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Traditional Christmas Decorating Ideas and Trends in 2022

14 December 2022 6 min read

'Tis the season to be colourful! As everyone untangles their Christmas lights and unpacks their festive cheer, we'll guide you through this holiday season's design trends. Whatever your interior dream is this year, make it come true with Mylands. So open your advent calendar, one day at a time, as we count down to Christmas and this season's frostiest home décor trends.

Our Pale Lilac No.246 and Myrtle Green No.168 are out to play this season, but how do you pull these schemes together, and which decorating ideas work best with a pastel Christmas? Snuggle up with a hot mug of mulled wine while we take you through the trends you need to know.

Rectory dining room with warm brown-grey Grouse No.75 walls and a long table dressed with a fir garland — Left, Grouse No.75 walls in a dining room dressed for Christmas; right, Plum Tree No.283 walls behind a decorated tree

Georgian drawing room with deep plum Plum Tree No.283 walls and a spruce dressed in rose and silver baubles — Left, Grouse No.75 walls in a dining room dressed for Christmas; right, Plum Tree No.283 walls behind a decorated tree

Trending colour combinations, Christmas 2023: Christmas pastels

Dreaming of a white Christmas? Embrace a winter wonderland by pairing a pastel with a wintry white. Maugham White™ No.2 has a frosty undertone of colder grey and blue, with less colour in the white for the pastel to compete with, so use it with any shade from our Christmas palette and you've found your match. For a minimalist look, stick to one of our neutrals, Holbein Chamber™ No.7 and Whitehall™ No.9 (above) are a great choice, or try Myrtle Green™ No.168, Early Lavender™ No.260 and Maugham White™ No.2 for a unique pastel scheme that feels sophisticated and modern.

Farmhouse dining room with pale Whitehall No.9 walls, a table painted metallic FTT-004 Silver and Islington No.23 chairs — Whitehall No.9 walls with a dining table in FTT-004 Silver and chairs in Islington No.23

Stucco terrace front door painted soft pink Soho Pink No.266 with a fir wreath and white Maugham White No.2 porch — A front door in high-gloss Soho Pink No.266 with a fir wreath and Maugham White No.2 surround

Add romance to your living room or bedroom with one of 2023's fastest-growing colour trends, soft pinks, which have dominated the neutral space in interiors this year and show no sign of slowing. For a minimalist, whimsical scheme, try our winter white Maugham White™ No.2 with Pale Lilac™ No.246 and Osterley™ No.25, a trio that reflects kindness and generosity, and to really warm it up, add our FTT-01™ - Rich Gold and you'll be the envy of the family at the Christmas dinner table.

Study with pale blue Morning Blue No.32 walls, Long Acre No.102 woodwork and a fir swag on the picture rail — Morning Blue No.32 walls with Long Acre No.102 woodwork in a study decorated for winter

Break the ice this December with frosted, pale blues; the studious tone has plenty to say and creates a thoughtful mood in a living room or study. Pair Walpole™ No.42 with Myrtle Green™ No.168 for a subtle, icy blue that intensifies the warmth of the green undertones, and complement this welcoming duo with homely Belgravia No.6 for a stylish, modern scheme, or Maugham White™ No.2 for the perfect combination of a Christmas tree against a crisp winter-blue morning sky.

Apartment salon with a deep green Brompton Road No.205 chimney wall and fireplace mouldings in metallic FTT-001 Rich Gold — A Brompton Road No.205 wall with fireplace mouldings in FTT-001 Rich Gold

It wouldn't be Christmas without some sparkle, and the wonderful thing about FTT-001™ - Rich Gold is that it's the gift that keeps on giving, perfect for a small DIY project. Add an edgy metallic touch to any pastel scheme with this rich, decadent shade, whether to your 'kindness of pinks' scheme or to warm up those chilly pale blues, and pair it with Myrtle Green™ No.168 or Maritime™ No.236 to watch the two go head-to-head in a sumptuous fight for your attention. This gold is here for all your festive looks.

Trend report! Christmas decorating ideas

Glass adornments add a light, magical touch to any space; their translucency provides airiness while form and colour add intrigue, and best of all you can show off your personality by using them however suits your style, glass baubles, snow globes, ornaments, lights, coloured glass for your tablescapes, vases, candle holders, whatever fits your aesthetic.

Living room with a Soho Pink No.266 wall and a Peach Flesh Pink No.268 chair beside a small spruce — A Soho Pink No.266 wall with a chair in Peach Flesh Pink No.268 beside a small Christmas tree

Victorian sitting room with soft green Pleasure Gardens Green No.214 walls, Whitehall No.9 mantelpiece and a fir garland — Left, Pleasure Gardens Green No.214 walls and a Whitehall No.9 mantel with a fir garland; right, the same green up a staircase hall

Farmhouse stair hall with soft green Pleasure Gardens Green No.214 walls, Whitehall No.9 balusters and eucalyptus wound along the handrail — Left, Pleasure Gardens Green No.214 walls and a Whitehall No.9 mantel with a fir garland; right, the same green up a staircase hall

This season, less is more!

Take an understated, sophisticated approach to what can be an explosion of tinsel, baubles and ornaments by choosing a simpler colour story for your table or trees. White and metallic Christmas trees and poinsettias are making a play for the minimalist spotlight, as are white and metallic tablescapes with a simple white napkin and a golden napkin holder.

Of all the decorations you unpack this year, bows will matter most; long overlooked, the humble Christmas bow is back with a bang, so go all out with large, luxe bows draping across your space, since simple can create a glam, well-considered look. Another way to embrace the minimalist feel is simple foliage, decorate doorways, entryways, staircases and mantelpieces with eucalyptus or minimal greenery mixed with lights, or a few pinecones, for a touch of minimalist magic.

We've been dreaming of a blue Christmas

This year's colour of Christmas is the all-powerful, protective, loyal blue! The blue Christmas trend has gone all out, with blue trees trending, all-blue ornaments, and all-blue tablescapes and place settings. Blue lights add to the drama, so try a hint of blue throughout your décor, make a statement with a sensational blue front door and a blue-themed wreath, and go all out with blue gift wrap for the presents under the tree. A blue Santa? Maybe that's too far!

Stone farmhouse parlour with deep blue Bond Street No.219 walls and a spruce hung with cobalt and ice-blue baubles — Bond Street No.219 walls behind a tree dressed all in blue in a farmhouse parlour

Whether you're exploring a new twist on a classic Christmas, redecorating your living room or planning a small DIY project, we have the inspiration to deck your halls for a festive look. Mylands is coming to town! Merry Christmas and a happy new home.

How do I choose a Christmas theme colour?

First, think about how you want to feel and how you want your guests to feel, whether you're recreating Christmases past or starting new traditions. What are you working with, a large open area or a more intimate space? That can help you decide between lighter and darker colours. Think about your existing schemes and how you want to enhance them: metallics add sparkle and glamour, while natural greens add comfort, reassurance and an air of nostalgic tradition, and are ideal for DIY displays. For more colour scheme ideas, visit our House of Colour blog.