Holiday Decor Tips to Match Your Home's Signature Style
What’s your home’s signature style?
Each of our homes has its own signature style, decorated in the colours we like, the things we care about, and items with sentimental value. Even if you didn’t plan and decorate your home with a specific interior design style in mind, there’s a good chance that your tastes lean toward one more than the others. Check out the descriptions of the following 12 interior design styles, and figure out which one aligns most closely with your home. Then take the holiday decor tips for a spin to make your home spectacular for the holiday.
1. Art Deco
Art Deco is an elegant and glamorous interior design style that emerged in the 1920s and 1930s. It's characterized by bold, geometric shapes, lavish materials like glass and chrome, and intricate detailing. Art Deco interiors typically feature symmetrical patterns and a strong sense of luxury. This style combines modern and traditional elements, resulting in a visually striking and sophisticated aesthetic.
For an Art Deco-inspired holiday decor, focus on elegance and opulence. Incorporate metallic ornaments, such as gold and silver, and geometrically shaped decorations. Use a rich colour palette with black, white, and bold jewel tones. If you have a Christmas tree, decorate it with strands of pearls, mirrored ornaments, and glamorous glass baubles. Add some vintage-inspired elements, like beaded garlands and art deco motifs, to capture the style's essence.
2. Bohemian
Bohemian interior design is all about a free-spirited and eclectic approach. It embraces a mix of colours, patterns, and textures, often drawing inspiration from various cultures and eras. Bohemian spaces are characterized by a relaxed, laid-back vibe with an emphasis on natural materials, such as wood and textiles. It's a style that encourages creativity and self-expression, making it perfect for those who appreciate a boho-chic, unconventional look.
For a Bohemian holiday look, embrace the eclectic and free-spirited vibe. Mix and match various ornaments, colours, and textures. Use bright, vibrant hues and patterns that reflect your personality. Hang strings of colourful lights and create a cozy, layered atmosphere with throw blankets and pillows. Incorporate natural elements like feathers, macramé, and handmade decorations for a relaxed, boho-chic holiday setting.
3. Coastal
Coastal interior design is inspired by the ocean and beach living. It features a soothing colour palette dominated by shades of blue and white, with touches of sandy neutrals. Coastal interiors often incorporate natural materials like driftwood, seashells, and woven textiles. Furniture is usually comfortable and relaxed, with a focus on creating a tranquil atmosphere that evokes the serenity of coastal living.
Create a coastal holiday ambiance with beach-inspired decor. Use a colour palette of ocean blues, sandy neutrals, and white. Decorate with seashell ornaments, nautical rope accents, and miniature lighthouses. Incorporate beachcombing finds like driftwood and coral into your table centrepieces. Add some coastal-inspired wreaths with starfish and seashells to complete the look.
4. Contemporary
Contemporary design is characterized by clean lines, minimalism, and a sense of simplicity—but it is constantly evolving. This style often features neutral colour palettes with bold pops of colour and emphasizes open spaces and natural light. Furniture in contemporary interiors tends to be sleek and functional, emphasizing the use of modern materials like glass, metal, and concrete. It's a style that stays current with the latest design trends and is always getting an update.
For a contemporary holiday look, keep it sleek and minimal. Stick to a monochromatic colour scheme with pops of bold, bright hues. Choose simple, modern ornaments with clean lines and geometric shapes. Opt for a slim, minimalist tree or even consider an alternative tree like a metal or wall-mounted one. Use modern LED lights to create a clean, well-lit ambiance.
5. Country
Country interior design is cozy and warm, drawing inspiration from rural life. It features rustic elements like wood beams, handcrafted furniture, and a warm colour palette with soft, muted tones. This style creates a welcoming and down-to-earth atmosphere, often featuring vintage and handmade items. Country design celebrates tradition and nostalgia, making it a comforting and charming choice for homes.
Capture the warmth of a country-style holiday with cozy, rustic decor. Embrace a colour palette of reds, greens, and earthy tones. Decorate with handmade ornaments, like knitted stockings and wooden decorations. Incorporate plaid and gingham patterns for a cozy, traditional feel. Use natural elements like pinecones, twine, and burlap to add a touch of rustic charm.
6. Eclectic
Eclectic design is all about mixing and matching different styles, eras, and materials to create a unique and personalized look. It often incorporates a diverse range of colours, patterns, and textures. The key to eclectic design is finding harmony in the juxtaposition of contrasting elements, resulting in a vibrant, visually stimulating, and one-of-a-kind interior.
For an eclectic holiday look, mix and match a diverse range of holiday decorations, representing various styles and eras. Don't be afraid to combine different colours, patterns, and textures. Hang ornaments with sentimental value, vintage finds, and unique, quirky pieces. The key is to create a personalized, one-of-a-kind holiday display that reflects your unique taste.
7. Industrial
Industrial design draws inspiration from warehouses and factories, featuring raw, unfinished materials like exposed brick, steel, and concrete. It often embraces a utilitarian aesthetic with open spaces and high ceilings, incorporating industrial-style pendant lights to achieve an urban feel. Furniture in industrial interiors is typically functional and minimalist. This style combines a sense of ruggedness with a modern edge, creating a distinctive look.
Industrial-style holiday decor can be edgy and unique. Incorporate raw and minimalist elements with a colour palette of grays, blacks, and metallics. Use exposed light bulbs and steel ornaments to achieve an industrial vibe. Consider repurposing industrial objects as holiday decorations, like using old gears or pipes. Add some greenery to soften the industrial aesthetic and create a balanced look.
8. Mediterranean
Mediterranean interior design is inspired by the coastal regions of Southern Europe. It features warm, earthy colours, textured walls, and rustic elements like terracotta tiles and wrought iron. Mediterranean interiors often include arched doorways, decorative tiling, and an abundance of natural light. This style evokes a sense of relaxation and is characterized by a fusion of European and North African influences.
Mediterranean holiday decor reflects the warm and rustic beauty of Southern Europe. Use a colour palette inspired by the Mediterranean Sea, featuring blues, whites, and earthy tones. Decorate with handmade pottery, terracotta ornaments, and Mediterranean-inspired tile patterns. Incorporate olive branches, citrus fruits, and aromatic herbs into your decor to infuse the holiday setting with Mediterranean charm.
9. Modern
Modern design is sleek, clean, and characterized by a focus on simplicity and functionality. It emphasizes the use of uncluttered spaces, neutral colour palettes, and a lack of excessive ornamentation. Furniture in modern interiors is typically low-profile and often incorporates innovative materials. This style reflects a sense of timelessness and prioritizes form and function.
Modern holiday decor is all about simplicity and minimalism. Stick to a neutral colour palette with touches of metallics. Choose sleek and geometric ornaments, and consider a slim, flocked tree or a minimalist wreath. Emphasize clean lines and uncluttered spaces to create a sophisticated, contemporary holiday look.
10. Shabby Chic
Shabby Chic is a romantic and vintage-inspired interior design style. It combines elegant and reclaimed furniture with a soft, pastel colour palette. Distressed finishes, floral patterns, and antique accessories are common in Shabby Chic interiors. The result is a charming and feminine atmosphere that exudes a sense of time-worn beauty and casual elegance.
For a Shabby Chic holiday decor, focus on creating a romantic and vintage-inspired atmosphere. Use a soft pastel colour palette with white, pink, and pastel blues. Decorate with distressed, antique-inspired ornaments, lace, and delicate floral patterns. Incorporate vintage ornaments and charming, weathered decor items to add a touch of nostalgia and femininity to your holiday setting.
11. Southwestern
Southwestern design is inspired by the American Southwest, featuring warm desert colours, Native American patterns, and materials like adobe and clay. It often includes natural elements like wooden beams and leather furniture. Southwestern interiors create a warm and earthy atmosphere that celebrates the cultural heritage and natural beauty of the region.
To capture a Southwestern holiday vibe, embrace the warm and earthy colours of the desert. Use a colour palette of terracotta, deep reds, and turquoise, and decorate with Native American-made ornaments and tribal patterns. For greenery, incorporate cacti and succulents. Add rustic elements like leather, wooden decor, and clay pottery to create a cozy and inviting holiday atmosphere with a touch of the American Southwest.
12. Traditional
Traditional interior design is classic and timeless, drawing inspiration from various historical periods. It features rich, deep colours, ornate detailing, and elegant furnishings. Traditional interiors often include antique or reproduction furniture, patterned textiles, and refined finishes. This style exudes a sense of formality and sophistication, making it a popular choice for more traditional and elegant homes.
Traditional holiday decor is classic and timeless. Use a rich and warm colour palette with deep reds, greens, and gold. Decorate with elegant and ornate ornaments, such as glass baubles and delicate figurines. Incorporate festive wreaths, garlands, and twinkling fairy lights. Add traditional elements like nutcrackers, angels, and classic stockings for a timeless and refined holiday look.
Decorate with your signature style in mind
Your home's signature style plays a significant role in defining the ambiance and atmosphere of your living space. Whether you find yourself gravitating towards the elegance of Art Deco, the free-spirited nature of Bohemian, or the tranquillity of Coastal design, your interior design choices reflect your personal tastes and preferences. Your home is a canvas for self-expression and creativity, and it's a place where you can infuse your unique personality.
As you prepare to celebrate the holidays, consider how your home's style can be harnessed to enhance the holiday experience. Incorporate the design tips provided for your specific style to make it a memorable and visually appealing event. Whether you embrace simplicity, elegance, or eclecticism, there are endless possibilities to make your home spectacular. By aligning your holiday decor with your home's signature style, you can ensure that your guests are not only treated to an immersive and visually captivating experience that reflects who you are.
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