11 Chic Christmas Tree Decorating Ideas, From a Denim-Inspired Palette to Ornament-Free Elegance
Tis the season to get inspired by these AD-favorite holiday designs
A Christmas tree is the ultimate holiday centerpiece. This curated collection of designer-approved Christmas tree decorating ideas includes a little bit of everything; we’re talking unexpected color schemes, whimsical Christmas tree toppers and playful ornaments, decorated Christmas trees that embrace the maximalist “more is more” mantra, and minimalist trees that prioritize atmosphere over adornment. Whether you have a fresh, flocked, tabletop, or artificial tree, these holiday decor trends offer an elevated approach to decking your halls. The best Christmas trees are the ones that tell a story—your story—and here’s a little designer inspiration to help you get started.
Photo: Alison Gootee1/11Use oversized bows for a dramatic effect
“Bows are such a classic, but including them on a tree in a dramatic scale is what makes something traditional feel unexpected and even a bit whimsical,” says Amy Studebaker of Amy Studebaker Design. She approaches Christmas tree decorating the same way she approaches designing a home: ”With a fresh take on traditional, layers and layers of charm, and a little sprinkle of the unexpected.” For a fun and festive look, replace a traditional tree topper with a large bow and adorn branches with smaller, coordinating bows.
Photo: Madeline Harper2/11Lean into unexpected yet sophisticated browns
Brown has become the neutral this season, adding cozy sophistication to interiors and now, to holiday decor. Anastasia Casey of The Interior Collective loves the color for its warmth and versatility, and used it as the primary color on this tree. “I layered matte and metallic brown ornaments with neutrals—think muddy hues of bone, chocolate, and champagne—to create depth and avoid a flat look,” Casey shares. While the metallics catch light, the browns ground the palette, resulting in a tree that Casey says is both elevated and inviting.
Photo: Madeline Harper3/11Add charm with whimsical Christmas ornaments
To add charm and a touch of whimsy to a Christmas tree, Anastasia Casey of The Interior Collective looks for ornaments that feel collected and tell a story, whether they’re vintage finds, handmade pieces, or unique shapes. “In order to make it feel cohesive, I recommend mixing textures and scales, like pairing glass baubles with fabric or wood. It brings a sense of personality and keeps the tree from feeling too uniform,” she shares. Casey also loves incorporating dynamic elements like ribbon or bells to add movement and playfulness.
Photo: Brian Bieder4/11Let the Christmas tree echo the room’s color palette
For her family study, Maggie Griffin of Maggie Griffin Design, knew a cozy tree would fit the bill. “The room's color palette is warm and cozy with a little bit of moodiness, and I wanted the tree to reflect that tone,” Griffin shares. It’s decorated with rustic wood ornaments, white twinkle lights, and shiny metallic baubles to add sparkle without introducing too much color. As for the wrapped gifts, Griffin says, “To coordinate with the space, I chose more masculine wrapping paper in earthy tones of green, brown, and umber.”
Photo: Caroline Sharpnack5/11Decorate a tabletop tree with nostalgic ribbon and candlelight
For designer Lauren Sullivan of Well x Design, decorating a tabletop tree is all about restraint— focusing on texture, proportion, and light rather than excess. “I wanted this one to feel nostalgic but quietly elevated, so I kept to a simple palette of red velvet ribbon and candlelight,” Sullivan shares. The traditional Christmas ribbons add movement and a classic feel, while the candles create a soft, romantic glow. “The effect is warm and familiar—festive, but not fussy,” Sullivan concludes.
Photo: Buff Strickland6/11Pair a white Christmas tree with soft pastels
Interior designer Bambi A’Lynn Bratton of Bambi A’Lynn Interior Design loves decorating a white Christmas tree with soft pastels. “My go-to ornaments are midcentury satin balls with bows and ribbons for softness, and Christopher Radko or German glass ornaments for sparkle,” she shares. The designer suggests tucking large glass ornaments into the branches to add depth and scattering matching ones throughout the tree to tie everything together.
Photo: Mary Pat Collins7/11Put a modern spin on a classic Christmas color scheme
This beautiful tree designed by Kristen Bonney-James of KBJ Interiors puts an updated spin on classic red. “I wanted something richer, so I opted for a deep burgundy color story mixed with silver, gold, and white,” the designer says. When decorating with ribbons, she recommends letting ribbons cascade diagonally from top to bottom instead of tightly circling the tree. “This method creates movement and feels more elegant,” she says. Another pro tip? “Select a ribbon that is wrapped in wire so it keeps its shape.”
Photo: Caitlin Leys8/11Add a pop of classic holiday red to a flocked Christmas tree
Nothing says Merry Christmas like classic red accents. To decorate this playroom for the holidays, Shelby Van Daley of Daley Home went with a festive “more is more” tree design. “We selected a flocked pine—a tree with an artificial snow dusting—that is very soft and added cream antique sleigh bells, three-inch gingham ribbon in red and white, mercury glass ornaments, and berries that are flocked,” Van Daley says. To emphasize the tree’s softness, she tucked in extra flocked stems and sprigs, using larger ornaments for the base layer, then added textured ornaments and decorative sprigs in a circular spiral down the tree.
Photo: Caitlin Leys9/11Incorporate pale denim blues for softness
Van Daley also loves incorporating blues during the holidays. “Using blue on a Christmas tree is a wonderful way to add a visually appealing twist to your holiday decor,” she shares. Here, a denim blue-toned Christmas tree skirt and ribbon echo the furnishings and textiles in the room. “I love how the pale blues and greens make for a soft and inviting tree design,” Van Daley says.
Photo: Caroline Sharpnack10/11Skip the ornaments
If you’re looking for Christmas tree decorating ideas where atmosphere rather than adornment is the goal, Lauren Sullivan of Well x Design suggests using lights only. “A tree dressed solely in lights feels architectural—it celebrates shape and proportion instead of decoration,” Sullivan explains. When skipping ornaments, the designer recommends doubling or even tripling the number of light strands. “The extra depth of lighting adds dimension and a quiet, glowing presence that feels both minimal and luxurious.”
Photo: Nicole Bridwell11/11Opt for neutral decor for a layered tree design that doesn’t feel loud
When styling this room for the holidays, Jessica Whitley of Jessica Whitley Studio wanted the home decor to feel serene and intentional. “I chose a soft palate with creamy whites, warm taupes, and touches of metallic, giving it a layered feel without being loud,” Whitley shares. The tree was inspired by natural textures and hand-blown glass ornaments that give a reflective shimmer. “I deconstructed heavier garlands and bows to create a lighter, more natural look, draping the materials the way you’d layer jewelry,” the designer explains.
Frequently asked questions
What is the correct order to decorate a Christmas tree?
The first thing in Griffin’s step-by-step approach is adding twinkle lights to the tree, then tucking in larger ornaments. “Next, I add the smaller decorative ornaments, and finally, I add the tinsel or bows on the edges of the tree limbs,” Griffin shares. Studebaker says you should have fun with decorating and not take the process too seriously; “It can still be sophisticated, but it should absolutely be a happy and playful process along the way,” the designer says.
What are the most popular Christmas tree decorations?
Designers say German glass ornaments, Christopher Radko ornaments, cascading ribbon, festive bows, and warm white lights are among the most popular Christmas tree decorations. Metallic decorations, whether gold, silver, or copper, are another favorite. “I love decorating with metallic ornaments because they reflect the light so beautifully,” Bonney-James shares.
What is a timeless Christmas theme?
For Bonney-James, a timeless Christmas theme includes a fresh tree. “I’ll trade messy needles for an aromatic, nostalgic experience any day,” she says. Another must-have are warm white lights, which is why she recommends checking the temperature of LED lights to make sure they don’t appear blue. The addition of silver, gold, and white decorations completes the timeless look and adds festive shine.
