Deck The Halls! Christmas & New Year Styling Tips

The festive season is in full swing, and if you’re ready to sprinkle a little magic around your home, The Platform Edit has you covered! Our resident expert, Rebecca Jones from Edward Thomas Interiors Thomas Interiors reveals her top decorating tips, from subtle, elegant detailing to super stylised festive flair. Plus Rebecca shares a sneak peek at the trends set to shine this year…

What are 2025’s popular colours and themes?

One theme that’s trending this year is Ancient Wonders. This draws inspiration from the natural world and blends elegant neutrals with rich metallics and frosty blues. At Lockview at Middlebeck, we’ve dressed the Lockton showhome to reflect this style, so it includes a sophisticated tablescape with tiered candle stand, winter foliage runner and sculpted wooden trees and pine cones, as well as pops of bronze, navy and ice blue alongside layered lighting to create an enchanting Christmas décor.

Another style that’s gone viral on TikTok is Ralph Lauren Christmas. This blends luxury and heritage with the traditional Christmas aesthetic. Think reds, greens and gold mixed with tartan throws, roaring log fires, evergreen foliage, plush textures. It’s familiar, comforting, and offers a nostalgic alternative to the glitter and glamour.

Where should I start with Christmas styling?

Break it down into three key elements. A wreath on the front door, your Christmas tree and your Christmas table. In most new build houses, the open plan layout lends itself perfectly to creating a coherent style that starts as you walk in and continues through the house. Select two or three complementary colours/metals and use these to establish your look.

When it comes to Christmas trees, my advice is to think about its positioning. Ideally, you want it to be visible from as many rooms as possible as it’s often the centre point for celebrations. However, if there isn’t an obvious place, don’t be afraid to go without! At Trentside, we opted not to include a tree and instead, we accentuated the Dallington’s existing interiors by keeping Christmas detailing more refined. So you’ll find clusters of themed ornaments, delicate foliage, and exquisite gift parcels.

What about elsewhere in the home?

There’s a temptation to only decorate the rooms your guests will see but remember you are dressing for you as well as visitors! If it brings you joy, then add seasonal styling to other places in your home. Mantlepieces and windowsills are fantastic spots for a dusting of Christmas magic. Similarly, if you have staircase spindles, adding greenery to these can create a really festive feel.

Actually, the upstairs is often overlooked when it comes to Christmas décor. At Lockview at Middlebeck and Trentside, we’ve added gift parcels to each bedroom, collections of ornaments to bedside tables and in the nursery at Trentside, created a beautiful ‘My First Christmas’ design with toys, books and cushions.

I’m limited on time, how can I add Christmas quickly?

If you’re looking for an easy win, then simple tricks like switching your home fragrance can make a big impact. Reed diffusers with a classic Christmas scent, perhaps a pine, cinnamon or gingerbread, will immediately make your home feel more festive.

Similarly, change your bedding to a Christmas design. This doesn’t have to be themed (unless you want it to!), and could have classic Christmas or Alpine colours, or a check, gingham or striped pattern. Next, Habitat, M&S Home and many of the supermarkets all have great stripe options as these have been a strong trend this year.

What about styling for New Year’s Eve?

New Year is all about adding sparkle and luxury. In the kitchen at Lockview at Middlebeck, we’ve dressed the dining area for a fabulous celebration. At the dining table we’ve introduced a champagne colour into the table linen and paired this with elegant gold glassware, leaf garland, and sparkling confetti. This is framed by a New Year’s backdrop of paper star wall hangings and bunting, ensuring an evening to remember!