Simple styling ideas for a maximalist Christmas
Is your Christmas décor feeling a little lacklustre? Don’t worry, you don’t need to start from scratch to breathe new life into your festive styling. With just a few clever tweaks and some budget-friendly hacks, you can elevate your Christmas decor in no time. From simple additions like paper balls to creative uses for wreaths, here are some easy tips to make your home sparkle this season.
Stylish and easy tablescape ideas
This time of year you see so many elaborate ways to style the Christmas dinner table, but with the food prep and entertaining, I cut down on faffing with the table by keeping it simple and flexible. I use drinking tumblers as vases, and cut flower stems nice and low so they don’t get in the way of conversation. They can also be easily moved around when the food arrives. Add a splash of colour by dotting fruit down the table. I love little clementines, pomegranates and plums, but pears and pineapples have also appeared over the years! Better still you can eat them after.
Keep the table simple with pops of fruity colour. Chairs: Cox & Cox. Christmas plates: Spode, Candles: True Grace
Update your dining chairs with small bunches of foliage for a fresh and natural touch. Ask your local florist for leftover greenery, raid your garden fir trees or simply snip a few branches from the back of your Christmas tree. Simply secure the greenery with twine, add a big silk ribbon and you’ll have a fabulous detail that adds charm to your Christmas table setting, and will last for days.
Make each seat special with simple foliage garlands, topped off with colourful ribbons and a festive tree decoration for that maximalist touch!
Floral displays
It’s kind of freaky how long carnations last, these ones went all the way into February! For a festive twist, get some dried oranges from a florist supplier, and add a stem of green floristry wire. You can then poke them in amongst your roses, carnations and hydrangea heads. Alternatively, use dried oranges as embellishments to your tree or wreath. I’m a huge carnation fan as they come in such gorgeous bright pinks and reds which look perfect for Christmas.
Fill your house with floral displays. I like to add dried oranges which adds charm and looks fabulous!
Decorate like a maximalist
When decorating like a maximalist, you have to keep looking at ways to make a bold colour statement. I bought some 38mm satin ribbons from my florist supplier or you can find plenty on Ebay, in a range of colours that suit my decor. Dunelm sell multipacks too! The trick is to make a large fat bow with long tails, tied directly onto the branch. And voila, an instant update to the tree amongst treasured decorations.
Add bows everywhere for an updated look
Paper balls are an affordable, fuss-free way to bring vibrant colour and fun to your Christmas decor. Hang them along the bannister, cluster them as a centrepiece, or layer them under the tree to fill the space before the presents arrive. Mix sizes and colours for a playful, yet modern look.
Paper balls are an inexpensive and versatile way to add colour and texture to your Christmas setup. I buy mine from Ebay.
Apply candle light liberally
One thing I love most about this Christmas period is the part when the business running up to the big day is finally over and you can relax on the sofa with a movie and a box of chocolates. It’s all about creating that nurturing cosy vibe, so turn the overhead lights off and light plenty of candles, or drape fairy lights across the window sills. The flickering luminescence captures the pure magic of this time of year.
Wreaths aren’t just for front doors! I use them to add festive charm indoors too. This fabulous rainbow wreath is from Waitrose last year. You can get a similar one from Rockett St George.
Create a simple tray display
Regular readers will know I am obsessed with trays and have lots in the house. They are super useful this time of year for carrying, serving and storing things. But they are also a great little styling hack to bring a few well-chosen items together. On this footstool, I’ve gathered a floral display, scented candle, some ornaments and baubles for a central focal point. So easy, so stylish!
My top tip is to group freestanding decorations in trays. Think candles, flowers and festive decor. It stops placement from looking random and grounds decorative items in groups. Gold Tortoise glasses holder: Dunelm. Candle: SevenSeventeen. Tray: Zazoo Design.
Run out of gift wrap? here’s my hack
When I’ve run out of wrapping paper, I love to use simple plain brown paper and dress it up with reusable satin ribbons and a small bauble from the tree! Another simple yet effective idea is to add a sprig of greenery or a cinnamon stick. Both are eco-friendly and effortlessly elegant.
I love to add reusable ribbons and a bauble from the tree for an eco-friendly wrapping hack that looks absolutely beautiful! Disco baubles from Oliver Bonas.
Which idea will you try? Share your favourites or any creative hacks you love in the comments below or on Instagram. And don’t forget – sometimes, a small update is all you need to bring the magic back to your Christmas season! Don’t forget to check out my Christmas Gift Guide for Colour Lovers if you are looking for gift inspiration.
For more decor inspiration, on how I decorate my house at Christmas, head to House Beautiful YouTube channel for my Christmas House tour!
Photography by Simon Bevan for House Beautiful
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