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90+ Designer-Approved Christmas Decor Ideas

Home for the holidays never looked so chic!

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Katie Nixon Photography

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The most wonderful time of the year will be upon us before we know it. And though you may have your tried-and-true holiday decorating schemes—be it a bedazzled tree, festooned staircase, or pined-out porch decorations—why not shake up your yuletide decorating routine this year? After all, it never hurts to eschew your regular repertoire of red-and-green garlands and baubles in favor of some different Christmas decor ideas. Thankfully, there is no shortage of ideas out there to create the holiday home (or corner; we see you, small space-dwellers!) of your dreams. In fact, advises designer Shea McGee of Studio McGee—like gifts under the tree–sometimes the best holiday decorations come in the smallest of packages. “The key to holiday styling is to not overlook the small stuff. If there’s a time for trinkets, ’tis the season,” she tells us. In addition to hanging flowing greenery everywhere, “In my home, I love to add little wreaths to the shelves displaying my once-a-year platters, and festive pillows join the others on my girls’ beds.”

To help get those creative juices flowing, feast your eyes on our favorite designer-approved Christmas decorating ideas, from McGee and dozens of other design experts. From moody and antiques-filled to cheery and retro to colorful alternatives on classic holiday staples, we’re certain you’ll find glimmers of inspiration to make your spirits merry, bright, and oh-so-chic.

1

Collect Baubles in Bowls

christmas decor ideas
Lucy Call

If your Christmas tree doesn’t have the capacity to flaunt your entire ornament collection (eyes on you, holiday hoarders!), or you’re opting to go tree-free this year, try grouping complementary baubles in pretty bowls. We love this curated vignette from Shea McGee, who placed neutral-hued ornaments in a sculptural scalloped bowl. Bonus points for the teeny-tiny Christmas wreath!

2

Gussy Up a Console

christmas decor ideas
Katie Nixon Photography

No fireplace? Snow problem! Designer Caitlin Wilson—the queen of all things pretty—cleverly converted her living room console table into its own mantel moment, complete with a wreath and coordinating stockings. Festive ribbons and vases of flowers add an additional pop of cheer.

3

Party in the Back

christmas decor ideas
Lacey Sombar

Why should wreaths just be for the walls? Interior designer Bradley Odom will also hang them in unexpected locales, including the back of his cane dining chairs. “It’s another place to add lush greenery, and it’s the perfect place to hang name cards when hosting a dinner party,” he tells us.

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4

Make Your Mantel a Magic Forest

christmas decor ideas
Courtesy Balsam Hill

Mantels are prime locations for garlands and stockings, sure, but they’re also a prime site to incorporate some height. This look, from a Balsam Hill takeover of a suite at the Plaza Hotel, brings together a forest of glittering conifers, positioned at varying heights to draw the eye upward. Talk about high style!

5

Say More with Less

christmas decor ideas
Lucy Call

You don’t have to start throwing themed knickknacks to get your home in the holiday spirit. In this pared-back example, also courtesy Shea McGee, a chic indoor wreath, bleached wood nutcrackers, and a bunch of burnished bells together tell a Christmas story. Still stumped? Cater to the senses, says McGee: “Scent is such a powerful design tool, especially around the holidays. I like to set a mood that feels familiar and warm through a bowl of orange slices, dried sprigs, or a classic winter candle.”

6

Revel in Rich Reds

christmas decor ideas
Courtesy Paolo Moschino and Philip Vergeylen

As an alternative to a traditional red and green scheme, try embracing one or the other. We love this romantic holiday table from ELLE DECOR A-List designers Paolo Moschino and Philip Vergeylen. They embraced rich reds in the bunches of roses and bright candlesticks. Blue and white porcelain keeps it light, while piles of pine cones keep the scheme seasonal.

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7

Bring It in the Bedroom

christmas decor ideas
Lucy Call

Holiday decor isn’t just for living rooms. Bedrooms, after all, are the venue for those visions of sugarplums. A chic Christmas bedroom decorating idea? Drape a garland over the foot of your bed for fuss-free festivity, like this look from Frontgate.

8

Go Subtle

john derian christmas decor
Courtesy John Derian

Holiday decorating doesn’t necessarily entail maximalism. In this quiet, atmospheric vignette, artist and designer John Derian simply hung an evergreen garland above a doorframe, packed a basket full of oversize metallic baubles, and hung a delicate paper sprig of mistletoe from the cabinet. Subtle, effortless—and timeless.

9

Tip-Top Topiaries

sarah bartholomew holiday décor
Courtesy Sarah Bartholomew

A chic Christmas tree alternative? A set of petite topiaries, grouped together and decked out in whimsical red ribbon. The look, which has the enduring appeal of Bunny Mellon’s preferred plants, comes to us courtesy of designer Sarah Bartholomew, who also outlined a display nook in a verdant garland for double the gorgeousness.

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10

Glam Up Your Greenery

house of hackney townhouse
Michael Sinclair

Evergreens needn’t be only of the conifer variety. Just see the out-of-this-world holiday greenery in the London home of House of Hackney co-founders Frieda Gormley and Javvy M Royle. Here, for a stunning dining centerpiece, they used a variety of wild greens and tucked in quirky blooms, like pale pink anthurium, with holly berry sprigs for a fun nod to tradition. Get the look by using your own backyard as inspo.

11

Spruce Up That Sideboard

christmas living room decorations
Ariel Garneau

No space? No problem! We love how PBQfortwo’s Ariel Garneau used her sideboard to display an adorable collection of miniature vintage Christmas trees. Follow suit by arranging your own holiday heirlooms in a festive tableau.

12

Maximal Mantel

martyn lawrence bullard christmas mantel
Courtesy Martyn Lawrence Bullard

ELLE DECOR A-List designer Martyn Lawrence Bullard is known for being a bit extra when it comes to his decor (see his opulent California home), and the holidays are no exception. “I always love to incorporate as many natural elements as I can in my Christmas decor,” he tells us—especially fresh blooms, as seen here on his flower-festooned mantel. “For longevity I use orchids,” he advises. “When they have the little water containers on the bottom they can last easily two weeks in the tree or dressing the swags on your mantel.”

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13

Citrus Cheer

josh young saffron christmas tree   elle decor
Josh Yöung

We love how artist and designer Josh Yöung ditched the expected Christmas color combo of red and green for one of yellow and white. Not only does it serve as a unified, neutral scheme, the subtle splashes of vitamin-C hues are the perfect antidote to any winter blues.

14

Stairway to Heaven

sarah bartholomew
Sarah Bartholomew

Here’s another pretty holiday decor idea from designer Sarah Bartholomew: She draped a verdant garland effortlessly along the staircase, fastening it in place with romantic long red ribbons. Along with a leopard runner, we’re wild for this look.

15

Get Topsy-Turvy

elle decor  best christmas tree decorations
Joyce Park

Entryways are a great spot to go “ham” for the holidays. And, if you’re blessed with a double-height lobby like style maven Kelly Wearstler, you can bring your Christmas decor to new heights by hanging a simple evergreen garland from the ceiling. And with a little wire, you can create an abstract, torquing look with signature drama, like Wearstler did here.

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16

Try an Unexpected Color

elle decor  best christmas tree decorations
Christopher Payne

Colorful Christmas trees are a surefire way to add some retro appeal to your holiday decor, and we’re especially fond of this unusual tangerine one in designer Michel Smith Boyd’s home. The bold choice lends a surprisingly neutral look in the context of the rest of the room, while the leopard-print tree skirt adds a dash of wild fun. Orange you glad you spied this idea?

17

Deck Out That Door

home decorated for christmas holidays with wreath trees, ornaments and garlands
Anastasiia Krivenok//Getty Images

Want instant curb appeal? Outline your door with a bauble-packed garland and complete the look with a matching wreath. Your guests (and Santa!) will be in the holiday spirit before they even step inside.

18

Rose-Colored Glasses

christmas decorations
Kylie Fitts

Just because red and green are the typical Christmas color palette doesn’t mean they’re your only options. Havenly’s Heather Goerzen shook up the status quo by filling this nook with warm pinks, creams, and oranges. The result is a fun, refreshing take on the classic palette.

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19

Haute Heater

christmas decorations
Kylie Fitts

You can dress up any nook and cranny of your home—just take a look at this space from Havenly. Shelby Girard, the brand’s vice president of creative and design, beautified this radiator with a garland, string lights, and minimalist stockings.

20

Luxe Laundry

christmas decorations
Lauren Elaine Interiors

Anyone who wants to spruce up their laundry room should take a cue from Lauren Elaine Interiors. The Atlanta-based designer decked out this butler’s pantry with a lush green wreath and matching mini topiaries.

Headshot of Anna Fixsen
Anna Fixsen
Deputy Digital Editor

Anna Fixsen, Deputy Digital Editor at ELLE DECOR, focuses on how to share the best of the design world through in-depth reportage and online storytelling. Prior to joining the staff, she has held positions at Architectural Digest, Metropolis, and Architectural Record magazines. elledecor.com 

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