Whether you celebrate Christmas, Hanukkah or Kwanzaa, holiday decorating helps us enjoy what would otherwise be a dark and gloomy time of year. We’re all over holiday decorating here at Laurysen, so I thought I would share some of the most popular styles we’re seeing this year.

This year we saw a lot of trends in home fashion that are going strong, especially Scandinavian, rustic, and the mix-and-match of traditional and contemporary. It’s no surprise that these themes are fuelling a lot of what we’re seeing for the holidays.

1. Natural Textures

Think nature and tactile appeal. Wood, faux fur and feathers are showing up on a lot of Pinterest boards and blogs. As the overall burlap/rustic trend is still going strong, it’s showing up some really beautiful nature-themed ornaments. Combine these with the traditional appeal of pine or spruce boughs for colour contrast, or even dress it up with something sparkly. Whether you go rustic or glam with this approach, it’s a sure-fire win in 2014.

2. Gold and Silver

Metallics are very hot again this year, especially softer golds (sometimes called “champagne”) and frosted silvers. You’ll have no trouble finding silver trees in a wonderful range of styles, from “real” to fantastically futuristic.

3. Let It Snow

The frosted look is showing up on trees, tree ornaments and even on mantles and tables. This goes particularly well with rustic themes, but it can also provide an amazing backdrop for sparkle and shine.

4. Stag’s Head Anything

Yes, this trend is still going strong; it’s the new “Keep Calm and Carry On”. We’re seeing them in metal, cardboard, in ceramic and even stuffed toys!

5. Vintage

Upcycled, recycled, or borrowed from your grandmother’s collection, old fashioned decorations allows us to think about what’s changed, what’s fresh all over again, and the timeless things that really matter. Mid-century motifs like spiky starbursts will help if you love contemporary design but still want to indulge in holiday decorating.

6. Bling

Rhinestones add sparkle and holiday magic to your décor – ornaments everywhere are covered in crystals. If you’re ready for some ballroom glamour, you won’t have to look far to find it this year.

7. Home Made…Or At Least Looking It

We’re seeing a lot of DIY and DIY-style garlands and ornaments this year – especially paper cut outs like snowflakes and stars. If you’re crafty, you can have a lot of fun and be thrifty at the same time! To make holiday decorating a family affair, get the kids involved making paper chains and snowflakes. You may end up with a keepsake you’ll treasure for years to come.

As with all décor, the magic happens when you combine items that contrast for a delightful effect. If you have a lot of soft colours or woods that play together nicely, go for a pop of colour. If you’ve got a lot of colour in your home, pick a style and colour that provides a classic touch. If you do it right, there are no rules, and you can create a style that’s all your own. Above all, have fun decorating and enjoy this special time of the year!