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Winter wonderland - this year’s Christmas decorating trends

Posted 21 December 2015 by Keith Osborne

It's not too late to put some seasonal pizzazz into your home with this year's Christmas decorating trends...

Christmas has a grand old tradition of storytelling and none more so than when it comes to festive decorating.

This is the time of year when drama and glamour can really take hold, veering from the traditional to quirky, breathtaking schemes. One of the strongest colours to emerge this year is blue, which can be used as a primary colour and teamed with gold and champagne tones. 

Frosted

The Disney film Frozen has had a knock-on influence on Christmas decorations and frosted fantasy wonderland themes are particularly prevalent. Look out for icicles, snowballs, polar wildlife (bears, deer, foxes and owls). The ice can be broken with soft pastel tones of mint green, pale blue and champagne, or can be keep pure and simple, with dashes of silver for added lift. 

Bold blue

Blue Christmas tree​All kinds of shades of blue are here this season, offering a rich and varied palette from which to choose. Schemes range from vivid royal blue, teamed with gold, for a royal and powerful look to pale tones of frosted turquoise and pale, ice blue. Azure blue brings added Mediterranean warmth and a relaxed more informal atmosphere. 

Metallics

Metallic tones have been a prevalent trend in interiors for several years now and form a key part of Christmas decorating. Although gold remains perennially popular, warmer tones of copper and bronze have crept in, as well as pewter and silver. Copper and bronze work beautifully with natural themes that focus on materials such as wood and woollen fabrics. Metallics offer an injection of sophistication and elegance and give all the colour palettes a real 'lift'.   

Retro nostalgia

This is where Christmas gets really fun. Embrace kitsch and indulge in a good old yesteryear wallow. Look out for the many fabulous lustre painted glass decorations that are available, including dogs, vintage cars, santas and snowmen. Make your own paper chains and make sure you hang those iconic paper lanterns from ceiling lights. Decorations dating from a core period of the 1950s are particularly hot and make a welcome change from the usual Victorian style baubles. 

Peppermint candy

Red and white is striking trend that is taking prime position this season. Think of the traditional peppermint candy cane, but on a wider scale. Christmas stockings, reindeer, snow boots, paper napkins, candles, hearts and stars all look terrifically fresh, as then white and red contrast creates a light and bright effect. A dash of green complements this look perfectly. The Nordic trend looks particularly good using red and white. 

Nature's own

Natural materials such as wood and textured fabrics such as sackcloth and wool offer a restful and charming alternative to all the festive bling. Use contrasting white decorations, such as pine cones against wood backgrounds and bring on the woodland creatures, such as foxes, deer, squirrels and owls that are a strong and prevalent influence.  

Captions: 

1 The traditional Christmas colour of red looks fabulous when teamed with white - the result is a dazzling festive scheme, bursting with warmth. Use spray snow to create an icy backdrop then decorate with red ornaments interspersed with turquoise/blue and silver baubles, Keilder Snowy Spruce tree, £169.99, red stockings, £11.99,   www.dobbies.com  

2 Sparkling white decorations contrast beautifully with green foliage edged in frost - together they form a striking yet simple theme that picks up from the nature scene trend, Christmas ornaments from 99p, 6ft pre-lit Nordic tree, £59.99, www.dunelm-mill.com 

3 Be eco-friendly and trendy this Christmas, by making your own decorations using natural materials, evergreen boughs and recycled materials, Homesense www.tkmaxx.com 

4 Nordic style has really taken off for Christmas decorating as well as an interior trend generally. You'll see plenty of reindeer, of course, as well as snowflakes, stars and Christmas trees, Nordic Grey Christmas Collection, www.janconstantine.com 

5 The vibrant blue of the Mediterranean has been carried through to Christmas with this vivid blue and silver themed tree, Midnight Christmas decorations, from £2.99 and Bluffton tree, 6.5ft, £169, www.wyevalegardencentres.co.uk    


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