The Holiday Decor Trick That Makes Any Room Feel Instantly Expensive
Here is the truth. Christmas decorating is not about buying more things. It is about elevating what you already own, and there is one styling move designers keep coming back to during the holiday season because it always works.
Draped greenery.
Not the stiff plastic garlands. Real or very realistic trailing greenery. Ivy, smilax, cedar and pine. Anything with a soft shape and a little movement. It transforms places you normally leave untouched. A chandelier becomes enchanting. A mantel feels fuller. A doorway suddenly turns into a moment. A vintage painting or old piece of furniture instantly looks more interesting just by letting a little greenery spill around it.
Christopher Horwood Photography
The magic is in the looseness. You want that effortless, gathered-from-the-forest look. Something that feels alive. Something that softens every hard line in a room and brings in a bit of natural drama without trying too hard. It is old world cottage Christmas energy at its finest.
Christopher Horwood Photography
If you want the trendier version, add ribbon. Lots of ribbon. Velvet, satin, grosgrain. Deep reds, warm corals, rich greens, glowing ambers. The look right now leans into long drapey strands instead of perfect bows. The ribbons move when someone walks by and instantly warm up a room with almost no effort or cost. It is festive without being fussy and luxurious without costing more than a small spool.
Christopher Horwood Photography
You can give your table the same treatment. Layer your dishes instead of keeping them matchy matchy. Bring out mismatched glasses or thrifted pieces. Use fruit as decor. Pomegranates, grapes and persimmons add color and a still life feeling that makes the whole table look thoughtful and inviting. It feels alive, it photographs beautifully and it looks far more intentional than another run for holiday-themed plastic decor.
Christopher Horwood Photography
The best part is that you probably already have most of what you need. A few branches, a bit of ribbon, your regular dishes and whatever fruit you have in the house. This year, skip the big box holiday overload and try the greenery and ribbon approach. It is sustainable, simple, affordable and it somehow always looks expensive.
-Juliette