Deck the halls with our six festive styling tips for your home!
Welcome to the Gleeson Homes festive styling tips! As the snow is already making an appearance and Christmas is fast approaching, there’s no better time to transform your home into a cosy, magical retreat. Whether you’re hosting family gatherings, celebrating with friends, or simply enjoying the season’s charm, our expert tips will help you create a warm and inviting atmosphere!
We asked Sam Jones, our interior expert and Client Account Manager at Edward Thomas Interiors, for his top tips for the season. Having just led the festive takeover of the Poppy Fields show homes in Lincolnshire, Sam is ready to share his insights. Read on to discover his top tips for seasonal styling and the Christmas design trends to watch out for!
When adding decorations for festivities, it’s really a question of personal taste; you can opt for bright and bold, sophisticated and subtle, homemade, eclectic, the list goes on. The following styling tips can all be mixed and matched to suit your theme, and hopefully provide design inspiration to deck the halls (and the rest of home)!
1. Colour
“We all know about TikTok’s viral unexpected red theory but this colour is set to explode over Christmas and into 2025, with rich wine reds being shades to watch. The latest Pinterest report indicates a 600% increase in searches for ‘red Christmas trees’, hinting that those flashes of red are here to stay and a ‘maximalist’ tree could be the one to choose if you want to stay on trend.
See below, our Ambassador Kayley embracing this trend with spashes of red on her tree and cabinate garland!
“If red isn’t for you, then a strong mix of blues, greys, silver and black can create a wintry illusion. Not forgetting the timeless festive colours of green and gold.
2. Texture & Greenery
“The short days and dark nights leading up to Christmas make us all long for somewhere cosy to hibernate. Use styling to create richness and warmth in the home. What about reupholstering furniture with deeper fabrics like velvet or wool?
“It’s also important to maintain our connections with the nature so bring in seasonal greenery to create a truly festive atmosphere. Think ferns, moss, eucalyptus, winter berries and pine cones – check out the dining table in the Longford at Poppy Fields for inspiration!
3. Scent
“Home fragrances are one of the most impactful, and cost-effective ways, to create a Christmassy vibe. Who doesn’t love the smell of mulled wine or roasted chestnuts?! Pick candles, room sprays and reed diffusers with a spiced scent such as cinnamon, wild pine, vanilla, cedarwood or musk.
4. Continuity
“A common pitfall when decorating for Christmas is to create individually styled spaces. They look great on their own but don’t necessarily match as you move from room to room. Once you’ve chosen your colours and a theme, try to maintain these throughout the home. In the Keady show home at Poppy Fields, you’ll see how we’ve echoed the monochrome, gold and burnt orange from the home’s main interior design in the Christmas tree, dining table and even the gift wrapping!
5. Nostalgia
“Christmas is a time for tradition so it’s not surprising that nostalgia forms a big part of design. This year, expect to see more retro ornaments and decorations available, particularly in the shape of timeless Christmas objects like gingerbread houses, candy canes, stockings, and Nutcracker soldiers. Buy these from your local independent stockist, charity shop or you might even have some handed down through the family that can be repurposed.
“Another way to increase the nostalgia is to collect decorations from travels, or family traditions, that way you can relive memories as you unpack, and it ensures an entirely personal design! Check out our Ambassador Elise's favourite decoration, the 'National Lampoons Christmas Vacation Squirrel' which is from her families favourite Christmas movie!
6. Supersize!
“Supersized tree, indoor and outdoor decorations look set to be popular this Christmas. Check out the baubles on Longford show homes Christmas tree at Poppy Fields and you’ll see what I mean. If you’re supersizing your décor, our advice is to put the oversized items out first and build around them.” 
Our Ambassador Maddie has beautifully embraced this trend with a stunning oversized bow adorning her Christmas tree, check it out!
As you prepare your home for the festive season, remember that the best decorations are those that bring joy and reflect your personal style. Whether you’re adding a touch of sparkle, embracing traditional elements, or experimenting with new trends, let your creativity shine. We hope these tips inspire you to create a warm and inviting atmosphere for your Christmas celebrations. Happy decorating!
