By Megan Allbrooks
When decorating for the holidays, you might turn to TikTok or Pinterest for the latest trends, ideas and product recommendations to transform your home into a cozy winter retreat. But after some scrolling, you could also find yourself struggling with what interior designer Jenny Murphy calls “inspiration overwhelm.” Suddenly, what started as a fun project can seem like an insurmountable task.
Murphy, owner of Fort Collins-based interior design and interior architecture firm J. Reiko Design + Co., and Windsor-based party planner Amie Ingram, of Eventfully Unique, share their tips in this stress-free holiday decorating guide. Whether you’re planning the perfect Thanksgiving tablescape or gathering loved ones for an Instagrammable Christmas, their advice can help you strike a balance between what’s trending and what’s timeless.
Current design trends
Murphy and Ingram have noticed a continued preference for soft, neutral colors and natural elements when it comes to home decor, even around the holidays. In recent years, however, both have also observed a shift toward warm, traditional touches. During the holiday season, these include candles, aromatic garlands and simmer pots that fill the room with the scent of fresh citrus, cinnamon and other warm spices. Pops of color, such as rich evergreen and warm burgundy, also add depth to neutral spaces.
Murphy attributes this shift to the omnipresence of technology, which has led many to crave the comfort and nostalgia of old-world charm.
“Research suggests that we’ve been surrounded and bombarded by technology so much that we now crave antiquity,” she says. “It’s an interesting shift, but I think people are really craving that warmth and coziness both in their decor and in their everyday lives.”
Design breakdown
To keep the decorating fun and the pressure low, Murphy suggests starting with one room—ideally one you and your guests will spend the most time in—like the living room. You can easily add festive touches with a garland on the mantle, a chunky knit throw on the couch and candles on side tables to create a warm, inviting atmosphere, she says.
Next, she recommends thinking about how the space needs to function and what elements may or may not be practical. If you have young children, for example, would it be smart to avoid breakable items? If you have pets, will certain florals and botanicals be unsafe for them? These are important questions to consider before deciding how to decorate.
A Thanksgiving tablescape by Amie Ingram, owner of Eventfully Unique.
You’ll also want to work with the style of your home rather than adding items that clash with your existing design. Classic Victorian homes will naturally accommodate rich, warm tones and traditional, antique elements, Murphy says, whereas modern homes lend themselves to cool or neutral shades and airier, minimalist items. Aligning your holiday decor with your home’s style will create a more cohesive and aesthetically pleasing look, she says.
Once you’ve identified your home’s architecture, you can choose items that match its style. If you lean toward modern or minimalist design, choose decor that reflects those preferences, like unadorned ferns and garlands, natural wooden elements and stars, snowflakes and Christmas trees crafted out of paper. If you prefer more curated pieces, explore local flea markets and antique stores to find unique holiday decor that speaks to you. These could include heavy velvet ribbons, antique brass candlesticks and strings of old bells.
Either way, you shouldn’t feel pressured to follow trends just for the sake of doing so, Murphy says. She also warns against choosing “timeless” decor just because you hope it will have a longer shelf life in your home.
“I would say there’s no such thing as timeless design,” Murphy says. “Design is indicative of time. Given that, I know that everybody would like their holiday decor to be as timeless as possible because there’s this idea that it’s the best bang for your buck and you’ll love it forever. But in order to actually find decor that you’ll love forever, the first step is to ask yourself what you intrinsically love, then fill your home with those things.”
Decorate to entertain
Parties are an exciting part of the holiday season, and if you’re aiming to host the best gathering of the year, Ingram has some helpful advice to prepare your home for the festivities.
First, pick a theme. Themes are not only fun for your guests, but they also inspire your color scheme, decorations and menu choices, she says. Popular holiday themes she’s seen recently include winter wonderland, white Christmas and even decade themes that transport guests back to the ’50s or ’60s.
For a white Christmas theme, you can arrange white table settings and centerpieces and even ask your guests to wear all white. For a ’50s or ’60s party, put on some Elvis or Frank Sinatra (bonus points if you can bring out an old turntable and spin some records) and decorate the space with big glass ornaments and old-fashioned tinsel.
Activities are another crucial component of a memorable party, Ingram says, so have a gingerbread house decorating competition or, if you’re planning a low-key night, play a favorite holiday movie in the background. Fun activities can even kick off new holiday traditions with family and friends, she says.
Ingram also encourages party favors, from sweet treats to custom ornaments and other DIY holiday decor that you can either make beforehand or with your guests. No matter what you choose, party favors are a great way for both you and your guests to remember the gathering for years to come.
“You’re trying to create something that people are going to remember,” she says. “It’s wonderful when you can be an influence by concocting a really neat idea that grows and grows and eventually moves from one generation to the next.”
Decorate with the Three Primary Elements of Art
Color.
Bringing color into a room can be as effortless as adding a floral centerpiece to a dining table or adorning a couch with throw pillows. Deep greens and reds complement neutral tones nicely during the holidays.
Texture.
Adding textured elements is another easy way to create visual interest and achieve a cozy holiday look. Drape an armchair in a chunky knit blanket or add velvet ornaments to your Christmas tree. Even simple items like wicker baskets and textured vases can elevate the festive atmosphere and give the eye more to play with.
Space.
While we typically think about space with large pieces, it’s also important to consider when adding small decorative touches. When styling a botanical arrangement, for example, combine large and small elements, along with both real and faux pieces, to achieve the depth and dimension needed for a striking holiday centerpiece.
