Holiday decorating in 2025 is less about buying an entirely new look and more about choosing a few smart upgrades that actually change how a home feels. The most successful trends balance nostalgia with polish, turning familiar motifs into something richer, cozier, and more personal. After testing the season’s buzziest ideas, some proved worth the effort and expense, while others worked only in small, edited doses.
The patterns that held up best shared a common thread: they respected tradition, but edited it. Deep color, layered greenery, and a “curated, not cluttered” mindset consistently delivered the biggest visual payoff, while disposable decor and overstuffed vignettes felt dated fast. Here is how five major holiday trends performed in real rooms, and which details actually earned a place in the storage bins for next year.
Sophisticated Sentimentality: When Nostalgia Actually Looks Grown Up
The strongest decorating shift this year is a move toward what designers are calling “Sophisticated Sentimentality,” a style that keeps heirloom ornaments and childhood memories but frames them in a more edited, elevated way. Instead of covering every surface, the focus is on a few meaningful pieces, displayed with intention, so the room feels warm rather than chaotic. That approach aligns with reporting that describes Sophisticated Sentimentality as a way of embracing the emotional pull of the holidays while adding richness to classic palettes, a balance that keeps red, green, and metallics from feeling flat when they are layered with deeper tones and better materials like velvet and glass, as highlighted in recent coverage of holiday decor trends for 2025.
In practice, this trend works best when sentimental items are edited and grouped rather than scattered. A single bowl of inherited glass ornaments on a console, a framed photo of a childhood tree tucked into a bookshelf, or a small cluster of vintage figurines on a mantel can all read as intentional design instead of clutter. Designers note that the sweet spot is where nostalgia meets modern refinement, a point underscored in reporting that describes Sophisticated Sentimentality as a look “where nostalgia meets modern refinement,” a phrase used to define what is trending now and tied directly to the idea of a curated, emotionally resonant home in coverage that cites As for what’s trending this year, White and other designers.
Quality Over Quantity: Editing the Tree and the Mantel
Another clear winner is the “Quality Over Quantity” mindset, which pushes back against the idea that more ornaments, more garlands, and more figurines automatically equal more cheer. Designers are advising homeowners to invest in fewer, better pieces and to leave breathing room on mantels and tabletops so each item can be appreciated. Reporting on holiday decor trends notes that Quality Over Quantity has become a defining idea, with experts like Bonner explaining that one of the biggest shifts is a focus on fewer decorations that are more intentional and better made, a point captured in coverage of Quality Over Quantity for the holidays.
Applied to a Christmas tree, this approach means editing out tired plastic ornaments and leaning into a tighter color story, such as burgundy and gold or green and mixed metals, so the tree looks cohesive from across the room. On a mantel, it might mean choosing one substantial garland, a pair of candlesticks, and a single bowl of pinecones instead of a lineup of small trinkets. Bonner has also linked this philosophy to budget friendly styling, noting that a restrained palette and a few high impact pieces can look high end even when they are under a modest price point, an idea echoed in guidance that “In the same vein” encourages shoppers to prioritize a curated mix that feels elevated without overspending, as detailed in reporting that quotes Bonner in a section on In the same vein, Bonner and other designers.
Burgundy Everything and Moody Color: A Richer Holiday Palette
Color is where 2025’s decor feels most different, and “Burgundy Everything” is the clearest example of a trend that looks dramatic in photos but surprisingly livable in person. Designers are leaning into wine, oxblood, and deep berry tones for ribbons, candles, and textiles, often pairing them with chocolate brown, forest green, or brass. Reporting on the Most Popular Holiday Decorating Trends Of the year notes that Burgundy Everything is one of the standout shifts, grouped alongside Nostalgia And Co as part of a broader move toward richer, moodier palettes that still feel classic, a point laid out in coverage of the Most Popular Holiday Decorating Trends Of 2025, According To Designers.
In real rooms, burgundy works best as an accent rather than a full takeover. A stack of burgundy velvet pillows on a neutral sofa, a runner in a wine toned plaid, or a cluster of taper candles in deep red can shift the entire mood of a space without requiring a new tree or ornaments. Designers also tie this palette to the broader Nostalgia And Co idea, which layers these saturated hues with traditional motifs like tartan, mercury glass, and vintage style baubles so the look feels rooted in memory rather than purely trend driven. That combination of Burgundy Everything with nostalgic details is what makes the palette feel worth the investment, since a burgundy ribbon on a wreath or a set of wine colored stockings will still feel relevant long after this particular season’s buzz fades.
Ralph Lauren Christmas and the Alpine Lodge Fantasy
For those who prefer a storybook version of winter, the “Ralph Lauren Christmas” and Alpine Lodge aesthetics deliver a highly styled, cabin inspired look that still feels grounded in tradition. The Alpine Lodge idea centers on layered textures, from wool throws to rustic wood and faux fur, often paired with simple greenery and candlelight to evoke the feeling of quiet mornings watching snow fall outside. Reporting on Christmas decor trends describes this Alpine Lodge aesthetic as a key direction, emphasizing how it leans into cozy materials and a restrained palette to create a retreat like atmosphere, a point illustrated in coverage that highlights the Alpine Lodge look.
“Ralph Lauren Christmas” takes that lodge fantasy and layers in more polish, with tartan, equestrian details, and deep jewel tones like emerald and navy. Designers and trend forecasters point to this style as a timeless holiday look that is resurging, with tartan and plaid textiles, leather accents, and brass details all playing a role. One report explains that the question “What Is Ralph Lauren Christmas, And Why Is The Style Back” is answered by pointing to its reliance on classic patterns and textures, including tartan and plaid pieces featuring the traditional print, which are central to the aesthetic’s appeal, as detailed in coverage of What Is Ralph Lauren Christmas, And Why Is The Style Back. A separate trend breakdown of 2025 holiday decor notes Ralph Lauren Christmas as a key influence, listing it alongside monochromatic gift wrapping, deep jewel tones, backyard holiday decor, mixed metals, full length tablecloths, velvet, and satin, a cluster of ideas that all support this more tailored, cinematic version of the season, as seen in a video on Ralph Lauren Christmas and other 2025 holiday decor trends.
Nostalgia, Christmas Classics, and the Vintage ’90s Comeback
Beyond a single color or pattern, the broader return to nostalgia is one of the most pervasive themes in 2025 holiday decorating, and it is one of the few trends that feels both emotionally resonant and visually fresh. Designers are leaning into layered greenery, moody tones, and familiar motifs like glass baubles and tinsel, but they are styling them in more restrained, design forward ways. Reporting on Christmas Decor Trends That Will Be Everywhere notes that nostalgia, layered greenery, and moody tones will be everywhere, and describes a return to classics as a defining shift, with images of garlands, wreaths, and traditional ornaments styled in updated ways, as detailed in coverage of Christmas Decor Trends That Will Be Everywhere.
Within that nostalgic wave, the Vintage ’90s Christmas Aesthetic is a more specific microtrend that has proven surprisingly adaptable. Designers Meredith Page and Liz Livinston are both cited as fully embracing this renaissance, leaning into deep chestnut and chocolate hues, glass ornaments, and the kind of slightly kitschy, heartfelt decor that defined many childhood living rooms. Reporting on 5 Holiday Decor Trends notes that the Vintage ’90s Christmas Aesthetic is one of the key looks designers are following, and that Designers Meredith Page and Liz Livinston are using deep chestnut and chocolate hues to make the palette feel grown up rather than juvenile, as outlined in coverage of The Vintage ’90s Christmas Aesthetic. When tested in a contemporary home, a few ’90s inspired touches, like colored glass lights on a secondary tree or a bowl of mixed metallic ornaments on a sideboard, added charm without overwhelming the more edited main spaces.
Curated Layers, Mixed Metals, and the “Collector’s” Look
Another trend that proved its staying power is the move toward a curated, collected look, especially in how metals and materials are mixed. Instead of matching every candleholder and frame, designers are encouraging a blend of brass, silver, and even blackened metal, which creates depth and keeps a room from feeling like a showroom. Reporting on the Biggest Holiday Decor Trends of 2025 notes that “A curator’s eye is felt here as there’s a mixing of vintage heirloom pieces juxtaposed with newer items,” and highlights how this approach makes a space feel personal and layered, with lighting that glows like candlelight after sunset, as described in coverage that emphasizes that “A curator’s eye is felt here” when vintage and new pieces are mixed.
At the same time, designers caution against taking mixed metals to an extreme that feels chaotic. One report on the 5 Most Popular Holiday Decorating Trends Of 2025 explains that, in a similar vein, homeowners should go with a collected look rather than an overly curated one when it comes to metals, and cites advice from Farnady Interiors in Annapolis, Maryland, that encourages mixing finishes in a way that feels intentional rather than random. The guidance suggests that a few repeated finishes, like brass and antique silver, can anchor the room while still allowing for variety, a point laid out in coverage that notes “In a similar vein, go with a collected look rather than an overly curated one” when discussing metals and credits Farnady Interiors in Annapolis, Maryland, as a source of that advice, as seen in reporting on In a similar vein, go with a collected look.
Fresh Greens, Layered Textures, and the Alpine Lodge Spin-Off
While faux garlands and pre lit wreaths still have their place, fresh greenery is quietly reclaiming center stage, especially in homes that lean into the Alpine Lodge and cabin inspired looks. Designers are pairing real garlands and wreaths with wool, linen, and wood to create warmth and cohesion, often keeping the color palette tight so the textures do the heavy lifting. One report on 5 Holiday Decor Trends quotes a designer saying that “Fresh greens alongside wool, linen, and wood create warmth and cohesive decor in a way that never feels overdone,” and notes that this combination helps fulfill a lodge fantasy without tipping into theme park territory, as detailed in coverage that highlights how “Fresh greens alongside wool, linen, and wood” support that lodge fantasy.
In testing, fresh greens made the biggest impact in high traffic areas like entryways and dining rooms, where their scent and texture could be appreciated up close. A simple swag of greenery on a stair rail, a wreath layered over a mirror, or a runner of cedar down the center of a table instantly elevated the space, especially when paired with natural materials like linen napkins and wooden candlesticks. This approach dovetails with the broader nostalgia and Alpine Lodge trends, since it leans on traditional materials and a restrained palette rather than novelty items, and it proved to be one of the most cost effective ways to make a home feel intentionally decorated without adding visual clutter.
What Wasn’t Worth It: Overdone Themes and Tired Faux Pieces
Not every trend or long standing habit held up under scrutiny. Overly themed rooms, where every pillow, mug, and throw blanket carries a holiday slogan or cartoon motif, quickly felt exhausting and visually noisy. The most successful spaces pulled back on literal references and instead used color, texture, and a few key motifs to signal the season. This aligns with the broader Quality Over Quantity and curated look guidance, which consistently favors fewer, better pieces over a sea of novelty items, and with the Sophisticated Sentimentality idea that sentimental decor should be edited rather than displayed all at once.
Some older staples are also being quietly retired, especially when they no longer look or perform their best. One report on holiday decorations to toss explains that one of the benefits of an artificial Christmas tree is that it can be used year after year, but also notes that faux trees that have become discolored, misshapen, or overly worn from the use they receive each year should be replaced. The same logic applies to garlands that shed glitter, lights that flicker, and plastic ornaments that have yellowed or cracked, all of which can drag down even the most carefully planned scheme, as detailed in coverage that notes that One of the benefits of an artificial Christmas tree is longevity, but only up to a point.
What Was Actually Worth It: A Short List for Next Year
Across all the trends tested, a few clear winners emerged as worth repeating and even expanding next year. Sophisticated Sentimentality, with its focus on meaningful pieces displayed in a refined way, consistently made rooms feel more personal and inviting without adding clutter. Burgundy Everything and other moody tones, when used as accents, gave classic red and green schemes new depth and worked seamlessly with both traditional and more modern furniture. The Ralph Lauren Christmas and Alpine Lodge aesthetics, especially when grounded in tartan, plaid, wool, and wood, delivered a cozy, cinematic atmosphere that still felt timeless.
Equally successful were the Quality Over Quantity mindset and the curated mix of metals and materials, which together kept spaces from feeling overstuffed or overly matchy. Fresh greens layered with wool, linen, and wood proved to be one of the most impactful upgrades, adding scent, texture, and a sense of authenticity that no plastic garland could match. Taken together, these trends point toward a holiday style that is less about chasing every new idea and more about editing, investing in better basics, and letting nostalgia and craftsmanship do the heavy lifting. For anyone planning next year’s decor, the most reliable strategy is to start with what already holds meaning, then layer in richer color, better texture, and a more thoughtful mix of old and new.
As a mom of three busy boys, I know how chaotic life can get — but I’ve learned that it’s possible to create a beautiful, cozy home even with kids running around. That’s why I started Cultivated Comfort — to share practical tips, simple systems, and a little encouragement for parents like me who want to make their home feel warm, inviting, and effortlessly stylish. Whether it’s managing toy chaos, streamlining everyday routines, or finding little moments of calm, I’m here to help you simplify your space and create a sense of comfort.
But home is just part of the story. I’m also passionate about seeing the world and creating beautiful meals to share with the people I love. Through Cultivated Comfort, I share my journey of balancing motherhood with building a home that feels rich and peaceful — and finding joy in exploring new places and flavors along the way.
