Inside the Art of Creating a Winter Wonderland at Home
Dare we say it, but Christmas is approaching, meaning it’s time to dust off the festive box and start thinking about decorating. For those looking for inspiration or advice ahead of tackling the house this year, Michelle Martin, seasonal buyer at Haskins Garden Centres, helps us step into Christmas with top festive styling tips.
Christmas decor trends
“You don’t have to follow a trend, but it can help switch things up year on year and give you a better idea on product choices.
“The hot trend this year in our centres is the Carnival theme, which brings the quirks and fun of the circus to life with a sprinkle of festive cheer. Think vibrant colours and eccentric details, like classic block colour mini tents and plush animals doing party tricks. Mice doing ballet poses, teddies holding balloons, rabbits wearing party hats…an endearingly eccentric scene which evokes the magic of Christmas.
“Our Winter Wishes theme is also proving popular, focussing on an elegant, muted palette which celebrates different shades of green. Trees are adorned with traditional green and white decorations to complement their own unique colouring, including classic plush gonks with floppy hats.”
Colour schemes for Christmas
“A good tip is to coordinate your chosen colours with your existing interiors for seamless integration. You could also pick two or three colours you like to form a base and central theme, such as traditional colours like red, green, and white. Then, add in subtle pops of interesting, complementary colours, like pink or purple.”
Festive lighting ideas
“LEDs are a go-to choice because they’re low cost to run and last a long time. Since they’re longer lasting and often used year after year, you can layer them with different colours and ideas to mix things up. Personally, I always choose a warm white for a classy, calm look inside and outside the home.
“Lights are my biggest focus in my home each year, as they’re a great way to add a new lease of life to everyday spaces. A perfect setting for me is a soft twinkle or static light for a magical finish.”
Key spaces and spots for decorations
“The living room is the prime spot to decorate in most homes, as well as dining rooms to liven up an entertaining space. I suggest treating your dining room with the same grandeur as the living room – give it its own tree, add garlands and mini decorations along mantlepieces. Garlands are brilliant because you can add anything you want to them, such as berries, baubles, mini snowflakes, and wooden houses.
“Some people add a unique touch by decorating their bedrooms, particularly if they have personal, nostalgic items which evoke fond memories.
“Windows are also key decorating spaces, making your home look even more welcoming to entice people inside. Light up decorations, such as little houses and battery candles, are perfect to add to windows, and you can even create your own little displays by combining lots of different decorations. Hanging branches with baubles can also add a spark of colour.
“We’ve seen more people invest in outdoor decorations, particularly since COVID with the rise in popularity of outdoor entertaining. Even just adding a little lighting brings cheer to the outside and passers-by.”
Embracing your own style
“Whether you take a more traditional or quirky approach to decorating, the beauty of Christmas is that anything goes and it’s a chance to really get creative. The key is to do what ties into your own unique style and make sure your house still instils a sense of homeliness and happiness. After all, the festive season is all about celebration, joy, and building memories with loved ones.”
Top photo by Alisa Anton on Unsplash
