Simple & Stylish Christmas Decor Ideas

By Amy Kilvington

Content Writer at Blinds Direct

Tue 11 Dec 2018

Last updated Mon 6 Jun 2022

No matter your budget, interior design tastes, or the time you have available, there are a number of simple and stylish ways to decorate your home this Christmas.

You needn’t spend a fortune, panic buy dozens of new decorations or go all out with the glitz and glamour. In fact, as is often true in the world of design, simple is best. This festive period, take a look at our easy elegant decorating suggestions, bringing warmth, style and subtle holiday spirit into your home. Read on to discover these simple and stylish Christmas decor ideas…

1. Styled up shelves

Much like the mantelpieces and bannisters in your home, shelves just beg for festive flourishes come December. These surfaces are ideal for decorating, even with just one or two subtle touches.

Use the opportunity to display ornaments, plants and candles, or if you want to make even more of a statement, a festive garland complete with seasonal flowers, bows and baubles. You could also swap out your prints and photographs for something a little more festive, like Christmas quotes, carol lyrics, or a photo of the family from last year.

If you have open shelving in your kitchen, consider a display of your favourite Christmassy mugs and crockery. This would make for the perfect hot chocolate station! In the bedroom, try a couple of Christmassy candles and tiny festive figures. And if you’re lucky enough to own a bar cart or a dedicated unit for your beverages and glassware, swap out the usual suspects for festive favourites. Add in a few sprigs of holly, ribbons and fairy lights to complete the look.

2. Handmade touches

While keen crafters will already be making the most of the festive period, Christmas is also a good time for amateur crafters to try their hand at something more creative.

Just like handmade gifts, handmade decorations demonstrate extra love, effort and individuality, perfect for a more personalised home. Even if you don’t consider yourself a crafting king or queen, there is plenty of inspiration available both online and in stores.

Of course, homemade doesn’t have to mean uneven or rough around the edges. The popularity of artisan style and up-cycling means there are plenty of good crafting materials available on the market, allowing you to create something high-end and stylised. Combined with natural elements, you can easily create handmade touches for unique, chic Christmas decor. Twine, beads and stencils are just some of the simple yet effective pieces that can be incorporated, along with dried flowers, berries and evergreen branches.

3. Think about the fragrance

Decor isn’t just about visual interest, but sounds, textures and smells. Fragrance is particularly impactful at Christmas time, whether that’s a scent of cinnamon, a whiff of orange, a scent of pine or a sniff of gingerbread. These festive smells immediately evoke memories of Christmases gone by, filling the room with warmth, sweetness and nostalgia.

Some simple and organic ways to bring festive fragrance into you home is through eucalyptus garlands, rosemary sprigs and natural wreaths finished with pine cones and dried fruit slices. A firm festive favourite is the smell of a Christmas tree, so if you don’t have a real tree and want to replicate the fragrance, try scent sticks or a spray.

Candles, diffusers and oil burners are another easy choice, along with Christmas pot pourri, complete with cinnamon sticks and citrus peel. Brewing up a batch of mulled wine is also fail-safe way to create a festive fragrance… a great excuse to enjoy a mug on a regular basis!

4. Jewel tones