Christmas 2020 is going to be a strange one, no doubt. So, decorating our homes to embrace the holidays feels even more important this year, says Lori Byrne, a designer with Costandi Designs in Truro.
White on White
When it comes to the colours trends this Christmas, Byrne says it’s all white or all colour.
“White on white on even more white looks so peaceful, and you can make it feel very classic or very modern, depending on your style,” she says.
Don’t forget the glitz. By adding lots of sparkle and shine to a tone on tone theme, it adds depth and dimension to what could be potentially flat decor, says Byrne.
Full Colour
If going monochromatic is not your style, Byrne says to go full colour. This is what she gravitates towards.
“Bold, bright reds, pinks, oranges, greens, blues and turquoise layered together make such a fun, playful Christmas theme, no matter your age,” she says.
Kay Wheaton, co-owner of Wheaton's, a store that offers a wide variety of home decor merchandise across Nova Scotia and New Brunswick, says she has noticed a colourful theme is popular this year, too.
She's seeing some of the same trends this Christmas that they see every day. Just like current fashion and home decor trends, aqua-coloured and pink themes are popular.
You can never beat the traditional red and green for popularity, says Wheaton.
One of their most popular, colourful items this year, says Wheaton, are poinsettia picks which come in many colours. They are selling like never before, probably because of their versatility as they are great on the tree or in wreaths or centrepieces. They inspire creativity, she says.
All Natural
Elements gleaned from nature will always be a great way to decorate for the holidays, says Byrne.
“Nature tends to do it best, right?” she says.
Tara Mummery, a certified interior decorator based in Wolfville, N.S. agrees, saying real greenery is a decorative must for this year.
“Gather your family or bubble and your best pruning shears and go for a hike,” says Mummery. “You can find greenery, berries, pinecones, and branches to use in your home decor this holiday season.”
Other natural decor ideas include drying orange slices in your oven to pair with cinnamon sticks, studding an orange with cloves to make a pomander for a heavenly scent, or placing greenery, berries, and branches in a galvanized tin bucket or your favourite old pitcher to create a rustic festive feel, says Mummery.
Add some plaid ribbon for a pop of Christmas colour. Pinecones and greenery, displayed on a pretty platter or bowl with candles, looks festive and cozy, says Mummery.
Real greenery spills over into the ever-popular farmhouse style. Tables layered with homespun linens, greenery, candles, and your favourite china creates an inviting tablescape, says Mummery.
Hot items
Another huge decor trend this year is tree collars - a choker for the bottom of your tree that covers the stand. You can have a wooden base made to hide the stand or go with galvanized wash tubs or rattan baskets, suggests Mummery.
Bryne loves layering various garlands - such as pompom trim, wooden beads, wool felt balls, a bunting, tin stars, or snowflakes - all strung together across the top of a window or along a fireplace mantel.
Flocked trees are also very trendy this year, says Byrne. These are artificial trees that have an almost velvet-like look, as it consists of soft, fluffy white fibres. Everything, she says, looks better hanging on one, and if you like to decorate early, there's no need to worry about the needles falling off. They also come pre-lit, she adds, for added convenience.
Nostalgia
Vintage Christmas decorations will always be on-trend, says Byrne. Blow molds for the lawn, old glass Christmas balls, bubble lights – anything you remember from your childhood - is a great option for decorating this year, she says.
“Nostalgic items remind us of simpler times, especially in 2020,” says Byrne.
The little red truck theme continues to be very popular, says Wheaton.
"Who doesn’t like the nostalgia of a vintage truck hauling home the Christmas tree? It takes us back to a simpler time," she says. "While we are all staying home more than usual, we appreciate the warmth and security that home gives us."
Feng Shui
Suzanne Stewart of Feng Shui by Suzanne, based in Wolfville, N.S., says this is the time to uplift the energy in our homes.
Since winter is the season of Yin energy, she says, it’s important to balance its cold, dark days by inviting warm and bright Yang energy into our homes.
She offers six tips to optimize your home’s energy during the holidays:
Simplify your holiday decor by clearing out the items that are broken, worn, or no longer resonate with you.
Raise the vibration of the home's energy by placing some items at eye level or higher.
Use a variety of light sources - such as candles and twinkling string lights - to illuminate your space as well as place warm LED bulbs in light fixtures.
Enhance the green healing energy with a tree, garland, or wreath.
