There's no doubt about it - this year's Christmas decor is destined to be bolder, brighter and more fun than ever. Championing colourful festive decor, as well as the glitz and glamour that always comes with the festive season, the Good Housekeeping Homes Team have recently put together their top three Christmas trends to try out this year.
From kitsch and colourful to Scandi-style sparkle, we've tried them out for ourselves, but we want to know which one is your favourite this year?
Christmas trends: Kitschmas
Set to be the star of the show this Christmas, Kitschmas is guaranteed to put a smile on your face. This colourful trend gives you permission to turn Christmas into a party this year. Don’t be afraid of a little kitsch – a hot-air balloon bauble, a slogan stocking or a novelty card are all part of the fun.
Keep the look sophisticated (rather than silly) by choosing one base shade for your space, before adding other playful bursts. We’ve gone for poppy pink, which takes on a surprisingly festive persona paired with every colour of the rainbow.
Top tips: Don’t forget to give your sideboard a seasonal makeover. Add festive stems (or golden thistles) to your everyday vases, display your favourite Christmas cards and curate a stack of temptingly wrapped gifts.
You should also make the most of your treasure-forever decorations by displaying them rather than hanging them on your Christmas tree. They’ll come into their own when given pride of place.
Christmas trends: Midnight Blue
Berry red and pine green are classic festive shades for a reason, but traditionalists should take note of the surprise colour topping this year’s decorating charts. Enchanting midnight blue creates an instant sense of opulence and will pair sumptuously with the colours already in your decorating toolkit.
Dial up the luxe by using navy shades on pieces with a lustrous finish – glittering baubles, silk napkins and lacquered candlesticks will sparkle even more in this trending hue.
Top tips: Your most treasured ornaments belong on the mantelpiece. Mix pieces with different heights and make them glow with fairy lights. Also, why not make gift-giving an art with extravagantly printed wrapping paper and contrasting ribbons. A narrow ribbon gives a refined flourish, no matter, the size of the present!
In our eyes too, the most memorable place settings are playful ones and festive plates will instantly make your guests smile. Let them enjoy centre stage by keeping napkins and Christmas crackers to one side.
Christmas trends: Golden wonderland
Undoubtedly our favourite festive metallic, gold has had a Scandi makeover this season. Key to the look is an artful combination of glamorous details with slightly more rustic elements.
This snow-dusted tree, for example, is decked out in glimmering, jewel-like decorations, but paper trees and ceramic baubles in natural shades add homespun charm. Echo this contrast by pairing raw linen and natural sheepskin with pieces made from delicate glass and luxe silk.
Top tips: It’s easy to update much-loved Christmas stockings. Try embellishing the top of yours with a few ‘wow’ decorations held together with a pretty bow. Down at eye level, you can also curate a festive ‘trayscape’ on your coffee table with striking candles and tea lights in vintage-style glass.
To instantly create a sense of festive glamour to your tablescape, swap your cutlery to a gold set. Mix and match other textures, too – a trendy gold napkin ring makes for a joyous contrast to a white linen napkin.
Pick your favourite!