Non-traditional Holiday Decorating Ideas

Deck the halls with boughs of…well, what if you’re a little bit sick of holly, OK?! Maybe you’re only a few weeks into the holiday season and are already feeling red-and-green sensory overload. Maybe you consider it an interior design challenge to find alternative festive décor. Or maybe, you’re looking to save a few bucks on your holiday decorating budget 😅. No matter the reason, I’ve got plenty of ideas for how to design your own winter wonderland — without relying solely on red and green décor.

Go Neutral

One easy way to sprinkle some seasonal glamour into your home without shouting EVERY DAY IS CHRISTMAS DAY IN THIS HOUSE!!!!! is to add some neutral, yet wintry design elements into your décor. Complement neutrally-toned touches like my Charleston beige Ikat rug, Tomi gray throw blanket and Eden ivory faux fur pillow with natural, winter-themed accents like (carefully placed!) pinecones, evergreen branches, berries, and Birch logs — you can even eschew a traditional Christmas tree and try adding twinkling fairy lights to a birch tree for a subdued-yet-seasonal glow!

While the color palette may be muted and mellow, the combination of textures will give your home a luxe-looking, ski chalet-esque quality (pass the hot cocoa!). Bonus: for those of us who dread taking down holiday décor, this look is built to last well into January and February!

Have a Blue Christmas

It’s not just an Elvis tune — you can have a blue Christmas (with none of the heartache!!) by incorporating different shades of cool blues, grays, and silvers into your holiday decorating palette (this also works well if you’re celebrating Chanukah!).

To start, pair my Playday sectional (which comes with blue accent pillows!) with some festive gray and silver accents, like my Shaggy gray throw blanket. Want to dial things up a bit? Add some glitz and glam to your holiday by installing my Glamour mirrored electric fireplace and TV stand — and you can enjoy your favorite holiday movies by the warmth of a no-fuss electric fire. Add a tree with blue and silver ornaments, and voilà — your living room has become a soothing, stylish seasonal paradise.

Commit to a Color 

If you don’t want to give up on red and green altogether (this is your holiday decorating vision, after all!), why not go monochromatic and choose one color to lead the charge.  Pair a neutral piece like my Modern Farmhouse beige sofa or Elm dining set with red or green décor items for a sophisticated seasonal look — or, if you want to make a bold statement, explore a red or green accent piece like my Porsha red velvet tufted bench or Bettie avocado sofa.

And don’t be afraid to explore beyond the brightest shades of red and green — adding a muted piece like my Teller red oriental rug or Cosmopolitan black and emerald dining set can subtly signal the season in style. 

And whatever you decide to do, remember that there’s only one real rule to holiday decorating: have fun! I can’t wait to see your designs come to life this season!