave it to Anthropologie to take the standard porch scene up a notch (a step?). The brand’s takeover of this Brooklyn townhouse greeted guests with glowing LED orbs that gave us an otherworldly vibe. Obviously, mood lighting is a key ingredient in creating holiday magic.
White, Red And Gold Christmas Home Decor Ideas
Taking up cocktail table real estate is a given when it comes to Christmas decorations, and these champagne-colored table trees from West Elm are the perfect addition. Their metallic sheen almost sparkles from the reflection of the flickering lights in the room.
Here’s another beautiful holiday decor idea from designer Sarah Bartholomew. she effortlessly draped a garland of greenery along the stairs, securing it in place with romantic long red ribbons. Together with the leopard runner, we love this look.
If your Christmas tree doesn’t have the ability to display your entire collection of ornaments (eyes on you, holiday hoarders), or you’d rather go without a tree this year, try grouping extra cookies in a pretty bowl. We love this curated vignette by Shea McGee, who placed neutral-toned ornaments in a sculptural bowl. Bonus points for the youth Christmas wreath.
Bathrooms are of course the best places for wreaths and stockings, but they’re also a good place to incorporate some height. This view, from the Balsam Hill suite shot of the Plaza Hotel, combines a forest of glossy conifers placed at varying heights to draw the eye upward. Talk about high style!
112 Christmas Decoration Ideas For 2023: Get Inspired Now
You don’t have to start throwing out themed tricks to get your home in the holiday spirit. In this example shown, also courtesy of Shea McGee, a lovely indoor wreath, whitewashed wooden walnuts and a bunch of lighted bells come together to tell the Christmas story. Still angry. McGee says, “Smell is such a powerful design tool, especially during the holidays. I like to create a familiar and warm atmosphere with orange slices, dried twigs or a classic winter candle.”
As an alternative to the traditional red and green scheme, try adopting one or the other. We love this romantic holiday table by ELLE DECOR A-List designers Paolo Moschino and Philippe Vergeilen. They embraced rich reds in bouquets of roses and bright candlesticks. Blue and white porcelain keeps it light, while stacks of pine cones make the arrangement seasonal.
Festive decoration is not just for the living room. After all, bedrooms are the place to see sugar visions. Elegant Christmas decoration idea for bedroom. Place a wreath at the foot of your bed for a simple celebration, like this look from Frontgate.
Festive decoration does not necessarily imply maximalism. In this quiet, atmospheric vignette, artist and designer John Derian simply hung an evergreen wreath over the door frame, packed a basket full of large metal donuts, and hung a delicate paper sprig of mistletoe from a cabinet. Refined, effortless and timeless.
60 Simple Christmas Table Decorations And Holiday Centerpieces
An alternative to a luxurious Christmas tree. A collection of small topiaries grouped together and decorated with a quirky red ribbon. The look, which has the timeless appeal of Bunny Mellon’s favorite plants, comes to us courtesy of designer Sarah Bartholomew, who also outlined the montage in a wreath of greenery for double the glitz.
Evergreens don’t just have to be conifer varieties. Just look at the out-of-this-world festive greenery at the London home of House of Hackney co-founders Frieda Gormley and Javi M Royle. Here, for a wonderful dinner centerpiece, they used a variety of wild vegetables and interspersed with whimsical flowers, such as pale pink anthurium, as well as spruce branches for a fun nod to tradition. Get the look by using your own backyard as inspo.
We love how artist and designer Josh Yong ditched the expected Christmas color combination of red and green for yellow and white. Not only does it work as a uniform, neutral scheme, but the subtle vitamin C glow is the perfect antidote to any winter blues.
Rachel Silva, assistant digital editor at ELLE DECOR, covers design, architecture, trends and all things haute couture. He has previously written for Time, The Wall Street Journal and Citywire.
Elegant White Christmas Decor Ideas
Anna Fixen, deputy digital editor at ELLE DECOR, focuses on sharing the best of the design world through in-depth reporting and online storytelling. Prior to joining the staff, he held positions at Architectural Digest, Metropolis and Architectural Record magazines.
24 elegant advent calendars We want Christmas tree tops that are the pinnacle of elegant 16 elegant and refined gifts for design lovers