6 holiday decor mistakes to avoid this season

Maria Sabella, BHG.com on Nov 19, 2024

With the holiday season upon us, it’s hard to avoid the constant barrage of seasonal decor ideas. Social media pages are constantly promoting the latest trends, while store aisles are covered in ornaments, wreaths, and other products. But how much decor do you really need?

We called on design experts to share their thoughts on the mistakes to avoid when getting ready for the year's festivities. The biggest takeaway? Don’t feel pressured to embrace every new trend or buy all the new decor products available. Stick with timeless pieces and build on those, opting for a “less is more” approach — except for when it comes to twinkle lights.

So, before you dust off your boxes of decorations, here’s what the experts have to say about the most common holiday decor mistakes — and how to avoid them. Deck the halls in style with these designer-approved tips.

1. Don’t go over the top.

“Burying the holiday spirit in too many things can be counterproductive at the end of the day,” says Vy Truong, co-founder of Very Handsome Studio. Too many focal points can overwhelm a space and even your favorite decorations will ultimately end up getting lost in the sea of decor.

Instead of giving in to the temptation to go over the top with holiday decor in order to achieve a festive look, go for a “less is more” approach. There’s a practical benefit to a more minimalist approach to holiday decorating too — you’ll have fewer pieces to put away once the festivities are over.

2. Avoid a dimly lit Christmas tree.

When in doubt, always add more twinkle lights. Interior designer Bianca Ecklund stresses the importance of lights when it comes to holiday decor. “An under-lit tree can be dull,” she says. To avoid this common mistake, make sure you have plenty of strands of both indoor and outdoor lights for a festive feel and to brighten the dark, dreary days of winter. “Light it up for all to see — you can never have too many lights,” Ecklund says.

3. Skip the pressure to embrace every new trend

Adding new pieces to your Christmas collection every year is part of what makes holiday decorating fun, but don’t feel pressured to embrace and incorporate every single new holiday trend. “New and beautiful things grace our feeds hourly once September starts rolling around, but don't fall for every trendy wreath that you see,” Truong says. She suggests you start by picking a color palette and adds, “Try desperately to stick with the design parameters you've set out for yourself.”

4. Don't buy holiday decor that doesn't last.

“Don’t buy something just because every store you go in is screaming at you to do so,” says Annie Oberman, principal designer at Forge & Bow. Instead, be intentional about your purchases and make thoughtful choices that make sense for your overall collection of Christmas decorations. ‘Make sure your purchases really enhance your overall home for the holidays,” Oberman says. She points out the importance of opting for timeless pieces instead of overly commercialized decor. “I think it is a gift to allow your house to evolve overtime, finding the classics that you love and building on that year over year,” she says.

5. Don’t forget about the environment.

“Avoid purchasing chintzy decor that will end up in a landfill,” suggests interior designer Amy Youngblood. She recommends choosing pieces that will last and are meaningful, and can be passed down as a special holiday heirloom. “Not only will it elevate your space and look nice, it is much better for the environment,” she adds. Investing in timeless and high-quality holiday decor also saves money in the long run, since you're not forced to add to or replace decorations every year.

6. Avoid using all the decorations you own

While it can be tempting to put up all the holiday decorations you’ve ever purchased, this typically just makes a space look cluttered. “Keep it simple — just because you have it all doesn’t mean it should all be out,” Ecklund says. She recommends a more intentional approach to Christmas decorating. “Pick a theme or color scheme and stick with it, and keep everything else tucked away for next year,” she says.

(Better Homes and Gardens is a magazine and website devoted to ideas and improvement projects for your home and garden, plus recipes and entertaining ideas. Online at www.bhg.com.)