5 exciting ways to update your Christmas decorating style

There’s nothing quite like the thrill of unboxing the first decorations of the season: sparkling glass ornaments carefully cocooned in newspaper from the year before, longing to be displayed and admired. But wouldn’t it be wonderful if we could take these treasured decorations and style them in a way that is fresh for 2018?

These easy ideas will show you how to style your decorations for maximum impact – minimal fuss and shopping required. Grab a mince pie and let’s dive in.

Layered with traditional tartan, this classic look oozes comfort and class.

If a glance around your festive living room reveals a roaring fire, branches of evergreen and a grand tree decked out with russet and emerald baubles, you might have a penchant for decorations of a traditional nature. To refresh this classic look for 2018, we recommend giving your rooms a subtle, Highland twist.

Instead of conventional red tartan, opt for stockings, cushions or throws in muted, amber shades in soft wool or brushed cotton and, rather than extravagant evergreen garlands, try fresh, fragrant displays of ivy or eucalyptus. And if you’re looking for an extra-special Scottish touch, you can’t go wrong with a few stag-shaped baubles and an antique decanter of Scotch whisky on a shelf or side table.

Frosty, white and ever so sparkly, this contemporary look is more than a little bit magical

There is something quite wonderful about an all-white festive scheme.

If you love a look that features frosted greenery, elegant glassware and more than a hint of sparkle, this winter wonderland style will bring a peaceful ambience to period and contemporary homes. Give the look a twist this year by doing away with subtlety altogether and creating a Narnia-esque escape for your guests to marvel at and enjoy.

Display collections of antique glass or porcelain by filling vessels to the brim with elegant white or silver decorations, and extend the theme upstairs by dressing guest bedrooms with crisp white linen and twinkling garlands above the headboards. The finishing touch? A frosted Christmas tree, laden with coordinating baubles.

Mix textures, tints and patterns to achieve this sophisticated retro look

Bring on the fake tree, paper chains, tinsel, lametta, multicoloured lights and retro crockery – Christmastime is the moment to embrace kitsch.

If you have a love for colourful vintage finds but don’t normally feature them in your home, December is the perfect month to experiment. For a look that gives a nod to bygone charm without being overly gaudy, use mismatched chairs and tableware in the dining room and decorate with oversized paper embellishments or vintage paper ephemera in a common colourway to tie it all together.

As far as we’re concerned, more is more when it comes to Christmas – it certainly isn’t the time for holding back. If you’re a self-confessed interiors risk-taker with a leaning towards bold patterns and clashing colours then a maximalist festive scheme will deliver the impact you crave.

For 2018, it’s time to lower the lights and up the saturation. Use an open fire, flickering candles and soft table lamps to illuminate your home, while decking mantelpieces and occasional tables with a myriad of colourful baubles. For a luxurious finish, drape your dining table in sumptuous velvet, or try wrapping gifts in luxe damask wallpaper with silky ribbons.

Ah, Nordic design. Simple yet sophisticated. Practical yet effortlessly chic. Buzz words ‘hygge’ and ‘lagom’ aside, the Scandinavian way of decorating is all about creating a space that is calm, harmonious and welcoming with its white-washed walls, warming natural rugs, raw woodwork and classic Danish seating. And however subtle your tastes, this pared-back look is easy to rejuvenate this Christmas.

Opt for a real Norway Spruce tree decorated with twinkling lights and mixed baubles in white and gold, or try wrapping presents in brown paper and twine for a natural look. Decorate the Christmas table with a sculptural candelabra in silver or brushed brass for a minimalistic centrepiece and keep guests cosy by draping soft sheepskin rugs over chairs.