Here Are The Top Holiday Design Trends Of 2020

The holiday season is here and due to the shutdowns, many people have started decorating early. After all, the pandemic has had an overarching influence on every design trend this year from home offices to DIY and renovation. Decorating for the holidays is no different.

Maximalism is the biggest holiday decor trend of 2020. After all, with fewer people making travel plans and more people staying home, there’s plenty of time to obsess over the details, take design risks and achieve the look you really want. And while our lives might feel less than glamorous right now, these decor trends certainly don’t reflect that. Here are this season’s top trends along with some helpful tips on how to decorate for the holidays in 2020.

Gold And Pink Christmas Trees

In 2018, black Christmas trees were a major trend. Two years later, it’s gold Christmas trees. 

“The color gold is believed to lift spirits and inspire optimism. Given the challenges of 2020, gold Christmas trees will add a positive moment to our homes as we look to the holiday season,” says Ryan Stender, seasonal decor expert at Wayfair. “What’s great about gold is its ability to go high or low. It is easily dressed up for a glamorous look. Alternatively, gold can also be simple and understated, particularly when decorating with soft tone ornaments.”

Pink Christmas trees are also on trend this year. From light pink artificial fir to vibrant magenta tinsel, this bold statement looks just as interesting in real life as it does on Instagram.

Maximalist Tree Decor

When it comes to ornaments, more is more in 2020. No one knows this better than influencer Jenny Reimold, who set up three different Christmas tree displays in her home this year. 

For anyone inspired by her enthusiasm for the season, she suggests choosing a tree first and then figuring out how to decorate it. Her personal process is to either identify a theme or wait to see what catches your eye while shopping. “All the evergreen items at HomeGoods inspired my wintry forest, evergreen glam look,” she tells me. “I looked for pinecones, decorative rattan reindeer, and natural elements to bring the theme to life. I also found metallic ornaments and mini white ceramic houses that light up for $10.”

When it comes time to decorate, Reimold’s method isn’t exactly traditional. She goes from the top and works her way down. “I like to top the tree first to help determine the balance and proportion of ornaments that will be added. I’m also a big fan of using an alternative topper that ties into your theme. For example, you could use faux sprigs of greenery or prop your favorite holiday character atop for a fun and festive theme.”

Then she styles the ornaments from the inside out. “Set your foundation with lights and garlands by alternating strands of each throughout. I like to mix and match for added dimension,” she says. “I get my garland from HomeGoods along with affordable and unique decor, including colorful plush balls, hand painted pinecones, ribbons, and faux fur pom poms. Start from the top as far in as possible and work back out along the edge for an extra bright and textured foundation.”

Blue And Silver Are The New Red And Green

Traditionally, blue and metallic colors like silver symbolize Hanukah while red and green are for Christmas. But this year many are using blue and silver to represent both holidays. However, this is the one holiday design trend completely unrelated to the pandemic.

According to Alix Greenberg, founder of ArtSugar, there’s a larger movement behind the re-imaging of holiday colors. “With Pantone choosing Classic Blue as their 2020 color of the year, it makes sense that holiday decor would be on the pulse with this trend— and not just for Hanukah. For Christmas decor, we’re also seeing a lot of blue paired with metallics this year.”

For example, ArtSugar recently launched a paperweight line featuring blue and metallic star-shaped paperweights. These accessories are the perfect way to give your home office a festive holiday feel right now, but also seamlessly integrate into the space as a permanent decor fixture.

Another example of blue and metallic holiday decor is the partnership between Shutterfly and HGTV host Tiffany Brooks. They recently collaborated a line of customizable products with silver tones and shades of blue from deep navy to cool aqua. “I want colors that can easily feel like Christmas,” Brooks tells me. “But you can take right on into the New Year. It’s gorgeous.”

The interior designer and television host sees this line as an opportunity to create thoughtful gifts and enjoy a different take on the season— mixing patterns and vibrant colors with a black and white photo for example. From pillows to plates and photobooks, there are lots of choices to make decorating and gifting as easy as possible.

Outdoor Holiday Celebrations

According to research recently commissioned from Bed Bath and Beyond, 23 percent of Americans are planning to celebrate the holidays outdoors in 2020, in order to reduce their risk of coronavirus. So the brand did something they’ve never done before: they launched a curated outdoor line for winter called the Cozy Backyard Holiday Collection.

This collection has everything needed to celebrate outdoors including fire pits and outdoor heaters along with festive lighting and decor. There are even larger pieces of furniture like the Forest Gate Olive 7-Piece Outdoor Acacia Dining Set. It’s the perfect setup for small groups to eat outside together.

Tablescapes Are Everything

With an increased focus on what looks good for social media photos, tablescapes are more important than ever. It’s all about details. 

Tableware designer and artist Molly Hatch suggests starting by layering soft textiles. Anything from burlap to linen will make the table feel softer and warmer.

As for a centerpiece, Hatch says it’s best to forgo standard towering floral decor. “Have your centerpiece arrangements be long and low. Go traditional with mums, greens, and berries; or get creative with pumpkins, greenery from your yard, and foraged berries.” A lower centerpiece also makes it easier to converse at the table as well as serve food.

Don’t forget to use linen napkins and style them with a proper napkin ring. Elizabeth Sutton Collection recently launched logo butterfly napkin rings in nickel and brass. They’re the ultimate sophisticated touch.

When it comes to utensils, opt for gold over the silver. It’s an instant way to upgrade your table. The Satin Gold Flatware Set from Rigby is perfect for this, adding a warm pop of color. It’s a beautiful set for the holidays or for every day.