5 Interior Designer Approved Christmas Decoration Ideas

The holiday season is upon us, and what better way to welcome the festivities than by transforming your home into a magical Christmas wonderland?

As interior designers, the one question we get asked the most this time of year is:

“How do I decorate for Christmas without ruining my homes aesthetic?”

 
 

Childhood Christmas in the 90s.

We all know how easy it can be for colourful festive decor to sway towards looking tacky and cheap. And while this aesthetic reminds me fondly of my childhood Christmases in the late 90s/early 2000s, those disposable, plastic, neon decorations we all know so well haven’t quite caught up with the 21st century aesthetically (and definitely not environmentally).

So the natural reaction when decorating your adult home would be to completely oppose this- right? Wrong!

Sad, beige Christmas (where is the festive magic?!)

We see it every year: the dreaded sad beige Christmas. While this may technically not clash with your homes aesthetic, it is all too easy to lose the festive spirit in brown wrapping paper, faded neutrals and white baubles.

 
 

So how do we find the happy medium and create the perfect, cosy aesthetically pleasing Christmas, whilst still keeping that all-important festive charm?

Don’t worry- as interior designers, we've curated five sophisticated and stylish decoration ideas to help you.

 
  1. Lighting

    Lighting plays a crucial role in creating that magical Christmas atmosphere we all love. The right lighting can transform any space from ordinary to extraordinary, creating warm and inviting environments that capture the essence of the holiday season. The key is to keep the lighting warm (2700-3000K) instead of cool white to create a cozy, festive atmosphere

 

2. Use this garland hack to fill empty space

We love this DIY hack using a shower rod to hang a garland in an arch. It is a simple way to add a bit of Christmas magic into a seemingly forgotten space.

 

3. Add some colour

Some people might not want to hear this but we need a bit of colour in the festive season! Whether it is the traditional deep reds and greens or a cooler snowy blue, adding colour will make all the difference. We particularly love adding gold as an accent, and it is a great way to add some sparkle to an otherwise neutral and minimalistic room.

 

4. Table decoration is key

Your table settings are where you can really let your creativity shine during the festive season. Create an enchanting dining experience by incorporating natural elements like pine branches as a table runner, interspersed with white pillar candles and metallic baubles for sparkle. Complete the look with crisp white linens and gold-rimmed dinnerware for a sophisticated yet festive atmosphere.

 

5. Have fun with it!

While it is important to many about keeping your xmas home decor looking fabulous (trust me, we understand), it is not the most important thing about the festive season. Spending time with your loved ones is what it is all about, so incorporate them into putting up the decorations and the festive magic will shine through without even trying! Have a go at some fun Christmas DIY with your kids, or partner and you will then have sentimental decorations that will stay with you for years.