If there is a predominant trend we’re seeing in 2020 holiday décor, it’s a return to basics. While there will always be a place for glitz and glam at Christmas, this year we’re finding a return to simplicity, and nothing is simpler than nature.
All hearts come home for the holidays is more than a catch phrase, it’s a sentiment. We decorate to create a mood, to invite that dreamy nostalgia that is the magic of Christmas. In fact, most thoughts of Christmas bring us home – either through fond memories or a literal return to the place where the memories are made. If that idea invokes a warm feeling, it’s because someone created that for us as children. As adults, we want to provide our loved ones with that same special experience.
2020 holiday décor trends are being driven by a renewed sense of the importance of family and the simple joys we may have been overlooking in years past, where perhaps we were hyper-focused on the ‘doing’ in our lives instead of the living of our lives.
In a return to simplicity, real Christmas trees, grandma’s ornaments, traditional colors, lights – lots of lights, and nostalgia are all among the top favorites right now, but the biggest trend we’re finding is, Nature Sings in 2020!
We’re devoted advocates of fresh over faux, and we’ve got some ideas to make your home a warm and cozy holiday space, that will not only tie in with any theme but will also soothe the senses with the splendors of nature.
Nature Sings & Soothes
Research shows that simply spending time in nature reduces stress or anxiety and results in an elevated mood. By introducing elements of nature in your holiday décor, you can invite the feelings of well-being and security that make coming home for the holidays a restorative experience.
Subtle Aromatherapy
Pine scent is bottled and sold by the millions every day as a favorite essential oil for lifting our mood. You can subtly bring guests to a festive state of mind with a fresh pine scent by placing a welcoming Balsam wreath (link TBD) on the front door or throughout the house. Use fresh greens and roping on the porch, around doorways, the mantle or staircase. Fill planters, vases, or any container with pine boughs, boxwood or holly and add other decorative pieces to match your theme. These touches build anticipation on a path that leads to the heart of the home, where the undeniably pleasant fragrance of a fresh pine Christmas tree is sure to set the mood.
Orange invokes happiness, cinnamon represents warmth and cloves calm. Simmer these scents or create decorations from cinnamon sticks and dried citrus, or craft pomander balls – clove-studded oranges. The tradition of making pomander ball decorations is a perfect return to simpler things and is in itself, a therapeutic exercise in creativity.
Gingerbread is also expected to be big this year. This home-baked activity is a beloved tradition, and the smell of this sugary and savory treat is guaranteed to warm the hearts of all who enter.
Fresh flowers are the simplest to introduce as décor, yet they have the strongest positive impact on the senses. Flowers are proven to stimulate dopamine, oxytocin and serotonin, the happy brain chemicals. Use fresh flowers to reach all the senses by creating multiple vignettes around the house, using decorations arranged around floral bouquets.
Quiet Comforts
The illusion of touch is conveyed through visual texture. There are many opportunities here to bring about a sense of familiarity. Our Cranberry Flannel Tree with its glossy green leaves is evocative of peace and security. The buffalo plaid ribbon and flannel ornaments lend a cozy warmth.
Wood in all forms is a grounding textile. Log slices are popular as pedestals for plants, tabletop trees, floral arrangements and to showcase décor pieces. Birch twigs, branches and bark are a perfect backdrop to highlight holiday colors.
Joy On Sight
We know that just viewing scenes of nature increases pleasant feelings to reduce blood pressure, heart rate, muscle tension, and the production of stress hormones. Bring more of the outdoors in, with elements and colors found in nature.
The holidays can be difficult for some, and over stimulation can induce greater anxiety. A more serene vibe can be achieved with neutral hues of brown and beige using natural materials such as raffia, burlap, wicker, wood, jute, craft paper, twine or hemp. These pair nicely with pinecones, acorns, tree branches. Balance with pops of color from other ornaments, cranberries, winterberry or holly berries to avoid a depressingly bland color scheme.
White is the most neutral color and has a visual calming effect, like freshly fallen snow. Speaking of snow, “snow flocked” decorations are probably the biggest trend we’re seeing in 2020 holiday décor. While artificial flocking is not the most natural approach, we like the peacefulness it lends to natural elements, so we’re on board!
For the tree, try tucking berries, contrasting greens and fresh flowers with water picked stems, or even feathers into branches. Add popcorn, cranberry or citrus garlands and forest animal ornaments to build an old-fashioned theme, reminiscent of simpler times.
The greatest holiday trend remains, family. No matter what is going on in the world outside, we hope that your holiday home is a welcome haven of love, security and wellness in 2020.
Cheers to all!
Studley’s – A Holiday Home Décor Tradition
In our floral gift shop, decorating for Christmas is our favorite time of year, when the nature we nurture here gets to shine its brightest! During the holidays we’ll have a selection of fresh plants, wreaths, roping, greens and nature-inspired craft materials at the ready in store to fulfill your 2020 holiday décor dreams.
Each arrangement in our Christmas Collection is inspired by nature with fresh flower arrangements that incorporate elements of wood, pinecones, birch, animals, berries and fragrant seasonal greenery.
My Pro Tip
A great design trick is to stage lots of fresh potted Poinsettia and other holiday plants, such as Christmas Cactus, Amaryllis, Cyclamen or Peace Lily to build a real outdoor feel with lush foliage. Place them around the tree, on the mantle, line the staircase or in groups for big impact.
These plants can live on long after holidays with proper care, so it’s a sound investment if you’re a plant lover. If that’s more commitment than you are ready for, we’ll let you in on a little secret…
You can stock up on holiday plants that will serve to complement your décor until Christmas. You will only need to care for them for a few weeks until guests arrive, then you can give them away as gifts. It’s a win-win, and a great fail-safe for when you need to reciprocate with a gift unexpectedly, or if you want to offer a parting favor.
See you at Studley’s
