The Top Holiday Decorating Trends For 2023, According To Designers

There are certain things Southerners take as given during the holiday season: The tree will be trimmed with handmade ornaments, the table will be crowded with family and friends, and Grandmama’s cookies will fill the tin. But for all our love of tradition, we’re also glad to shake things up from time to time, introducing new colors to the palette and bringing festive touches to unexpected spaces. Here are the decorating trends Southern designers say we can expect to see more of this holiday season and beyond.

Incorporating Natural Wonders

More and more, people are looking beyond their frosted window panes for Yuletide inspiration, say Southern designers. “I’m leaning into an old-world aesthetic for our Christmas decor,” says Lousiville, Kentucky, decorator Hannah Maple of hospitality-focused firm House of Maple. “I’ll be decking our halls with loads of natural elements—everything from linen, to live garland, oranges, cranberries, and pine cones.” Keith Meacham, founder and curator of Nashville home goods store Reed Smythe & Company, also likes including organic trimmings, relying on fresh fruits to set the overall tone. “I love to nestle (or wire) persimmon, plums, lady apples, and lemons in the garland on my stairwell and on my mantle,” says the shop owner. “There’s also something beautiful about using pink and peach roses mixed in with traditional fir and other evergreens and red berries.” Woodland-themed products, like those made by artist Nathalie Lété, are another way to try this trend, says Atlanta designer Laura W. Jenkins—plus they don’t require foraging in the backyard.

Committing To The Classics

“I really love a true traditional Christmas look,” says Dallas decorator Lisa Henderson. “It’s one that never goes in and out of style, and I love the way it makes my house feel during the holidays. I’ve created traditions with my children each year that everyone looks forward to, from putting out our handmade German Christmas scenes and a new nutcracker for our collection each year to hanging needlepoint ornaments and felt stockings. Classic Christmas is everything the holidays should be—cozy, warm, inviting, and comforting.”

Toying With A Not-So-Traditional Color Scheme

While red and green are considered mainstays for holiday-decorating purists, other designers are increasingly excited about expanding the season’s palette. “For the past couple years, I have been seeing blue become more and more of a prominent Christmas color and I love it,” says Sarah Moore of Birmingham, Alabama, studio Sarah Catherine Design. “I think dark to medium blues—and even at times lighter blues—pair really well with a more monochromatic palette (Think golds, silvers, creams, etc.). Typically if we are going to incorporate blues into tree or mantel trimmings or wrapping, I would steer away from using any red or green, and let blue be the main color!” Maple agrees with the shift in shades. In her home, she’s referencing a more European look with an “unusual ‘antiqued’ color palette of eggplant purple, dark crimson red, burnt orange, and gray-hued greens.”

Adding Merry Flair To Surprising Places

“I think decorating unexpected rooms for the holidays will be something we see this year,” says St. Louis, Missouri, designer Amy Studebaker. “Adding festive decor to a kitchen, for example, would be fabulous! Oranges mixed with layers of garland hanging on kitchen chandeliers or down the center of breakfast tables would bring such a special touch!”

Highlighting Retro Finds

“I love collecting vintage glass ornaments to use in decorating the house for the holidays. Any shape but balls are a great place to start,” says Jenkins. “They look great placed in a bowl for a centerpiece on your table or as an accent on any table top. And if using them in groupings, the more the merrier!” Catonsville, Maryland, designer Laura Hodges likes that they lend a more curated, sentimental bent to the seasonal trimmings: “Vintage and handed-down items help to make the holiday decorating feel collected and treasured over time.”

Layering In A Festive Fragrance

“I always choose a holiday scent,” says Javier Burkle of Burkle Creative in Dallas. “I add an evergreen scent throughout my home. This extra attention to detail creates a memorable atmosphere for the senses for homeowners and guests alike.”

Outfitting Guest Rooms With Christmas Spirit

“Filling your guest bedroom with holiday touches would bring cheer to anyone staying with you during the season,” says Studebaker. “Adding a small tree with something as simple as white lights and a velvet ribbon topper or wreaths on the windows would provide fabulous layers!”

Presenting Gifts In A More Sustainable Way

“I love using remnant fabrics for gift wrap [inspired by the Japanese practice of using furoshiki, traditional wrapping cloths],” says Hodges. “It’s beautiful and can be reused by the gift recipient. Anything from cotton plaids and tweeds to soft velvets and linens can be perfect for creating a gorgeous gift, along with natural fabric ribbons and dried orange slices or flowers.”