3 Christmas Decor Trends That Give Designers the “Ick” (and 3 They Love!)
The holiday season is all about joy. And decorating for the holidays is a huge part of that joy! At least for me, it is. Each year, I can’t wait to put up my Christmas decorations — which yes, I do get started on immediately after Halloween.
Regardless of how pre-Thanksgiving decorating makes you feel, holiday decor should, of course, always be about whatever sparks joy for you. As always, we’ll never yuck your yum — especially not when it comes to sentimental holiday decorations.
But, if you (like me) want to stay stylish this holiday season, you’re in the right place: I spoke with top interior designers to find out which Christmas decor styles they recommend you stay away from, and what to try instead. Merry “Cringe-mas” to all!
3 Christmas Decor Styles That Make Designers Cringe
Red and Green Overload
Designer Donen Kemnitz of Favorite Design Co. suggests opting for decorations in hues other than the typical red and green. “I used to love the overstyled Christmas trees with big shiny ornaments, but an overload of red and green decor can be overwhelming,” she says.
As Ethan Greenfeld, founder and principal designer at Ethan Charles Design, explains, “You can really elevate your tree by choosing colors that feel more personal and unexpected. My tree changes every couple of years, but this past year, I leaned into ochre tones with hints of rose gold and burnt sugar brown. The year before, I went with burnt oranges, gold, and a deep teal.”
Brightly Colored Trees
This year, designers are leaning toward traditional green Christmas trees rather than trees dyed in hues like pink, purple, blue, red, black, or white.
“A holiday decorating trend that I would be happy to never see again is colored trees. Call me a traditionalist, but I love a green, realistic-looking Christmas tree,” mentions Libby Fehsenfeld of Tralala Interiors. “If you don’t want to deal with the upkeep of a real tree, there are many artificial trees on the market now that are very realistic looking and often come pre-lit. Win-win!”
Multicolored Light Strings
Lastly, designers recommend staying away from multicolored lights if you’re looking for a softer, elegant vibe. “Multicolored lights tend to overpower everything else in the decor,” concludes Meena Murthy Kakkar, partner and design head of Envisage. “Modern Christmas decorating has shifted toward curated elegance. Warm fairy lights, amber tones, or even soft pastel glows create a cozy and sophisticated mood, allowing your tree, wreaths, and table settings to shine through.”
How to Do Designer-Approved Christmas Decor
Tone Down the Color Palette
Designer Donen Kemnitz of Favorite Design Co. suggests choosing neutral tones. “I used to love the overstyled Christmas trees with big shiny ornaments, but an overload of red and green decor can be overwhelming,” she says. “Sticking to a more neutral color palette while using different textures and materials can still be very festive and warm.” You could also try softer shades of red and green, like burgundy and deep forest greens.
Mix in Some Texture
In addition to softer colors, try adding a pop of visual intrigue with some unexpected textures. Aashna Mansharamani, director of Fine Lines Designers, recommends using “natural elements like dried citrus or pinecones” for your holiday decor this year. I love this look — nature never goes out of style.
If you’re lucky enough to have some of these growing in your garden, you might also try using hydrangeas as tree filler this year! I’m seeing this trend everywhere.
Quality Over Quantity: Prioritize Personal Touches
Ninada Kashyap, cofounder of Alkove-Design, says that at the end of the day, pieces that are precious to you are always the perfect finishing touch. “We love when people mix in a few meaningful pieces collected over the years [or] from travels around the world,” she says.
“I would recommend a more collected and personal approach,” Mansharamani affirms. “The idea is to let the tree tell a story rather than for it to look staged, embracing a little imperfection and individuality to make it feel truly festive.”