Christmas Home Decorating: ideas for themes
Although the festivities are still some weeks away, it is time to start thinking about decorating your home for Christmas. The most important element to consider is the decor theme, based on which you will be decorating the Christmas tree, the dining table, the windows etc.
Choosing the right Christmas decorating theme
Try not to follow the cliches. Think about a theme relating to winter or the holidays – and abstract it. Take inspiration from nature rather than overused commercialised ideas. Translate your theme into colors, textures, shapes & smells and make sure your decoration scheme is based on these. Don’t just buy all your decoration; try to make as much as possible yourself. If you have years of bits & pieces piling up in boxes – you don’t have to use everything just because you have them. Choose the ones that fit within your chosen theme or can be adapted with a little effort. Then add some newly purchased and self-made details. In this series of articles I’ll write about how to make your own Christmas decoration, but in the meantime let’s look at a few decorating themes that should start your imagination ticking…
Reminiscence
Color: red, green, brown, gold,
Material: dried twigs, cones, fruits, wood, wool, sheepskin,
Shape: natural
Smell: winter berries, burnt orange, cinnamon, clove, mulled wine
Read more about creating a traditional Christmas decorating theme!
Fairyland
Themes: Lapland, Santa & Friends, Fairies & angles, nativity
Materials: plastic, fibreglass, feather
Shapes: fairytale & fable characters
Smell: pine, nuts, winter fruits
Read more about the fun of the Fairyland decor theme
Timeless elegance
Color: pink, mauve, ivory, black, red, silver
Material: pearl, silk, satin, metal, mirror, glass
Shape: square, diamond,
Smell: jasmine, rose, vanilla, chocolate
Read more about Elegant Christmas decorating ideas
White Christmas
Color: white, silver, ice blue
Texture: fluffy, wool, frosted glass, feather
Shape: circle, crystal
Smell: snow, ocean, linen, vanilla
Read more about White Christmas decorating theme and how to create the look.
Winter wonderland
Colors: white, brown, grey
Materials: wood, stone twigs, cones, fruits, wood, wool, sheepskin
Shape: anything natural
Smell: woodland, berries, snow, frost
Read more about the winter wonderland theme
Starry nights
Color: transparent, semi-transparent, black, silver
Material: plastic, glass, silk, metal
Shape: cone, spike, stars
Smell: pine needles, acorns,
Read more about how to achieve the Starry nights decorating scheme
Designer chic
Colors: black & one other color
Material: plastic, glass, metal
Shape: retro rounded, circle, geometrical
Smell: green tea, stone, bamboo
Read more about the the Christmas decoration trend of 2005
When you’ve decided on your theme, you’re ready to get down to the details. Make sure that you base your theme on a maximum of three elements – i.e. three colors, three materials, three smells. Try to create a decorating scheme that can be either re-used or adapted in the future. Remember – whatever your chosen scheme might be, you’ll need a Christmas tree, lights and candles!
During the next few days I’ll put together a few Christmas decorating ideas for each of the above themes. If you have another idea for a theme please submit it below – I’ll try my best to elaborate further on how to achieve the look you want. Visit our forum for Christmas decorating tips.
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