Christmas Tree Decorating Ideas & Inspiration

Erin Haugerud
2 days ago
5 min read

The magic of the holidays isn’t just in the twinkle lights or the garland on the mantel — it’s in the way your home feels when everything comes together with intention.

A cohesive decorating theme doesn’t just make a space look beautiful; it creates a sense of calm, warmth, and celebration that carries through the entire season. Whether your style leans timeless and traditional, soft and natural, or rich and refined, choosing a clear direction allows your holiday home to feel elevated and effortless.

In this guide, we’ll walk through simple ways to create a holiday decorating theme you’ll love — one that reflects your personal style, feels beautifully pulled together, and sets the stage for meaningful gatherings all season long.

Holiday inspiration collage with wrapped gifts, candles, and winter decor in rich greens and reds. Text reads "Holiday Inspo Creating a theme."

EH Design's Holiday Inspiration Board

Every season at EH Design begins with a feeling — a quiet spark that guides every decision that follows. Before a single ornament is hung or a ribbon tied, we start with a design board that captures the emotion, texture, and story of the season ahead.

This year’s Holiday Inspiration Board has quickly captured hearts — it’s been shared by millions and growing on Pinterest and continues to inspire homes around the world.

Rooted in warmth and intention, it brings together soft neutrals, aged metallics, natural greenery, and that golden glow we lovingly call Amber Hour.

It’s a reflection of how we design: beginning with feeling, layering with purpose, and creating beauty that’s meant to be lived in.

🛍️ Shop the Look

Explore our curated holiday favorites — from velvet ribbons to glass ornaments and cozy tree skirts.👉 Shop our Holiday Picks on LTK & Amazon

Our Failproof Formula for a Beautifully Put-Together Holiday

Decorated Christmas tree with gold star on top, adorned with ribbons and ornaments. Wrapped gifts underneath. Bright room with two windows.

It’s a simple but powerful formula we return to again and again:

Start with a Theme – Choose a cohesive direction that guides every detail.
Layer Your Lighting – Build mood and depth through what we call Amber Hour.
Wrap Your Home in Texture – Add tactile warmth through fabrics, greenery, and finishes.
Make a Statement Tree – Anchor your home with a focal point that tells your story.

Follow these four steps and your holiday décor will always feel beautifully pulled together — collected, intentional, and uniquely yours.

Start with a Theme ✨

Choosing a cohesive theme sets the tone for your entire holiday home. Whether your style leans toward timeless elegance or a more modern, playful aesthetic, focusing on a few key elements and colors allows your décor to feel beautifully intentional — pulled together without feeling overdone.

A well-chosen theme becomes the quiet thread that connects each room, creating a warm and welcoming atmosphere.

Cozy living room with a lit fireplace. White stockings hang on a decorated mantel with green garland. Soft lighting and warm ambiance.

Theme Ideas to Inspire Your Home

Classic Winter Wonderland

A palette of crisp whites, soft metallics, and shimmering silver brings the quiet magic of a snowy landscape indoors. Layer airy fabrics, delicate ornaments, and twinkling lights to create a serene, elevated look. Add fresh greenery to warm the space and keep it timeless.

Cozy Charm

Ground your holiday décor in warm neutrals — soft browns, deep greens, and brushed golds. Natural textures, wood tones, and simple greenery evoke the warmth of a quiet cabin evening, wrapping your home in a welcoming, lived-in charm.

Rich Tones & Metallic Accents

For a bolder statement, lean into jewel tones like emerald and sapphire, paired with velvet textures and luminous metallics. This palette creates a luxurious, moody ambiance that feels both elegant and unforgettable.

Cream stockings with blue bows hang under a festive garland on a shelf. Candles, books, and a small tree decorate the top, creating a cozy vibe.

Layering Lighting for a Cozy Glow ✨

(The Amber Hour Effect)

Lighting is one of the most powerful ways to shape the mood of your home during the holidays. As the sun sets and the season’s golden glow drifts in, your lighting should feel soft, layered, and inviting — what we like to call Amber Hour.

Think of it as wrapping your home in warmth. A thoughtful mix of overhead lighting, accent lamps, and ambient touches creates depth, dimension, and that magical, quiet feeling we all love this time of year.

Twinkle lights woven through mantels, garlands, or draped around windows add an ethereal sparkle that instantly elevates your holiday look.✨

Pro Tip: If you want more twinkle lights, add a strand or two for an extra layer of magic.

Candles grouped in varying heights on tables or inside fireplaces cast a flickering, romantic glow that makes every corner feel intentional and intimate.
Accent lamps double as decorative pieces, enhancing the elegance of your holiday décor while bathing the room in a soft, golden hue.

When layered thoughtfully, lighting doesn’t just illuminate your space — it sets the mood, anchors your décor, and creates those unforgettable, heart-warming moments.

A decorated Christmas tree with ribbons, lights, and ornaments. Presents in blue wrapping are underneath. Warm, festive atmosphere.

Wrap Your Home in Texture 🪴

One of the simplest ways to make your home feel warm and inviting during the holidays is through rich, layered textures.

Think beyond blankets and throws — texture can live in every corner of your space, bringing depth and quiet luxury to the season.

Layer soft textiles on sofas and accent chairs, incorporate tactile materials on walls or furniture, and add woven or natural elements to balance out shine and sparkle. Velvet, linen, wool, boucle, and natural woods are beautiful ways to create a collected, intentional look that still feels cozy.

Use texture with purpose — not just as an accent, but as a design element that grounds your holiday décor and makes every space feel warm, lived in, and ready for gathering.

Cozy living room with a beige sofa draped with a tree-patterned blanket, and a lit Christmas tree glowing warmly in the background.

Luxe Layers & Finishing Touches ✨

Holiday decorating isn’t just about the big moments — it’s the small, thoughtful details that make a space feel truly special. Incorporating rich, tactile materials is an easy way to bring warmth, elegance, and a hint of indulgence into your home.

Plush Velvet - Swap out everyday pillows for deep, jewel-toned velvet to instantly bring in a holiday vibe. The soft sheen adds warmth and a touch of understated luxury, making any room feel elevated and inviting.

Faux Fur - Drape faux fur throws over sofas, armchairs, or even across the foot of a bed to create a cozy winter retreat. This simple layer adds both visual texture and a sense of quiet sophistication.

Luxe Ribbon - Layering different ribbon textures — satin, silk, and velvet — can transform the simplest wreath or garland. Whether woven through greenery, tied around wrapped gifts, or used as an accent on stair rails, ribbon brings depth, softness, and a subtle nod to old-world holiday charm.

Hands adjust greenery on a decorated Christmas tree with ornaments, pine cones, and ribbon. Festive mood with gold, blue, and brown hues.

Statement Tree 🎄

Your tree is more than décor — it’s the heart of your holiday home. It sets the tone, anchors the room, and creates the kind of magic that draws everyone together.

Whether your style leans classic, cozy, or bold, don’t be afraid to make your tree a true statement piece that reflects your theme beautifully.

How to Style Your Tree Like a Designer

Start with the Right Base - Begin with a high-quality tree, real or artificial, that suits your space. A full, symmetrical shape creates a beautiful foundation for your design.✨

Pro Tip: Artificial trees often hold ornaments better than real ones — and make layering easier, too.

Ribbon & Garlands - Think of ribbon and garland as the first layer of your story. Use a mix of materials — silk, velvet, beads, or fresh greenery — to wrap the tree and build depth.✨ Pro Tip: Mix techniques like cascading ribbon, bows, or gentle spirals to create an ultra-custom, designer look.
Ornament Layering - To create that lush, layered effect, start with larger ornaments nestled inside the tree to build structure and depth. Then layer in medium and smaller ornaments, adding intricate pieces toward the outer branches.✨ Pro Tip: Oversized ornaments or natural elements like pinecones add instant dimension and a bit of unexpected charm.
Reflect the Light - Incorporate metallic or glass ornaments to catch and reflect the glow of your twinkle lights. This creates a soft, sparkling effect that makes the whole room feel like it’s glowing.

Decorated Christmas tree with gold and white ribbons, baubles, and lights. Cozy setting with a window backdrop and a blanket on a chair.

The Heart of the Holidays

At EH Design, we believe beauty is meant to be felt. During the holidays, that beauty comes alive in the quiet glow of the lights, the layers of warmth and texture, and the joy of gathering around something you’ve created with intention.