Advertisement

Interior designers reveal the biggest Christmas decorating trends for 2023

christmas trends 2023, a living room with a christmas tree
This year's biggest Christmas decor trendsJohn Lewis

Mushroom baubles, 'show trees' and jewel tones are among the biggest Christmas decorating trends this year.

The excitement for Christmas is on the up, with 31 per cent wanting a bigger celebration than last year, Tesco's sixth annual Christmas report reveals. And the anticipation has been reflected in early online sales. In October alone, John Lewis' Christmas decor sales were up 10 per cent compared to last year and footfall to its Christmas departments rose by 13 per cent.

So how exactly does this translate to the home? Find out how we'll be decorating the Christmas tree for 2023, along with the most popular festive colour schemes for the home, and the trends that will help to put a personalised touch on Christmas celebrations.

1. Sumptuous jewel tones

More is more, as they say, and there's no better time to experiment with colour than at Christmas. In fact, #ColourfulChristmas has more than 21,000 posts on Instagram. With a nod to maximalism, this year think merry and bright, but with jewel tones. Bring this look to life with a magnificent mix of midnight blues, rich emerald greens, and damson or berry shades. It's luxe, contemporary and glamorous.

rockett st george, rainbow bauble christmas garland
Rainbow Bauble Christmas Garland, Rockett St GeorgeRockett St George

Wayfair's midnight blue pre-lit faux fir is perfect for pairing with jewel tones for a rich, luxe look. 'It's a contemporary alternative to a traditional green tree – maintaining all of the charm and style,' says Dee Fontenot, Wayfair's resident style advisor.

2. Two trees instead of one

News just in: the UK is slowly becoming a two-tree household. For those who have the space, 27 per cent have a main tree for their presents, alongside a secondary 'show tree' for the hallway or home office, John Lewis reports in its 2023 Festive Traditions Tracker. This rises to four in 10 among those with children, as parents decorate a picture-perfect Christmas tree alongside another fun, novelty fir for the children to enjoy.

And when it comes to the type of tree, 58 per cent celebrate solely with an artificial tree compared to 14 per cent who use a real tree – and 11 per cent have both.

3. Oversized decorations

Making a statement has never been bigger, both in and outside the home. Play with scale by embracing larger than usual baubles, hang big decorations from windows and mirrors, and create a focal point above a sideboard with a group of giant honeycomb paper decorations and supersized stars.

paper decorations at layered lounge
Shop paper decorations at Layered LoungeLayered Lounge

Also consider how you can add wow factor to your garden. The popular Holiball is a larger than life, inflatable bauble suitable for both indoor and outdoor use.

4. Back to tradition

The festive season is all about creating moments of joy, warmth and togetherness, and nostalgia is at the heart of this. One in three of us are planning on having a super traditional Christmas this year, eBay reveals, opting for a classic red, green and gold colour palette. It's a timeless look that evokes a quintessential Christmas.

a box of pine cones and hand made ornaments under the treeset the scenemix new baubleswith pine cones andolive branch stemsfor a natural feel
House Beautiful/Mark Scott

'As a complementary colour, red is sure to pop against the green of a Christmas tree, with gold adding elegance and a sense of luxury which nods to many Christmases past,' says Jennifer Derry, interior design expert and chief merchandising officer at Balsam Hill. 'Traditions stand the test of time for a reason, so for those more strapped for cash this festive season, investing in a red and gold theme will see return year after year.'

This trend incorporates the return of vintage Christmas favourites such as nutcracker ornaments that provide warmth and nostalgia, alongside old crockery and passed down tablecloths, evoking the best memories of the past.

5. Chic outdoor decorations

It's not just our interiors that's getting a festive overhaul. John Lewis says decorating outside the home has become a new tradition, with 57 per cent of households now sprucing up their outdoors (hello, doorscaping), investing in fairy lights, wreaths, garlands and more. And while we're not shying away from bright and bold, the majority (72 per cent) remain adamant that outdoor lights should always look tasteful. We agree.

Lisa Cherry, lead Christmas buyer at John Lewis, comments: 'Our sales of outdoor decorations have shot up by 96 per cent since last year. Whether you’re going big and bold, or for a more subtle approach, good styling is key with customers embracing "Chic-mas".'

6. A conscious Christmas

To counter the negative environmental impact at Christmas (on average, households end up with three bin bags of non-recyclable rubbish during the festive season), it's all about being a little kinder to the planet. The focus here is on artisanal, handcrafted pieces including paper, wood, recycled glass, wool felt and papier-mâché.

a christmas tree in a room

As such, this year Habitat has created a range of timeless ornaments, from colourful felt garlands to wooden and paper hanging decorations that reference traditional Christmas crafts, to enhance and layer pre-existing decorations in the home.

Meanwhile, online homeware store Nkuku prides itself on ethical, eco-friendly and beautifully handmade pieces. Its Christmas range is full of the most gorgeous decorative accessories which combine timeless design with traditional skills and natural materials.

Choosing to invest in thoughtful and versatile eco-friendly decorations, from cotton paper ornaments to fabric crackers, enables us all to reuse and cherish them for years to come.

As we continue to look outwards with a wider lens on the environment, almost half of us are determined to recycle or reuse our wrapping paper; one in three will reuse old decorations; a huge 76 per cent are aiming to avoid single-use plastics entirely; a fifth intend to buy sustainable gifts, and one in 10 are planning handmade gifts, according to eBay's Magic of Christmas 2023 report.

7. Mushrooms and toadstools are the new avocado

Quirky baubles are still on the rise, up 43 per cent compared to last year, reveals John Lewis. There is a notable shift too in buying individual baubles to add to the tree each year, rather than sets. 'We're seeing quirky baubles like mushrooms or air fryers flying off the shelves,' says commercial director Kathleen Mitchell.

john lewis christmas mushroom bauble
Transparent Mushroom Bauble, John LewisJohn Lewis

We know mushroom-shaped lighting (drawing inspiration from 70s design but with a contemporary twist) has been a key 2023 trend, and it's filtered into Christmas decorations too. Mushrooms and toadstools will certainly be reigning this year.

8. Metallic Christmas trees for full-on sparkle

Some of us are going against the norm this year, injecting some fun and glamour into Christmas decorating. Reporting a 2,000 per cent increase in searches for metallic trees compared to last month, Wayfair is championing the tinsel tree this year, which is laden with silver decorations.

silver christmas tree

'The tinsel tree is both futuristic and nostalgic in equal measure,' says Dee. 'A super fun, standout look, a shimmering silver tree is perfect for those who love to entertain at home during the festive season, bringing the party vibes to your living space. Go all out silver in your decor to embrace 70s retro, or mix in bright pops of colourful decs for a dopamine dressing hit.'

You may have even spotted John Lewis' dense and bushy copper Christmas tree, perfect for pairing with warm creams and luxury golds. The tree is so popular that it's already sold out online.

9. Disco balls to ring in party season

Speaking of metallics, disco balls (also called mirror balls) are everywhere this Christmas. From floor ornaments to tree decorations, it certainly heralds the start of party season and will see you well into the New Year.

mirror disco ball underneath christmas tree
Disco Ball, WayfairWayfair

'Amp up the glitz and glamour in your home by incorporating disco balls into your festive decor,' says Jess Martin, decoration expert at Ginger Ray. 'Whether you want to go all out and bedazzle your whole home or add a few subtle touches to add some extra sparkle, such as disco ball tree ornaments, disco-core has something for everyone.'


10. Candy cane decor to delight

Candy cane decor has long been synonymous with the Christmas season. Bold, playful and sweet, a contemporary twist sees berry reds, snowy whites and dazzling silvers combine for a festively extravagant look. From baubles and garlands to candles and wrapping paper, it's the perfect opportunity to go big and bold.

Follow House Beautiful on TikTok and Instagram.

You Might Also Like