A Style Guide for Your Holiday Entertaining
Can you believe the holidays are just a few weeks away?! Our calendars are certainly packed with holiday activities, and we bet yours are too.
In fact, many of you may be hosting holiday parties and events and you want your decor to be on point. So, let’s take a look at some of the most popular holiday decorating styles.
photo Lisa Gilmore Design - Whimsical Decor
The 6 Most Popular Holiday Decorating Styles
Though farmhouse, glam, and coastal Christmas themes are also popular, the six most common holiday styles are whimsical, traditional, monochromatic, minimal, rustic, and vintage.
Whimsical Holiday Decor
If you’ve seen our design projects, it will come as no surprise that the Lisa Gilmore Design team prefers colorful holiday decor.
Whimsical holiday decor embraces your playful side. Think bright colors, bold patterns, and unexpected elements like oversized ornaments. Consider incorporating fun touches like a garland made of colorful pom-poms or festive bottle brush trees. For a playful twist, try incorporating unconventional colors like pink or turquoise and striking prints like stripes or animal prints.
photo Lisa Gilmore Design
Traditional Holiday Decor
If the holidays bring to mind Bing Crosby songs and sipping egg nog around the fire, then traditional holiday decor may be the right choice for you.
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Traditional holiday decor is all about embracing classic elements like red and green color schemes, plaid patterns, and evergreen boughs. Classic holiday decor includes wreaths made of holly or trees decorated with handmade ornaments. For a cozy touch, consider adding a plaid throw blanket or festive throw pillows to your entertaining space.
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Monochromatic Holiday Decor
If you prefer an understated, yet luxurious holiday tone, then monochromatic holiday decor may be perfect for your holiday events.
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Choose shades of white or silver for an elegant look, or shades of blue for a cool and calming vibe. Consider using white lights and white ornaments to create an ethereal feel. And for a modern twist on monochromatic decor, add metallic accents like silver candlesticks or gold garlands.
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Minimal Holiday Decor
After minimalism became mainstream in the 2000s, minimal holiday decor also became a popular style. And, we must admit, minimal holiday decor certainly makes setup and storage much simpler.
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If you’re a minimalist who wants to keep your holiday environment simple and chic, think neutral colors, clean lines, and natural materials like wood or greenery. Consider using simple white lights instead of multicolored strands to create a serene atmosphere. For a minimalist take on the classic Christmas tree, use a sparse tree with only a few carefully chosen ornaments.
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Rustic Holiday Decor
For those who plan on spending the holidays in the mountains, a rustic motif could be the icing on your holiday cake.
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Embrace the great outdoors and create a cozy, cabin feel with lots of texture and warmth. Use
natural elements like pinecones or birch logs to create a cozy atmosphere. For a rustic Christmas tree, swap traditional garland for burlap ribbon.
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Vintage Holiday Decor
If you love antiques and vintage pieces as much as Lisa, then vintage holiday decor may appeal to you.
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When shopping, look for antique items that can double as ornaments, select vintage-inspired wrapping paper, and choose old-fashioned string lights rather than modern ones. An antique sled or some vintage-inspired glass ornaments make the perfect addition.
And for a throwback vibe that will work all winter long, add vintage-inspired throw pillows and blankets to your living spaces.
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FAQs
1. How do I choose my Christmas decor style?
An easy way to identify your perfect Christmas decor style is to look at your non-seasonal decor. If your style is eclectic, contemporary, or traditional, then it’s likely that your Christmas decor style will be the same. If you need more help, consider your personal taste, the color scheme of your home, and the size of your space. The answers to these questions will help you identify what kind and how much decor you need.
2. What are the different styles of Christmas decorating?
Christmas decorating styles are as diverse and creative as the people who celebrate them, but the most popular styles are traditional, monochromatic, minimal, whimsical, rustic, and vintage. And don’t forget that you don’t have to follow any one style; you can mix and match different styles and elements to create your own unique look.
3. How can I make my house look more Christmassy?
First, start with the centerpiece of Christmas decor– a Christmas tree. Choose a theme for your tree– whether it’s a decor style like whimsical, traditional, or rustic– or a color scheme like blue, white, and gold. Then comes the fun part– decorating.
Other festive Christmas decorations include wreaths and garlands, a holiday-themed mantle with stockings, and special table decor.
One of our favorite parts of the holiday season is being able to give our spaces new and exciting looks. We hope these ideas inspire you to get creative with your holiday decorating this year! Most of all, we wish you a wonderful holiday season.
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