7 Holiday Decorating Trends Everyone's Trying This Year

Every year, holiday decorating trends shift a little more toward personality and away from the same string of lights and plastic wreath. This year's crop leans into rich color, real textures, and displays that feel collected rather than store-bought. Here are seven ideas worth stealing before the tree goes up.

1. Moody Color Palettes

Classic red and green are getting a moodier update this year. Think burgundy, hunter green, and navy layered together for a look that feels richer and a little more grown-up. It's the same holiday spirit, just with more depth.

A local painter or designer can help you bring these deeper tones into your walls, trim, or accent pieces:

• Interior Painting

• Interior Decor

• Drywall Repair

• Cabinet Refinishing

2. Real Greenery, Not Faux

Faux garland is taking a back seat to the real thing this year. Fresh or preserved greenery, natural wood, and woven textures are showing up on mantels, staircases, and front doors in place of plastic and glitter. Get the look with these tips: 

• Use fresh or preserved juniper for wreaths and garland

• Add pinecones, dried orange slices, or wood beads for texture

• Mix in real branches at varying heights for a fuller look

3. Plaid Makes a Comeback

Plaid is having a moment again this year, and not just on stockings. Tartan ribbon, throw pillows, table runners, and even upholstered accent chairs are giving rooms a warmer, more traditional feel.

A local upholsterer or decorator can help you work plaid into your existing furniture and window treatments:

• Furniture Reupholstery

• Window Treatment

• Handyman

• Upholstery Cleaning

4. Curated Displays Instead of Matching Sets

Perfectly matched ornament sets are out. This year's most inviting homes look like they were decorated over several years, not purchased in one trip. Here’s how everyone else is doing it:

• Mixing a few heirloom or vintage ornaments with new ones

• Varying ribbon and bow sizes instead of matching every one

• Letting one sentimental piece, not a matching set, be the focal point

5. Warm, Layered Lighting

Stark white bulbs are giving way to warmer, amber-toned light this year. Layering a few light sources, string lights, lamps, and candles creates a softer glow than one bright strand ever could.

A lighting or electrical pro can help you plan a display that's both warm and safe to leave running all season:

• Holiday Lighting

• Electrical

• Landscape Lighting

• Panel Ugrade

6. Oversized Bows and Statement Ribbons

Bows have gotten bigger, and they're showing up everywhere: on the tree, above the door (or on it), tied to the banister, and even in frames on the wall. A single oversized bow can do more visual work than a handful of small ornaments.

Need a little help? A local holiday decorator can place bows and ribbons so the look feels finished, not scattered.

7. Fruit and Botanical Accents

Fruit is finding its way back onto trees, garlands, and tablescapes this year. The look borrows from traditional autumn trends and pairs easily with any greenery you've already got growing in the room. Try it out:

• Tuck faux or dried pomegranates and citrus into garland.

• Layer berries with greenery along the mantel.

• Build a fruit-topped centerpiece for the table.

A design or floral pro can help you choose botanical accents that hold their color through the season.