How do interior designers decorate for Christmas? I asked the experts for their favorite festive trends they'll actually use in their own homes

There's no shortage of decorating inspiration to help us transform our homes into cozy winter wonderlands this year. Sure it is their job to advise and inspire us, but have you ever wondered what Christmas trends are interior designers choosing for their own homes this holiday season?

While I am very much of the opinion that Christmas decor is an entirely personal endeavor, something that conjures nostalgia and reflects your style, I do love to see what inventive Christmas trends pop up each year.

So to find out what designers truly think, I asked 8 holiday home experts to share the Christmas decorating ideas, colors, and trends they’ll be styling in their own homes this year. Whether it’s through a fresh take on traditional red and green or by incorporating unique heirloom pieces, here's everything they've given the green light on this year.

8 interior designer-approved festive trends to try this year

The Christmas decor trends you choose to take on each year will of course come down to your personal style and how you like your home to look and feel over the holidays.

And as with any interior design trend, the trick is to bring these trends into your home in a way that works with the decor you currently have. So rather than completely overhauling your holiday decor, I recommend embracing them in small, creative ways to help you update your tried-and-tested traditions.

So, if you are looking for inspiration for what trends to embrace this year, these are the styles designers are bringing into their homes to inspire you to try something a little different.

1. A softer, more muted palette

'While red & green are forever Christmas, I find myself leaning into more muted versions of my favorite colors – blues, greens, mauves & browns – to decorate for the Holidays this year,' says interior designer Melissa Oholendt, founder of Oho Interiors.

'I find this an easier approach to start slowly decorating in November by incorporating the decor I already have and making things more festive with the addition of greenery, ribbons, and candles before we're ready to put the tree up post-Thanksgiving,' she explains. This slower, softer approach to Christmas decorating allows you to transition in and out of the season with a muted color scheme that lends a calming, understated vibe to the holidays.

2. Going girly with bows

'I like the idea of taking a few cues from the fashion world with my holiday decor,' explains designer Kathy Kuo. Bows are making a delightful comeback in home and fashion and can add a playful, feminine touch to Christmas styling. Whimsical ribbons tied in bows are appearing on everything from Christmas trees to mantels, gifts, and even wreaths this year.

'I traveled to Paris last year and picked up some really beautiful silk and velvet bow ornaments for my tree; they look very similar to the demure ribbons and bows trend that's currently in vogue right now. It's a motif that might feel a little over the top for my regular home decor, but for the holidays, a little bit of extra feminine glamour feels very festive and fun!'

3. Adding pops of color with seasonal fruits

'I think the infusion of organic elements, like citrus, in Christmas decor is one of my favorite trends,' says designer Marie Flanigan. 'I love the pop of color that orange adds against the greenery. The holidays are always a beautiful time to celebrate nature and when I can add other beautiful touches whether it's cranberries or even seasonal flowers, it’s my preferred way to decorate for the season.'

You can buy bags of dried orange super cheap on Amazon but for a DIY Christmas decor idea, try making them yourself. Just slice up your fruit and lay them on a lined baking tray. Pop them in the oven at 275º F (140ºC, gas mark 1) and bake for around 2 hours. I did this last year with both apples and oranges and it worked a treat, and made for a nice festive activity too.

4. Collecting vintage ornaments

Melissa Oholendt also loves to decorate with vintage at Christmas time, a timeless 'trend' that adds real personality to your decor.

'A couple of years ago, I leaned hard into eBay and purchased my weight in vintage glass ornaments.

'I still find myself reaching for those cheerful and colorful ornaments first when it comes to decorating the tree as they add a burst of brightness to our Christmas tree and, from first-hand experience, look exceptionally great with a few dried citrus garlands tied on a baker's twine.'

5. Using taper candles to create a tall display

'I'm going to be decorating at least one of my eight Victorian mantles with a multitude of cone-shaped taper candles in varying colors and sizes. Sprinkled amongst some boxwood greenery, this could also be a fresh take on the traditional advent wreath.' suggests Bethany Adams.

Candles make for wonderful holiday decor, adding a cozy glow to any room. And you can make them work with whatever style Christmas decor you go for. I love Bethany's idea of creating a colorful display with lots of taper candles, but choose white candles and you can adapt the look to suit a more minimalist Christmas too.

6. A jewel toned color scheme

Jewel tones are a huge color trend right now, but they really do come into their own at Christmas. Rich reds and greens may be the traditional scheme but this year there's a trend for adding in touches of deep blue and warm yellow too.

'I love that people are playing more with non-traditional color palettes. This year I'm going for more blues, greens, mustards, and burgundys. It's the perfect way to really show your personality!' explains designer Emily Henderson.

7. Go rustic with Scandi-inspired decor

'I'm not sure this counts as 'trend' because it's honestly so timeless, but the Scandinavian Christmas look is definitely on the rise for the holiday season this year. Expect to see plenty of light wood candleholders, organically inspired wreaths, understated garlands of wooden beads and winterberries, and traditional Scandinavian folk art motifs,' adds Kathy Kuo.

This is such a classic approach to Christmas decor, and the Scandi trend does come back year after year. It's a super easy one to implement too as, as Kathy says, is all about the festive foliage. The more rustic the better. Get out in nature and see what evergreen you can salvage, and you can always mix it in with some faux greenery too if it needs a little help to look fuller.

8. Quiet luxury reigns supreme

The quiet luxury trend that's been going on since the start of the year is still here for the holiday season. It's all about subtle, warm color schemes, lots of candles, and soft lighting to create spaces that feel soft and magical.

'I like to keep it quite quiet, and very twinkly. I layer on elegant vintage-style glass and lots of magical candlelight. Use lamps, wall lights and lanterns rather than downlights, these work beautifully and add real coziness and fairy lights are particularly magical!' explains Chrissie Rucker, founder of The White Company.

'I love having the house full and filling it with freshly cut greenery and lots of scented candlelight you can never have too many candles - they always make a space so much more inviting. And create such a magical atmosphere.'

Holiday trends, like any trend, come and go year after year. Some stick and become classic, like the Scandi-style decor, and some are forgotten about. The key is to use these trends to give your current Christmas decor an update - you might bring in some jewel tones to your usual scheme this year or have a go at making your own dried oranges.