Top Designer Trends for Holiday Decor

Blue Rules This Holiday Season

Blue is the standout color in Atlanta's 2020 Home for the Holidays Designer Showhouse and Marketplace in shades that range from soft, sky-blue to azure and from steely blue to rich cobalt. The 6,500-square-foot estate in the Buckhead neighborhood was developed by KBD Development and designed by Harrison Design in partnership with Atlanta Homes & Lifestyles. Dan Belman and Randy Korando of Boxwoods Gardens & Gifts designed the exterior decor. Read on for more holiday decorating trends and tips.

Subtle Silver + White Decor Is In

Designer Janie Wilburn of The Jane Group created this "silver bells" kitchen in trendy holiday hues. "All our ribbons and papers are whites, blues and taupes, and shimmery, silvery and sparkly in the most subtle and sophisticated ways." Colors have "the slightest variation in hue and finish, which creates a cohesive softness."

Add Sophisticated Sparkle With Glass and Metallics

This year, go glam in your decor. "The holidays are about amping up what your normal style is, but you get to be a little more sparkly and fun," says designer Janie Wilburn. It’s an opportunity to exaggerate what you love, so we used ornaments on the table that felt like vintage jewels (even decorating our champagne bottles). We also have the most beautiful mercury glass ornaments in the garland, which feel like they’ve been around forever."

Coordinate Gift Wrap With Your Room Decor

"Giving presents is my favorite," adds Janie Wilburn, who founded The Jane Group. "I want each gift to be wrapped more beautifully than the last." She chose wrapping papers that play up the blues and taupes in the room. "For each present at each place setting, I used the most beautiful cream paper that has a soft iridescence (like the wall covering)." She also layered taupe ribbon with white grosgrain ribbons stamped with the words, "Merry Christmas." For a finishing touch, each package has a feathered bird and glittering pinecones.

Go Overboard With Natural Elements

If you usually have potted evergreens flanking your front door, designers recommend stepping up natural garlands and plants this year to make your porchscape even more lavish and green. Since most homeowners will have quiet, family-centric celebrations this year, with fewer parties, your porch and entrance decor will be even more critical in showing your holiday spirit.

Use Metallics in Place of Red and Green

Designers who added holiday decor to this year's 2020 Showhouse used very few traditional Christmas reds and greens, favoring a subtle, muted color palette instead. The partners from Boxwoods Gardens & Gifts put a fresh twist on various classic elements, like this wreath, which is decked out in silver, gold and copper colors. Spray-painted and fresh evergreen cuttings were tucked in for a full, lush look.

Choose a Non-Traditional Color Palette

For the driveway columns at the Showhouse, Dan Belman and Randy Korando put another spin on the typical holiday decor. "We purposely used traditional elements such as magnolia leaves, ribbon, fresh greenery and holiday bells, but chose to go with a nontraditional color palette of silver, gold and brown in place of the more traditional red and green." The fresh color choices will look festive into the New Year.

Throw In Some Oversized Elements

For the front yard, Dan Belman says the oversized bells were added to show that even the most ordinary holiday decorations can become part of new and surprising displays. Behind the bells, oversized containers filled with evergreen cuttings and slender, interesting branches flank the home's front door.

Add a Spectacular Wintery Statement You Can Enjoy All Year Long

Designer Valerie Garrett of Valerie Garret Interiors created this romantic Showhouse bedroom. One of the room's highlights is the Iberia chandelier which she says adds a wintery holiday vibe. "It’s a little winter wonderland hanging from the ceiling! The workmanship is exquisite. When I look at its crystals, I feel like I’m staring at icicles dripping down."

Dress Up What You Already Have

Budget-friendly decorating is always in season, and it's easy to pair new and inexpensive holiday accents with your existing decor. Here, a simple Christmas wreath welcomes the season in a bedroom designed by Lathem Gordon and Cate Dunning of GordonDunning Interior Design. The designers also added red ribbons and the vase of cream-colored poinsettia blooms on the antique chest. And is that a faux snowball hanging from the chandelier? Many craft stores sell artificial snowballs.

Neutrals Are Definitely On Trend

Designers Trudy Stump, Heather Parker and Wren Caples, of Huff Harrington, created this space as a special retreat for the woman of the house. It's intended to be both edgy and elegant, imagined for a homeowner who loves art. Meg Harrington, co-founder of Huff Harringon, adds, "Keep the holiday touches neutral but gorgeous. A touch of holiday spirits comes from the lush and oversized magnolia garland that sits on top of our crunchy, crusty wine bottle console and a couple of elegantly wrapped gifts in monochromatic neutrals."

Make Your Space Warm and Cozy

Warm and welcoming is trending. "As Scandinavian design enthusiasts," says designer Michael Habachy of Habachy Designs, "we felt hygge was the perfect theme for the space we created. Pronounced hoog-uh, this Danish lifestyle concept evokes feelings of coziness, contentment and community. This year more than ever, it’s important for people to feel comfortable at home since they’re spending so much time there because of COVID-19. It was our goal to make visitors want to linger for a while and nestle up by the fire." A faux snowman by the fireplace and assorted greenery add holiday spirit.

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Think Textured Layers and Earthy Fall Shades

Designer Michael Habachy says, "A rich layer of texturing — including shearling, wool boucle, flannel and hair-on-hide — evokes a sense of warmth on a cold winter day." In this living area comfort is the primary focus. The color palette of rust tones, burnt orange and whiskey leather was inspired by the change of seasons, and is meant to complement the views of autumn foliage outside." A simple but elegant vase of red winterberries on tall stems is a quick and easy way to transition to winter decor and the holidays.

Bring Holiday Spirit to Every Room

Because this Showhouse laundry room lacks windows, Kit Castaldo, of Kit Castaldo Design, decided to use a light paint palette and wallcovering "that would bounce light around the room. Our inspiration for this space was a beautiful, sunny day in the snow and we wanted it to feel bright, airy and crisp." Art, rugs and the wallpaper add texture. To carry the Christmas spirit even into a room where it's unexpected, the designer added a tree adorned with ornaments in complementary colors.

Stay Natural and Simple

Bold, brightly colored holiday decorations took a back seat in this year's showhouse. Designers opted for soft colors and natural elements like garden cuttings, berry-studded stems and pinecones. The team at Kit Castaldo Design let the natural light in the house inspire this simple yet striking decor for the staircase. Freshly cut evergreens hang from the handrails in graceful swags. When the sun shines through the large windows and warms the space, the greenery gives off a delicious, spicy fragrance.

Try Soft Pink for the Holiday

Lauren Davenport Imber, with Davenport Designs, found inspiration for designing this master bedroom from Nantucket, one of her favorite places to visit. "Nantucket is all about honoring their history and past, while incorporating the new. I did that by mixing antique artwork and new furnishings. I used a soft pink sand as the color of the bedding, which set the tone for the space."

Go Retro With a Flocked Christmas Tree

"I love a flocked tree, and had never used one before," Lauren Davenport Imber says. "I thought this was the perfect time to do so. There are no rules anymore when it comes to colors used for the holidays. Pick your favorite one and repeat it on your tree, garlands and bows. I like to keep the colors soft, as not to overwhelm." The soft pink sand color used in her coastal design comes up again in the tree's ornaments and the packages around its base.

Celebrate Nature in Tree Ornaments

Woodsy ornaments from Boxwoods Gardens & Gifts adorn the tree decorated by designer Patricia McLean, of Patricia McLean Interiors. "The Christmas tree has birds and nests and eggs all nestled in, as in nature. The light, bright berries and baby’s breath (Gypsophila paniculata) give it light and life. A client has already copied it exactly and installed it in time for Thanksgiving. They are Jewish and he has never had a tree before. I was so touched."

Skip the Usual Christmas Red

The blues, greens, teals and golds in this living room were inspired by a circa 1720 French tapestry, says designer Patricia McLean, who leaned away from the usual Christmas reds. "The Doug Foltz painting over the mantle has a calming effect as well as the key colors." The furnishings are arranged to make the room feel cozy. "French, Italian and English antiques hold court like old friends amongst the gorgeous upholstery, petrified wooden end table, onyx bowl and antlers (not shown)." Fresh, Christmasy evergreens flow down the staircase while more greenery brightens the fireplace.

Bring In an Unexpected Element

Sande Beck, with Sande Beck Design, says she wanted the porch she designed for the 2020 showhouse to feel like an extension of the kitchen. She chose elegant, black iron furniture and black and white chinoiserie for a timeless look. An unexpected zebra print rug feels fresh and trendy and calls attention to the attractive outdoor flooring without overwhelming the holiday topiaries, garland and small, potted trees.

If You Choose Red, Make It Subtle

Designer Courtney Giles Decker, with Courtney Giles Interiors, created this chic study, which is outfitted with comfortable chairs, a reading lamp and contemporary art. A throw, ornaments and an arrangement of twigs studded with red berries add traditional Christmas color. "All are subtle, but pull the red into the predominantly blue room."

Jewel Tones Add Warmth and Luxury

"The dining room was inspired by festive holiday dinner parties full of friends, merrymaking and lots of cocktails," says designer Mallory Mathison Glenn. "It was designed around a hand-painted Gracie wallpaper that is white and cobalt blue and makes one feel as if you are in an exotic, yet dignified, winter garden." Unfortunately, that paper was lost in transit, but Mallory’s mother, Monteigne Mathison, stepped in to create a stunning mural of flowering trees, butterflies and flora. "The color palette of emerald and sapphire was chosen to invoke a glamorous jewel-toned space that is not only rich and saturated but light, bright and delightful. A trend we've seen this year is a return to traditional, comfortable and inviting interiors that make people feel cheerful and warm."

Use Festive Place Cards and Favors

To welcome guests to the dining room, designer Mallory Mathison Glenn used calligraphy place cards at the table and topped each plate with a Christmas cracker in green, red and gold. Popular in Canada, Australia and other countries, the crackers pop when they're opened to reveal a small trinket or joke. They're fun, festive favors and decorations. She also set the table with individual candy bowls, so guests wouldn't have to reach into the same dish.

Hang Outdoor Decorations Inside

Fresh evergreen wreaths sporting crimson bows hang on the glass and iron doors in this showhouse hallway. For a trendy twist, the wreaths are used inside the home, rather than outside on the doors and windows. The hallway and an adjoining powder room (not shown) were designed by Judy Bentley of Interior Views. Her choice of red works perfectly with the Kravet drapes, edged with Samuel & Sons tape, and with the cobalt blue walls.

Set a Table With Rented Holidayware

This table features elements from Freshly Set, a tabletop rental service that delivers designer goods directly to your home and takes some of the pressure of clean-up off of the host or hostess. Customers can select their favorite tablecloths, napkins, napkin rings and other accessories, and return them in a bag that's provided with a prepaid label. Freshly Set handles the cleaning when the items are returned. Shown here: a wisteria tablecloth and napkins in festive but non-traditional holiday colors.

Jazz Up a Hard-Working Space

Courtney Shearer of The Designery created this scullery (a small room, often at the back of a home, used for washing dishes and other chores) and dressed it for the holidays. "I see this space as an organized oasis to store small appliances and food. The person who uses this room values space to spread out and enjoy the process of cooking, cutting flowers or even sipping a cup of coffee. The color palette is warm and inviting and creates a cozy backdrop for a hardworking space. When it came time to decorate the space for the holidays I selected small, flocked trees with gold flower ornaments to jazz up the space with some holiday cheer without taking away from the functionality."

Remember Your Back Entrance

A mudroom can be one of the hardest working rooms in the house, says designer Courtney Shearer, but she wanted this showhouse room to be classic and cozy, as well as functional. "The green color and textured wallpaper set the tone for the 'cozy,'" she says, and the cabinets corral "'all the things', like shoes, umbrellas, keys and even outgoing mail." Her goal: to create a beautiful but hard-working back-door welcome into the home. "For the holiday aspect, I'm a big believer in adding layers to a space to enhance the view without overwhelming it. A few trees with twinkle lights and a handmade, organic wreath do the trick."

Brighten the Bath With a Tree

Several of the 2020 showhouse designers added classic holiday elements, like Christmas trees and evergreen garlands, to non-traditional spaces like this stunning bath designed by Jason Mitchell of J Ansel Designs. Here, a luxurious, chocolate brown throw serves as a Christmas tree skirt for a Fraser fir; the tree doesn't need ornaments to stand out. A matching garland on the wall behind the tub is ornamented with a few simple baubles and miniature reindeer.

Accent a Dressing Table for the Holidays

Jason Mitchell's luxurious design continues from the bath into a dressing area. It's furnished with contemporary art, a glass-fronted cabinet stocked with plush towels and wine and an inviting chair upholstered in silvery faux fur. To add a splash of holiday colors, just-cut evergreens are tucked along the windowsill. A vase of chartreuse foliage from the garden offers eye-catching color.

Decorate a Tree in Trendy Rose and Gold

The staff at Atlanta gift and grocery emporium Lucy's Market decorated this tree in trendy rose and gold ornaments to continue a pink theme seen throughout the home. The neutral colors used on the tree blend beautifully with other neutrals found throughout the showhouse.

Mix Modern With Traditional on the Table

This tablescape from Waiting on Martha features stackable green and clear glass Christmas trees, stemless wine glasses, assorted red glassware, Julisa Berry & Thread North Pole bowls and other holiday items. While the table is decorated in traditional Christmas colors, it's updated with a contemporary wooden candelabra holding tan candles. Also trending on holiday tables: mixed metallics like the brass bells, silver utensils and pewter sauceboat shown on this gold and white tablecloth.

Let Nature Inspire a Centerpiece

Relish is a line of tableware molded from handcrafted pottery and made of nearly carefree melamine. Designers Susan Peterson, Cabell Sweeney and Erika Laughlin say the dishes are versatile enough to mix with silverware and linens or with paper towels and takeout boxes. In this setting, Relish bowls are layered atop Christmas plates on a red and white tablecloth. Let natural elements like moss, potted lemon cypress and twigs inspire your centerpiece for a trendy table inspired by the outdoors.

Top Designers Share What's Trending in Holiday Decor This Year

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