Our 25 Absolute Favorite Christmas Tree Decorating Ideas for 2023
It’s the most wonderful time of the year, and you may have already begun the festivities by decorating your home, exclusively switching to peppermint mochas, and scouring Target for the latest holiday goodies from Chip and Joanna Gaines. However, one of our most favorite things to do during the holiday season is decorate the Christmas tree (or five).
We’ve collected 25 clever Christmas tree decorating schemes from AT house tours, bloggers, and more to inspire an entirely new aesthetic for 2023. From laid-back Scandinavian flair to retro kitsch and all-out glam, there’s sure to be a brilliant tree that sparks just the inspiration you need to decorate your own in an exciting new way this year.
1. The Naturalistic Tree
The easiest ever way to trim a tree that has a naturalistic appeal? Using dried or faux flower stems. You can try bunny tails as filler, which you can see here in this Brooklyn showhouse decorated by Anthropologie in partnership with Pinterest, or consider hydrangeas or baby’s breath. Even better — and more inexpensive — if you can source the flowers in your garden!
2. The Ombré Tree
Turn your Christmas tree into a metallic ombré display with Twinkly’s Strings (the Silver & Gold Edition). Available in several different lengths and with various numbers of bulbs, these LEDs twinkle and shine in shades that range from warm golds and cool whites to shimmery silvers in between. Everything is controlled via an app, and you can change your tree up on a whim for a fun display all season long.
3. The Pretty in Pink-mas Tree
Designers Bob and Cortney Novogratz of the Novogratz really know how to make a design statement, even at the holidays. When you punctuate a room layered in festive plaids with a pop of pink, as they did in their New York City home with this sugary sweet tree, there’s no need for ornaments or much other decor. Let your pink tree do all the talking!
4. The Coastal Charm Tree
HomeGoods style expert and designer Jenny Reimold decked out a pair of trees in a charming coastal theme, which works well in her Florida home. She added small sailboat figurines, wooded beaded garlands, and on-theme ornaments to the mix and created fullness via lengths of wide ribbon placed vertically on the tree. “This gives the trees some visual contrast and makes them look fuller and more robust without overwhelming the eyes,” Reimold says.
5. The Sugary Sweet Christmas Tree
Your household is sure to have visions of sugarplums dancing in their heads with an extra-sweet tree like this. Petite Haus brings in the holiday spirit with a flocked tree covered with festive ornaments inspired by everyone’s favorite treats: donuts, ice cream, gingerbread cookies, and more.
6. The Retro Christmas Tree
When you have a house filled with 100 Christmas trees (yes, you read that right!) during the holidays, it’s important that they all stand out. We especially love how homeowner Jennifer Perkins embraces her retro side with this technicolor tree complete with tinsel and vintage-inspired ornaments. Check Etsy and John Derian for fun retro picks.
7. The Glam Christmas Tree
There’s no need to hide your penchant for the finer things at Christmastime, and this tree by @hopeandjadeinteriors is sure to inspire the glamazons in all of us. White, pink, and gold accents will add some chic elegance to your holiday tree, and some luxurious ribbon makes a perfect garland.
8. The Farmhouse Christmas Tree
If you like a farmhouse aesthetic when it comes to holiday decorating, take a cue from Love Grows Wild and swap out the tinsel for pine cones on your tree. There are also jingle bells, tufts of cotton, and snowflake ornaments, but the star of the show is the white bulbs in various sizes.
9. The Ski Lover’s Tree
Dreaming of a white Christmas and powdery slopes this year? Whether you’ll be able to ski or not, this tree idea from The Lilypad Cottage feels fun and festive for however you plan to spend the holiday season.
10. The Minimal Scandinavian Tree
Featuring a wooden garland, tree cut-out ornaments, and simple bulbs all in varying shades of white and silver, this tree from Homey Oh My is the perfect Scandinavian template to inspire.
11. The Pom Pom Tree Topper
For those who want to shake up the traditional red-and-green color scheme or just have a more playful holiday aesthetic, this pom pom tree topper from Oh Joy! is a charming way to channel that style. Plus, it makes for a fun DIY project.
12. The Floral Tree
Another idea for those that want to go the nontraditional route this year is to create a floral-themed tree. This one from Design Love Fest incorporates citrus colors in the form of daisies, peonies, and more. You can always blend in ornaments with this design to keep things semi-traditional.
13. The White and Gold Tree
This dreamy white themed tree makes us think of snowy evenings by the fire and walks in freshly fallen snow. Pull inspiration from The Decorated House, paying special attention to the white bulbs in varied sizes, the dripping icicle ornaments, and the bold, snowflake adornments to fashion your own version at home.
14. The Grayscale Tree
If your favorite look, no matter what the occasion, is gray and white, then Dear Lillie has you covered. She created a grayscale tree that’s still plenty festive while lending to that sleek and elegant side of your aesthetic.
15. The Kitschy Tree
If you want to skip the “Pottery Barn normality” of the holidays, as Aunt Peaches puts it, then this color-bombed tree can be the answer to your eclectic prayers. Check out her blog to see how to make the colorful yarn tassels, drinking straw ornaments, and glitter-bombed pinecones for a one-of-a-kind tree.
16. The Honeycomb Tree
If you have little kids or an unruly cat that likes to pull down all the ornaments, try swapping out the glass ornaments for playful honeycombs like Lovely Indeed did. Or if you gravitate towards a more decorated tree, you can try adding small honeycombs into the mix of your usual ornamentation to get the same feel.
17. The Red & White Scandinavian Tree
Make your tree feel like one giant holiday stocking with this cozy red-and-white aesthetic. From mini birdhouses, cloth ornaments, and simple heart and tree cut-outs, this design from Pippa Jameson Interiors is a cozy way to ring in the holidays.
18. The Bunted Tree
Channeling a modern barn house aesthetic, this simple tree with red and white bunting and snowflake decor from The Wood Grain Cottage is a fun and simple look that comes together in minutes.
19. The Blue and White Christmas Tree
Blue and white is one of our all-time favorite color combinations, even at Christmas! The team atThe Enchanted Home designed a show-stopping tree complete with ginger jar-inspired ornaments and plenty of red ribbon to feel traditionally festive.
20. The Elf Trees
Whether you want them on your porch or tucked away into a corner in your apartment, these adorable elf trees from Moa Home is the perfect DIY to add a touch of whimsy into your living space.
21. The Geometric Tree
A geometric tree brings something modern and fresh to your holiday decor. You can go all in, like Lia Griffith did with her tree, or you can borrow a few accents from this contemporary design. Whether you like the felt garland, the outlined stars, or geometric ornaments, you can pick and choose the elements that speak to you.
22. The All Honeycomb Tree
If you have a holiday party coming up and want something festive and eye-catching in your living room, this honeycomb tree from Sugar & Cloth offers a fun punch of color. It’s also a great project to do together as a family and will give you the excuse to make a collection of them to fill your home with.
23. The Clustered Pom Pom Tree Topper
Bored with the usual star-on-top blueprint? Try this quirky pom pom tree topper DIY from Sugar & Cloth to shake things up this year.
24. The Black & White Tree
If you love a classic black and white motif, then this tree by Destiny from Just Destiny is for you. Featuring black and white striped ribbons, marbled ornaments, flocked branches, and mini sleds, this is a great way to stay festive while still pulling off a black and white color scheme.
25. The Funky Femme Tree
Another unique tree design from the Austin abode with 100 Christmas trees, This pink and orange tree aesthetic spreads throughout the living room and gives the space a festive but more upbeat vibe. The quirky tree topper is the perfect finishing touch.