Christmas Trends for 2026 – I absolutely love this time of year, and there’s something so exciting about starting to think about how we’re going to decorate for Christmas. Every year brings new colours, decorations and ideas, but Christmas 2026 is looking particularly fun.
This year, we’re seeing a real mix of styles. There’s lots of nostalgia, with 80s and 90s-inspired decorations making a comeback, alongside beautiful rich jewel colours, elegant Art Deco details and natural woodland-inspired pieces.
There’s also a move towards Christmas decorating feeling much more personal. Rather than everything matching perfectly, we’re mixing old and new, bringing out decorations that have sentimental value and creating homes that feel festive, welcoming and full of personality.
John Lewis’s 2026 Christmas collections reflect this beautifully, with different themes ranging from vintage and handmade decorations to luxurious metallics, nature-inspired pieces and playful nostalgic designs.
Vogue is also highlighting the return of Art Deco and a wider love of craftsmanship, individuality and nature-inspired design, which all fits beautifully with the direction Christmas decorating is taking this year.
So, whether you love a traditional Christmas, prefer something a little more modern or like to go all-out with your decorations, there really is something for everyone.
Here are the top seven Christmas decorating trends for 2026.
Christmas Trends for 2026
1. 90s & Retro Christmas Nostalgia
I have to admit, this is probably one of my favourite Christmas trends for 2026.
There’s something so lovely about bringing back those traditional, slightly kitsch Christmas decorations that remind us of Christmases when we were younger. Think colourful glass baubles, shiny tinsel, novelty decorations and trees that are full of character rather than perfectly colour-coordinated.
The 80s and 90s are definitely making their presence felt, and I think this trend is going to be particularly popular with anyone who remembers growing up with tinsel-covered trees and boxes of decorations that came out every year.
John Lewis has embraced this playful nostalgia in its 2026 The Enthusiast collection, with fun decorations inspired by childhood memories and pop culture.
And I love the idea of bringing some of that nostalgia into our homes without making everything look exactly as it did decades ago.
The trick is to mix it up.
You could have beautiful glass baubles alongside colourful retro decorations, add a little tinsel to your tree or bring back some of those decorations you’ve had tucked away in the loft for years.
I’m also a big fan of having decorations that actually mean something. Maybe you have one that your children made, a bauble from a special holiday or an ornament that has been passed down through your family.
They don’t have to match.
In fact, that’s what makes this trend so lovely.
It’s about creating a Christmas tree that feels personal, happy and full of memories.
2. Rich Jewel Tones
If you love a Christmas that feels warm and luxurious, you’re going to love the return of rich jewel tones.
Think deep emerald green, ruby red, rich plum, burgundy and beautiful warm golds.
These colours are perfect for Christmas because they instantly make a room feel cosy and inviting. They also work beautifully with traditional greenery, so you can introduce the trend without completely changing your existing decorations.
I particularly love emerald green and deep burgundy paired with gold. It feels classic but still feels really current.
Rather than bright, shiny gold, look out for warmer finishes such as brushed gold, antique gold and aged metallics. These give the whole look a softer, more sophisticated feel.
You can introduce jewel tones in lots of different ways, too. A few new baubles, some velvet ribbon, rich-coloured candles or even some cushions can make a surprisingly big difference.
And if you’re decorating your Christmas table, why not try deep green or burgundy napkins with gold details, brass candlesticks and plenty of candlelight?
It’s a really easy way to create a beautiful festive table without spending a fortune.
The overall look is cosy, elegant and a little bit glamorous, which is perfect for those lovely winter evenings at home.
3. Art Deco Christmas
One of the trends I’m particularly excited about for 2026 is Art Deco.
Art Deco is having a real moment in interiors and fashion, and Vogue has highlighted its renewed popularity, with its focus on geometric shapes, beautiful materials, craftsmanship and a little bit of glamour.
And honestly, I think it works incredibly well for Christmas.
Think geometric decorations, elegant glass baubles, fan shapes, metallic details, velvet ribbons and beautiful gold and bronze finishes.
You could keep the colour palette quite sophisticated with black, emerald green, champagne, burgundy and gold.
I love that you don’t need to go completely Art Deco to embrace this trend. A few carefully chosen decorations can be enough.
Imagine a Christmas tree with beautiful gold geometric decorations, velvet ribbon and warm white lights. Or a dining table with brass candlesticks, elegant glassware and a few Art Deco-inspired details.
It can look really luxurious without feeling overdone.
For me, the key is to take inspiration from Art Deco rather than trying to recreate a 1920s room.
Keep the beautiful shapes and luxurious textures, but mix them with pieces you already own.
The result is a Christmas that feels elegant, grown-up and wonderfully glamorous.
4. Nature & Woodland Christmas
If you prefer your Christmas decorating to feel cosy and traditional, then the nature and woodland trend is perfect.
I absolutely love bringing natural elements into the home at Christmas. Pinecones, acorns, frosted leaves, berries, wooden decorations and little woodland animals all work beautifully together.
We’re seeing lots of nature-inspired ideas for 2026, with earthy colours, natural textures and flora and fauna continuing to influence interiors.
John Lewis has also embraced this feeling with its The Curator collection, which brings together nature-inspired decorations, frosted fruit, animals and unusual pieces that have a collected, almost treasure-box feel.
Think little deer, foxes, birds and squirrels tucked into your tree, mixed with pinecones, wooden decorations and frosted foliage.
For colours, I’d stick to forest greens, warm browns, creams, soft whites and touches of gold.
This look is particularly lovely if you prefer a more relaxed Christmas. You don’t need everything to be perfectly coordinated and, actually, I think a slightly rustic, collected look makes it even more special.
You could carry the theme through to your dining table, too, with greenery, pinecones and candles creating a really simple but beautiful centrepiece.
It’s cosy, traditional and wonderfully natural, and I think it’s going to be a big favourite this year.
5. Heirloom & Collected Tablescapes
I think we’re going to be paying much more attention to our Christmas tables in 2026.
Rather than buying a completely matching tableware collection, the trend is all about creating a table that feels collected, personal and full of memories.
And this is something I really love.
Bring together your favourite crockery, vintage-style glasses, brass candlesticks and beautiful linens. Add tartan, gingham ribbon or velvet details for that extra festive touch.
You can even use decorations on the table. A few little Christmas trees, miniature wreaths or seasonal ornaments can look lovely alongside your place settings.
And don’t forget those little personal touches.
Handwritten place cards, personalised crackers or a little decoration at each person’s place can make the table feel extra special.
I think the nicest Christmas tables are the ones that don’t look too perfect.
Maybe you have some pieces that belonged to your family, some things you’ve collected over the years and a few new pieces you’ve bought this Christmas.
Put them all together.
That’s what makes it feel like your Christmas.
The wider 2026 design mood is also moving towards craftsmanship, meaningful objects and pieces that feel made to be kept, rather than simply bought for one season.
So don’t worry about everything matching. Mix things up and create a table that tells a little story.
6. Sleek Monochrome
For those of you who prefer a more contemporary Christmas, sleek monochrome is a lovely option.
Think black, charcoal, warm white and brushed gold.
It’s a much more grown-up take on Christmas decorating and works particularly well in modern homes.
Black Christmas decorations might sound a little dramatic, but when they’re combined with warm lighting, greenery and gold accents, they can look incredibly stylish.
I’d keep this look quite simple rather than adding too many decorations.
A tree with black and gold baubles, warm white lights and a beautiful ribbon can look stunning without needing much else.
You can also soften the monochrome colour palette with natural greenery, wooden details or some beautiful foliage.
And, of course, candles are perfect for this look.
There’s something about candlelight against black and gold that feels incredibly cosy and festive.
This is definitely the trend for anyone who loves Christmas with a more sophisticated and minimalist feel.
7. Maximalist Christmas — Indoors and Out
And finally, we have the complete opposite of minimalism: maximalist Christmas decorating.
Basically, if you love Christmas, this is your excuse to go all out!
For 2026, we’re seeing lots of fun, playful and colourful decorating, both inside and outside the home. John Lewis’s 2026 Christmas direction also embraces the idea of going bigger and more playful with festive decorating.
Inside the home, this could mean lots of decorations, oversized bows, colourful baubles, statement pieces and layers of Christmas everywhere you look.
And when it comes to outdoor decorating, the bigger the better.
Think oversized Christmas figures, bright clusters of lights, statement inflatables and beautifully decorated front gardens.
I love seeing homes that really embrace Christmas. There’s something so cheerful about driving through a neighbourhood and seeing houses covered in twinkling lights.
You don’t have to decorate every single inch of your garden, of course. Even one statement decoration combined with lots of lights can look fantastic.
The main thing with maximalism is simply to have fun.
Christmas doesn’t always have to be sophisticated and perfectly coordinated.
Sometimes it can be colourful, playful, nostalgic and just a little bit bonkers.
And I think that’s rather lovely.
What Christmas Style Will You Choose for 2026?
Looking at all of these trends, I think the biggest Christmas trend of 2026 is actually personality.
We’re moving away from the idea that everything needs to match perfectly and towards decorating our homes in a way that feels personal.
You can mix old decorations with new ones. You can bring in a little 90s nostalgia, add some beautiful jewel tones or introduce Art Deco details.
You can create a woodland-inspired tree filled with natural decorations or go completely over the top with colour and sparkle.
There really are no rules.
And I think that’s what makes Christmas decorating so much fun.
For me, the best Christmas homes are never necessarily the ones that look the most perfect. They’re the ones that feel warm, welcoming and full of memories.
So this year, bring out those decorations you’ve had for years, add a few new favourites and create a Christmas that feels like you.
Whether you love traditional, glamorous, modern, natural or completely over-the-top Christmas decorating, 2026 is giving us permission to embrace it.
And honestly, I’m here for it!
Also see how to have a French Style Christmas
