O come let us adorn homes: Festive trends
Have yourself a cosy little Christmas with snug colours and on-point accessories
Winter weather means spending a lot more time cosied up at home, so it’s only natural to have the urge to make your space feel extra warm and inviting – and with a new year just around the corner you might be thinking about making some interior design changes, too.
To help you make the most of your space, whether with big upgrades or a few festive touches, we speak to Claire Gray, homewares buyer at Sterling Home, to get her expert advice on everything from trimming your tree to this year’s must-have seasonal shades.
Getting started
Tackling a new design project can be daunting, particularly if you don’t have a clear vision for your space. Before you begin picking paint and throwing away accessories, Gray recommends putting your ideas down on paper – or a virtual notebook, at least.
“Starting to plan the look for a room is different for everyone,” she explained. “I have redecorated rooms based on a rug, an ornament or even just a colour that I like! However, mood boarding is always helpful, and I often use Pinterest to pull together ideas when decorating. Instagram is also good for inspiration as people share lots of great ideas and tips.”
Budget or blow out?
Money is always a concern, even more so with the cost of living crisis. So, is it possible to upgrade your home without spending a fortune?
“I would recommend only spending what you can afford – you really don’t need to spend a lot of money to achieve a fresh look,” explained Gray. “I always try to upcycle and renovate as much as possible and then only spend on essential items to finish the space. Sometimes, one statement piece like a coffee table or floor lamp can change the look of a whole room so it’s worth investing in those bigger items.”
Seasonal colours
In the fashion industry, trends change very quickly, with styles, colours and fits “in” one season and “out” the next. Thankfully, interior design is a little slower to adapt so you won’t have to switch wallpaper, flooring and soft furnishings too often. However, that’s not to say you can’t update and upgrade your space with trending colours.
For the colder months and beyond, Gray recommends warming colours, which will not only look great for the festive season but keep your space cosy for months to come.
She explained: “There is a move away from all shades of grey towards warmer, more neutral tones, which helps to create welcoming spaces. Ideal for creating cosy and cocooning spaces for the winter months, on-trend earthy, stone tones work well with shades of green and burnt orange, which can be introduced as a highlight colour through cushions and other soft furnishings. And for Christmas, coppers and bronze can be added
to make your rooms look more festive. The monochrome look is also big.
“We are seeing a warmer take on classic black and white interiors, so instead of true black, expect slate and charcoal greys and everything from off-white to heritage cream rather than pure white as a contrast. If you have a grey living room, update it with some monochrome accessories.”
And for Christmas decorations?
“As always, metallics will be popular alongside the traditional red, green and gold,” said Gray. “However, this year, we have a lovely range of dark blue decorations which look stunning, especially when paired with gold.”
Trimming the tree
You may be considering bigger room updates in 2023 but before then decorating your home will, of course, centre around the Christmas tree. Gray opts for a real tree each year, while this season’s best accessories are baubles.“i will be investing in a couple of timeless glass baubles,” she said. “I tend to add a couple of baubles to my collection each year and I will also be purchasing some novelty baubles for friends.
“I always think baubles are nice to receive as a gift and they make a great Secret Santa present, too.”
If you don’t have space for a tree, real or artificial, there’s lots of ways you can still add a little sparkle and shine to small spaces.
“I always like eucalyptus stems at Christmas. Alongside a mix of faux or real foliage, you can make a lovely festive display in vases.
“What’s more, fairy lights instantly make anything look more festive. Try combining your lights with a garland to drape across the fireplace, or fill glass vases with some twinkling LEDS. Candles also create a festive feel to any room, and I often use them in my fireplace to create a ‘coorie’ feeling. We also have some lovely alternative festive decorations, including mercury glass votives and advent tealight holders, which are all great if you’re not opting for a tree.”
Top tablescaping
If you’re hoping to turn your Christmas dinner table into a tablescape fit for a feast, Gray recommends keeping the decoration to a minimum.
She said: “I keep my table quite simple and traditional with a white porcelain dinner set, Portmeirion festive coasters and placemats. I will, however, be creating a centrepiece this year using some fabulous, twisted dinner candles from Broste in vintage candle holders with some holly and berries picked from my parent’s garden. My Christmas crackers will be from Sterling’s eco range, which feature plastic free gifts and can be recycled afterwards.”