Christmas tree trends – H&G's pick of the best new decorating looks for the holidays

If you're looking to elevate your tree decor to another level this Christmas, you've come to the right place. Too often people head straight for tradition, hanging the same decorations year after year... but what if you long for something new? 

Ranging from classic, country-style Christmas looks, to bright and bold color combinations, all-out luxe drama to delicate subtle shimmering schemes, there's a tree trend to suit your decorating style for the holiday season. 

You don't necessarily need to go for a complete tree makeover either. You can easily reinvent your look with a few additions, such as mixing in a few new baubles or quirky decorations to refresh your tree look for 2021.

Our pick of the latest Christmas tree trends will help you set the scene for an extra special Christmas this year with a beautiful tree taking center stage, dressed to impress with the latest decorations. 

• See more: Christmas decorating ideas – create welcoming looks with a sense of occasion

1. Red, white and blue

A traditional Christmas color palette of red and green can be given an instant  refresh by swapping out the green decorations for blue designs instead. 

A perfectly patriotic color theme, the look is kept light and bright by the addition of plenty of white, both in accessories and furnishing as well as simple write tree lights.

2. Nordic luxe

A Nordic-style scheme is a winner for the holiday season, conjuring up images of snowy landscapes and cozy, hygge interiors full of flickering candlelight. 

Choose a mix of white, glass and silver baubles to allow the foliage to be the star. Traditional Nordic trees are often decorated with real candles, but you can fake the look with LED alternatives. 

Pile animal skins around the bottom of the tree to introduce warmth and natural texture, and maximise sparkle with classic silver lametta, strung over the tree’s branches. 

3. Keep it simple

Dial back on the decorations this year with a beautiful tree decorating in a smattering of warm white lights and an elegant tree topper. This look works particularly well if you have something else in your space, like a sofa in a bold share or a colorful rug. 

There's nowhere for your tree to hide with this look so make sure you have the fullest, most symmetrical tree you can find.

4. Touch of frost

Create a magical winter wonderland with a frost-tipped tree and decorations in icy tones of white, glass and the palest of blues. 

Baubles in a variety of finishes – misted glass, glittered, patterned – are given a fun spin when combined with ski-inspired decorations such as snowflakes, gondola cars and chair lifts, yet the pared-back palette makes sure the scheme stays sophisticated and sumptuous.

5. Color pop

Go big on fun this year, with vibrant decorations that really pack a color punch. If your home’s already a color-lover’s dream, pick one of your accent shades and build your tree’s scheme around it – layering a generous mix of bright, candy-coloured baubles in varying sizes. 

This look works just as well in a neutral interior, too, as it gives you a blank canvas to work with. A frosty artificial tree means the baubles will really pop against the white branches. 

6. Pared back beauty

If you prefer your room to be more decorated than your tree, a simple tree without any decorations will ensure the tree doesn't clash. 

'Your home is a reflection of you and your personality, and this applies just as much if not more so to seasonal decorations as year-round interiors,' says Martin Waller, Founder of Andrew Martin. 

'For example, my treasured collection of old toys take centre stage at Christmas time. Winter is also all about layering, too. I use textures like wool and fur alongside kilim fabrics; rich autumnal and wintery colours.'

7. Royal salute

The Regal Christmas collection from Amara (opens in new tab) champions traditional Christmas colors, using them in an opulent and theatrical decorating scheme. 

Gold, deep bottle green, rich red and burgundy tick all the festive boxes, and are elevated thanks to luxe selection of finishes and patterns, from glittered to beaded, velvet to plaid. 

Royal-inspired motifs play a big role, too, with stags, crowns and fleur-de-lis all jostling for attention among the lavish bows and glittering baubles.

8. Warm blush

Blush pink is a key colour trend for Christmas 2020.

 Pretty and feminine, soft pink is a versatile shade, often used as a warm neutral in interior design, with paint shades such as Farrow & Ball’s Sulking Room Pink and Peignoir among the popular paint hues. 

‘This soft and pretty colour is still quite new for customers at Christmas,’ says Jason Billings-Cray, Partner & Christmas Shop Buyer at John Lewis & Partners (opens in new tab). 

For this Christmas take on pink, the pink has been balanced out with orange, copper and dark chocolate for a look that has all the rich warmth of a classic festive scheme, but with a modern twist. 

9. Jewel tones

Richly saturated hues such as sapphire blue, amethyst purple and emerald green are a wonderful color combination at Christmas and they team perfectly with the deep matt background of a fresh tree. You can lift the look further using plenty of gold accents, on lights, ribbons or simple glass baubles.

10. Art Nouveau

Celebrate the season with exuberance and drama, taking the very start of the 20th Century and the elaborate decorative style of Art Nouveau as your inspiration. 

Not one for minimalists, this scheme is opulent and extravagant with an abundance of luxe materials such as silk, cut glass and velvet. Peacock blues are the accent of choice here, from deep royal blue to pops of vivid teal. 

Decorations are a riot of quirky designs in a variety of shimmering finishes, including animal print and peacock feather. 

11. Rustic elegance

Keep it simple for an elegant scheme that heroes the natural beauty of the tree itself. 

Festoon the whole tree generously with warm white fairy lights, nestled deeply among the branches for maximum twinkle. 

One, carefully selected tree decoration, repeated across the branches, works perfectly for a pared-back look that has a quiet, understated sense of style. Choose a hanging decoration with interest such as a beaded wreath, or fluted bauble to maintain a level of luxury. 

12. Midas touch

Gold is a perennial Christmas favourite that adds classic glamour and to any interior. Give it a smart update to suit a more modern aesthetic, by mixing in decorations in monochrome shades. 

Black and white provides a sharp contrast – combine bold, graphic patterns such as stripes or spots, with plain baubles in white, black or charcoal grey, and then fill the spaces in between with plenty of gold baubles in a variety of shapes and sizes to reflect all the lights and make the tree really sparkle.  

13. Deep tones

If you’ve embraced the continuing trend for dark blue in interiors this year, and chosen for moody blue for your walls, this festive decorating scheme will go with the colour perfectly to create a vibrant space that feels intimate and cosy. 

Pink is a great accent to bring out the navy hue, just add gold accessories to dress the whole look up for the Christmas period. 

14. Country classic

One for traditionalists, the classic Christmas palette of red, green and gold can look smart and refined if styled up with restraint. 

A mixed collection of heirloom baubles and tree decorations will feel unified when spaced out among the beautiful green foliage, giving each space to breathe, so that the overall effect is not too busy. 

Add plain glass baubles in reds and metallics to balance out the more characterful decorations – they’ll also catch the light to add just the right amount of sparkle. 

15. Go all silver

This is what John Lewis (opens in new tab) is called 'Impressionism' last year – using all of the colors of snow. 

‘Impressionism was my favorite theme for 2020,’ says Jason Billings-Cray, Partner and Christmas Shop Buyer, John Lewis & Partners. ‘The Impressionist art movement contains some of my most-loved artists, including Monet. They’ve given us a new take on the traditional snow theme, capturing the idea that snow isn’t just white, but has an iridescent quality – it can be white, pink, blue, green and purple.’

Jason's favorite pick of these decorations is this water-lily silver bauble (opens in new tab) – it's the perfect size to be used as a table decoration, too.

• See more: How to care for a Christmas tree – our guide to having the healthiest centerpiece this season

What colors are trending for Christmas 2021?

‘Rainbow colours are proving to be a big hit so far,’ continues Jason.  ‘Customers want to have a bright and fun Christmas this year.’ 

As well as rainbow colours, the other shades vying for attention for Christmas 2021 include blush pinks, and strong blues. 

What types of decorations are trending this year?

‘This year there will be a strong desire to bring the outdoors in, with an emphasis on greenery and festive foliage, so we have an array of leafy garlands and natural looking décor to cater to this,’ says Sam Hood, Creative Director & Head of Buying at Amara (opens in new tab).

When should I put up my Christmas tree?

Tradition says your Christmas tree should go up at the beginning of Advent, which this year falls on Sunday 28 November, so if you haven't put yours up yet, now's the time!

At the other extreme, when Christmas trees first appeared in our homes, the tree would be put up on the afternoon of Christmas Eve. 

If you’re going for a fresh tree, you might want to wait till mid December to make sure your tree stays in tip-top condition throughout the Christmas period. 

Find out more about when to put up a Christmas tree here.