Style-First Holiday Decorating Tips
Holiday decorating can feel like a high-stakes glitter bomb just waiting to happen. One minute you’re unboxing ornaments, the next you’re wondering why your living room looks like the seasonal aisle at a big box store. At Lisa Gilmore Design, we’re here to say: you don’t have to choose between festive and fabulous. Your home can celebrate the holidays and keep its signature style intact.
Holiday Decorating Ideas to Match Your Home Personality
Instead of fighting your home’s personality, let it guide your holiday decorating. Whether you’re drawn to the sleek lines of mid-century modern, the breezy palette of coastal design, or the bold drama of a maximalist space, your holiday look can feel like an extension of your everyday aesthetic with just enough sparkle to make it feel special. We’ve pulled together our best tips to help you make your home merry, bright, and unmistakably you.
Maximalist Holiday Decorating
Go big. Go bold. Go glitter-bombed.
Your home is already a party - let the holidays turn it into a spectacle. Jewel-toned ornaments, velvet ribbon, disco ball garlands, and unapologetically oversized everything belong here. Mix metals, layer patterns, and don’t you dare hold back.
Decor Tip: Use your existing color palette as the springboard. If your home is full of emerald green and fuchsia, carry that into your tree, mantel, and even gift wrap for a look that’s over-the-top in the best way.
photo: Adobe Stock
Coastal Home for the Holidays
Think less kitsch, more cabana chic.
A coastal-inspired home doesn’t need to trade shells for snowflakes to feel festive. Stick to sandy neutrals, sea-glass blues, breezy whites, and maybe a pop of coral. Add texture with rope garlands, linen stockings, and ornaments in driftwood and glass.
Decor Tip: Skip the red and green and let the beachy palette shine. If your space already leans into light woods, rattan, or tropical patterns, keep holiday decor in the same sun-washed family for a relaxed yet refined look.
Mid-Century Modern Holiday Decorating
Retro charm, reimagined for the holidays.
Let your holiday decorating take a cue from the clean lines, punchy palettes, and vintage flair of mid-century design. Think brass candleholders, atomic starbursts, geometric garlands, and ceramic trees in mod hues. Even your bar cart deserves a little sparkle.
Mid-Century Holiday Decor Inspiration | Adobe Stock
Decor Tip: Lean into warm wood tones, matte finishes, and a curated color scheme, like orange and gold, or teal and white, for a festive look that still feels true to your home’s roots.
Deck the Halls of Your Traditional Home
Timeless meets twinkle.
If your home leans classic - arched windows, rich wood, crown molding - there’s no need to reinvent the (garland-wrapped) wheel. Embrace a nostalgic take on holiday decorating with tartan plaids, fresh greenery, brass bells, and candles galore. It’s elegance with a dash of Norman Rockwell charm.
Traditional Holiday Decor | Adobe Stock
Decor Tip: Layer textures like velvet and wool for cozy luxury. Hang garlands over built-ins or doorways, and use real greenery whenever possible - it smells as good as it looks.
FAQs: Holiday Decorating, LGD Style
1. How can I make my holiday décor match my home’s aesthetic?
The secret to cohesive holiday decorating? Start with what you already love. Your year-round color palette and textures are your north star. If your space is filled with warm brass, soft blush tones, or moody jewel hues, echo those in your holiday trimmings - think velvet ribbons in coordinating colors, metallic ornaments that match your lighting, or gift wrap that complements your pillows (yes, really).
For minimalist homes, lean into intentionality. A few well-placed pieces - like a sculptural tree, monochromatic garland, or a single wreath - can speak volumes without overwhelming. Maximalists, on the other hand, can layer on the sparkle and pattern. It’s all about extending your style, not abandoning it for the season. Your holiday home should feel like a celebration of you, just with a little extra sparkle.
2. What if I don’t have room for a full tree?
No tree? No problem. Big style can shine in small spaces - you just need to get a little creative. Try a cluster of tabletop trees on your entry console or mantle (bonus points for mixing textures and heights). Drape garland above doorways, along shelves, or across a headboard for an unexpected twist.
A bowl of ornaments, a vase of foraged greenery, or even a string of twinkly lights along a mirror can channel festive vibes without sacrificing square footage. And if you’re really tight on space, a wall-mounted “tree” made from ribbon, postcards, or photos can be a charming (and conversation-starting) alternative. Small space, big joy. Always.
3. What is trending this year for Christmas decor?
This season’s holiday decorating is all about celebrating you - with nostalgia, sparkle, and soul. Expect rich jewel tones like deep burgundy, emerald, and midnight blue paired with soft metallics such as antique gold and rose copper. Vintage finds and heirloom‑style ornaments are having a major moment, as are layered textures (velvet ribbons, knits, natural greenery), and the return of “more is more” - it’s the year to go bold. Sustainability is also in the mix: reusable décor, handcrafted details, and natural elements like dried orange slices and pinecones are shaping up as must‑haves. Your holiday space should feel warm, collected, and unmistakably your style.
![I’m incredibly excited to be celebrating Lisa Gilmore Design’s 14th Anniversary! ✨🎉
Since 2011, we’ve been designing bespoke interiors that embody the essence of Liveable Glamour [live-able glam-er] /adjective, noun/: “where](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/52caf58ae4b0ed3995241941/1764607561895-ZCOI69WHBLM5L9XNIVO9/image-asset.jpeg)
No matter your home’s aesthetic, holiday decorating should feel like a celebration - not a chore. Let your space shine in a way that’s uniquely you.
And if you’re dreaming of a home that looks this good all year round, our team at Lisa Gilmore Design would love to help. Follow us on Instagram or inquire here to start creating a space that’s bold, beautiful, and brimming with personality.