As the holiday season approaches, the excitement for festive decorations grows. This year, the trends for Christmas and holiday decor are a blend of traditional charm and contemporary flair.
We asked resident expert Lesley Bolden, AIFD, senior designer for trends and display at NAPCO Imports, to share some of her best Christmas decor ideas you should consider when decorating your home for the Yuletide season.
1. Woodland themes: Nature’s charm
Woodland themes are all the rage this holiday season. “This style — featuring pine cones, rustic elements, and a harmony of colors — brings the serenity and beauty of nature indoors,” Bolden says. Popular color choices include ice blue, pink quartz, and sage green, offering a refreshing twist to the traditional holiday palette.
2. Classic holiday elegance
The timeless appeal of classic Christmas themes remains strong. The iconic red and green color scheme, enriched with black or white accents, creates a warm and inviting atmosphere. Plaids and traditional Santa decorations add a sense of nostalgia and warmth, perfect for a classic holiday setting.
3. Nostalgic décor: A trip down memory lane
The trend of nostalgic décor is growing, with antique-inspired elements taking center stage. Old-fashioned baubles, vintage Santa figures, and retro designs bring a touch of nostalgia, reminiscent of Christmases past.
4. Nature meets glamour: Metallic finishes
This trend cleverly pairs the rustic appeal of natural elements with the glamour of metallic finishes. Think birch wood combined with champagne gold, or honey-stained wood accented with silver. “This fusion creates a sophisticated yet earthy look, perfect for modern holiday decorations,” Bolden adds.
5. Neutral color palettes: Understated elegance
Neutral color schemes are gaining popularity, especially when paired with natural elements. Cream, white, and beige tones offer a subtle backdrop, allowing decorations like branches, pine cones, and wooden ornaments to shine. “This trend exudes elegance and simplicity,” Bolden says.
Additional Christmas decor ideas to consider
Mixed foliages: A variety of foliage adds depth and texture to floral arrangements and décor .
Candles and candle holders: These create a warm, inviting glow and can be styled to match any theme.
LED light-up décor: Incorporate modern technology for a bright and festive atmosphere.
Lesley Bolden is a member of the American Institute of Floral Designers (AIFD) and has presented at its annual symposium. She researches and sets trends for NAPCO’s vast line of containers, holiday décor, and other gift items. She’s been NAPCO’s senior designer for trends and display for eight years, and has a total of 24 years of experience in the flower industry.
When it’s time to decorate for Christmas, one room usually gets most of our attention — the one where the tree is placed. We also tend to focus on where all the other decorations go, from the holiday village to the Christmas throw pillows to the spice-scented candles. However, we think it’s time to up the holiday spirit and add Christmas decorations all over the house. Not only is spicing up each room with a small decorative element easy to do, but it’ll impress guests and give your home — and your family — an even more festive feel.
These pieces don’t have to be ornate or particularly expensive; adding a well-placed wreath, blanket, or centerpiece in often undecorated spots, such as the bathroom or porch, will do the trick without breaking the bank.
Here are nine of our favorite Christmas decorations for every room of your house. Go on, fully embrace the Christmas spirit.
A wreath and front door go together like hot chocolate and marshmallows, and this rustic evergreen wreath adds a few extra touches that make it both gorgeous and unexpected. First, it’s adorned with cinnamon stick bundles, which means your home will smell like sugar and spice before guests even step inside. And the faux red berries and farmhouse-style striped ribbon add a chic look to a classic decoration.
If you have a screened-in patio or covered porch, or any kind of outdoor space (even a fire escape for you apartment dwellers), you can decorate it with its own little Christmas tree. It’s the perfect way to let your neighborhood know you’re in the holiday spirit, and to gather around and enjoy some hot apple cider outside. This holiday spruce has warm winter lights and comes pre-planted in a holiday planter; plus, you can even replant it once January hits.
Adding Christmas decorations to your bedroom is usually an afterthought (or missed altogether, as it’s typically for hiding presents and you don’t want to draw attention to it), but why not add a festive touch to the room where you sleep? This fun and cheery throw blanket has a classic holiday plaid print and warm sherpa underside. It’s perfect to curl up under as you snuggle in bed while winding down with Christmas movies or, more likely, some online shopping.
I stayed at a friend’s house last holiday season, and they set the guest room up like a little bed and breakfast. Not only did they leave treats, such as local chocolate bars, and handmade soap on my pillow, but they also supplied me with a seasonal mug for my morning coffee. Little touches like that make friends and family feel extra special during the season.
This set, with two ceramic mugs, a festive teapot, and a wooden chest filled with four different holiday teas, acts as both decor and a special way to welcome guests to your home. Remember to ask them to leave you a great review…
This gift basket has two fun pieces of Christmas decorations for a kids room — a soft, gnome-covered throw blanket and plush polar bear — and your child will love the added coziness they bring to their room as the holidays roll along. Of course, they’ll also love the extras that come with it, including a tin of hot cocoa and chocolate-covered popcorn.
Nothing creates a warm and cozy holiday ambience like a garland draped over a fireplace mantel, and this Christmas decoration features natural pine cones, faux red berries, and noble fir. If you want to make it even more festive, add a strand of Christmas lights or some LED candles around it. But no matter how you decorate this garland, it will surely feel like the centerpiece of the room (and may even outshine the tree).
Raspberry-filled galettes are always a welcomed gift, but it’s the jar these cookies come in that will end up grabbing everyone’s attention. This adorable ceramic jar is perfect for the center of a kitchen island or kitchen table. Made to look like a stack of wrapped Christmas presents, it can be used as a place to store holiday treats — such as your famous secret recipe sugar cookies — for years to come.
A dining room table isn’t complete without a centerpiece that ties it all together — especially for a holiday meal. Candlesticks are beautiful, but the ones you’ve been using the past few years have probably burned down to unlightable stubs. Don’t let that get you down. Add a holiday touch with this trio of LED Christmas trees. Each lantern comes in a different shade — evergreen, ivory, and mint — and the star cutouts combined with the lights exude a warm glow. They’re a beautiful way to add more holiday spirit to your next get-together.
My mother always puts a seasonal plant on her guest bathroom windowsill, and it’s such an easy way to add a special touch to a space that isn’t so easy to decorate. This small, bright red poinsettia plant is perfect for that or to add on the side of the sink next to some holiday-scented soap. Plus, it comes wrapped in a felt container that looks similar to the wood on a birch tree.
Your tulips are bursting forth from the ground, or maybe your fall rose bushes are in full bloom. Of course, you want to capitalize on this sudden emergence of natural beauty springing up around you and snip a few choice blossoms to keep around the house. Or perhaps you’ve received several bouquets and want to create a combined look for your entryway. But you want to do your precious petals more justice then just throwing them in a vase and calling it good. So, how can you keep your floral cluster vibrant for a week or longer and make it a bit more eye-catching?
You’re ready to take flower arranging to heart. Betsy Karetnick, founder of The Portable Garden, has taught thousands of people how to arrange flowers, first hosting radio shows on SiriusXM for Martha Stewart and later joining Alice’s Table, where she hosts virtual workshops. (All Alice’s Table events include a kit so you can participate).
Here are nine of Karetnick’s best tips on how to create your own distinctive arrangements that will look beautiful in your home — and last.
1. Think ahead
Before you gather your flowers, think about the spots in your house where you want to add color or interest. Do you have an empty mantel? The height and shape of your arrangement will depend on placement. Also, consider the vases you’ll use, as that will dictate how many flowers you need.
2. Choose your palette
In a home with neutral colors, your floral palette options are as varied as nature. On the other hand, if certain colors stand out in your home décor, your flowers can enhance them. With a deep green velvet sofa, for example, you might choose light, pastel flowers to create contrast on a coffee table.
Complementary colors often work well, too. Remember that it’s not boring to stick with one color — red roses would complement your green couch. You might try several kinds of red flowers and play with texture. “It’s sometimes easier to pick flowers if you’re working monochromatically,” Karetnick says.
Now, looser-style arrangements that create balance are very in vogue.
betsy karetnick
Founder, The Portable Garden and Alice’s Table host
3. Know your vase
A classic cylinder vase with a thin neck is simplest. “I always say, try to keep the diameter of the vase a little bit smaller. It’ll save you money, because you’ll use less flowers, and it will save you angst, which is even better,” Karetnick advises. Square vases require more skill on the flower arranger’s part.
4. Give your blooms a bath
Skipping preparation is a common mistake. Your flowers need a bath when they arrive in your home. Well-hydrated flowers last longer. “When you get flowers, they’ve already traveled from somewhere, even from your own backyard,” Karetnick notes. They’ve begun to dry out, and the stem has formed a scab where it was cut. “A dry stem can’t drink,” she explains.
You may have heard the advice to cut at least a couple of inches from the stems, at an angle. This step allows the flowers to absorb water. For cutting, Karetnick recommends an ARS bypass shear. “You’ll buy one for your lifetime,” she says. The precise, sharp cut promotes hydration.
Florists often submerge all their flowers in a bucket and cut them under the water. Dilute flower food into the water and let the stems drink for at least an hour, or even overnight. Tap water is fine, as long as it’s room temperature. When you’re ready for flower arranging, use a new packet of food and water for the first day. “Once they’re really hydrated, they’re very forgiving,” she notes.
Roses and hydrangeas can be especially tricky and may need as much as 3 to 5 inches cut. For most arrangements, the water should fill at least two-thirds of the vase. For flowers with straw-type stems, such as tulips, use less water or the stem may disintegrate quicker.
5. Keep them hydrated
Water evaporates, so add new water daily. After two or three days, “I will take the flowers out and hold it like a bride bouquet. Swish off the container to clean it with fresh water, and add new room temperature water. I don’t add more food. And I will put the flowers back in and, if I have time, I’ll give them a quarter-inch snip at the bottom so they’re drinking with a fresh cut,” she says.
If you have tight blooms that haven’t yet opened fully — and some sunlight — you’re in luck. These blooms will flourish if you put them in last, higher up. In the next days, they should start to open.
6. Location, location, location
You knew where your vase would go — and now, with arrangement, you can make the most of that spot. On a side table or coffee table, aim for more width, roughly twice as wide as the vase. For a dinner table vase, put your elbow on the table and create a right angle. If your arrangement is below the top of your fingers, it will be below eye level and people can see each other across the table.
To add drama, put a tall vase in an entryway or a corner of a desk — but plan ahead when you are cutting the stems. In a 5-inch container, you need stems that are at least 7 inches long.
7. 360 degrees or front facing?
Keep in mind the angles from which your flowers will be seen. Turn the arrangement around as you work. If you are filling a spot against a wall or mantel, with a vase only visible from the front, use taller flowers in the back to create a cascading effect as the eye travels downward. In a front-facing arrangement, use fewer flowers. Good news: You might have enough for a second vase!
8. Aim for balance
A bouquet with one kind of flower can be lovely: No two flowers are alike. Put a bloom of similar size on both sides to create balance. But you can use as many as five or six varieties, creating balance by size and with color, using, for example, red flowers on each side.
Also balance by height. In a pavé arrangement, all the flower heads are close together at the same height, creating a “kind of carpet effect.” This is common in powder rooms or side tables because these arrangements are naturally lower. “It was very popular for a long time,” Karetnick notes. “Now, looser-style arrangements that create balance are very in vogue.” For a modern look, experiment by cutting stems to different lengths to create a sense of movement.
9. Try floral tape
This specially designed tape is an old florist trick — but be sure to get the waterproof kind. “Make a grid like a tic-tac-toe board but with smaller boxes,” Karetnick says. This will allow you to experiment, putting stems in and taking them out, and angling them so you can make a wider arrangement with fewer flowers. Secure the grid edges by wrapping the tape around the rim of the vase. Floral tape is “just terrific,” she says.
Whatever you decide, make sure you’re having fun. Your flowers are already perfect and beautiful; with arrangements, we’re only adding another touch. Enjoy.
Interior decorating: Fun for some, overwhelming for others. Once you have the basics down — Color palette? Check. Layered textures? Check. Patterns and prints? Check. A mix of high/low, and vintage/modern furniture pieces? Check. — then it’s time to invite your friends over and get the party started. Right? Not just yet. The missing element that can truly create a living space is actually, well, living. And we’re not talking about pets.
There’s an art, and plenty of science, to decorating with plants. It’s not just about filling a corner with a palm in a pot. We asked an expert, Brooklyn-based “plantfluencer” Christopher Griffin (they/them) — also known as Plant Kween, lover of plants, fashion, and wellness — to guide us through the process and share some very loose rules for how to enliven your space with these living, breathing, beautiful creatures.
Why decorate with plants?
“It’s important to see the process of bringing plants into a home as more than simply decorating,” Griffin says. “Yes, they’re good for our mental health,” they point out, but “plants also provide us the opportunity to reconnect with nature and ourselves, especially in urban environments, and especially if you don’t have access to green areas where you live.” Plus, research has shown that plants are natural air purifiers, so they literally can help clean the air around us.
‘Decorating’ is a limiting word. This is a bigger process than that. You’re bringing nature into your home. Be curious and willing to learn.
Christopher griffin, aka plant kween
Griffin’s first plant was a marble queen pothos, which they purchased from their local hardware store when they felt their new apartment was missing something. Some 230 specimens later, they have built a 400K following on Instagram based on the idea that plants really do bring life into your home — even if you live alone.
And just as we can express ourselves through decorating, we can also use plants to showcase our style and personalities. “Our gardens can be extensions of our ‘inner gardens,'” Griffin says. “They can be a pathway to self-care.”
How to choose the right plant, room by room
First, understand that you can’t just ask what the plants can do for your space but instead what your space can do for your plants. “Think of the plant first,” Griffin says. That means considering humidity level, temperature, the type of light a room gets (natural or artificial), among other factors. “Then research each plant and match their natural habitat to your environment as much as possible.”
For example, a ZZ plant is light flexible, so it can be placed in many different locations in your space. Orchids are epiphytic, meaning they grow not in the ground but on other plants, and, therefore, can be mounted or even planted outside on the branches of trees. An aloe vera plant is pretty hardy and resilient, so if you’ve got a bad track record with plants, this one might be for you. “You want the plant to stay alive instead of going to that little botanical garden in the sky,” Griffin says.
They also suggest looking at the function of a room. For example, a bathroom, where hot showers happen daily, tends to have lots of humidity. Which plants thrive in this environment? Air plants, bromeliads, and ferns. “I like to make a little jungle in there,” they say. Or try a mini kitchen garden of herbs that you can pluck from when you’re cooking. In a bedroom, “think of some of NASA’s top-ranking, air-purifying plants so you can breathe in the most delicious oxygen during the night, like snake plants.” In other words, “play matchmaker” with plants and the form and function of a space.
Plants in (unexpected) situ
When it comes to placing plants around your home, don’t be afraid to stray from the norm. Griffin has a utility cart to wheel their plants in front of a sunny window. A bar cart is another idea. “In big cities, where space is a commodity, you may want to go vertical.” To that end, Griffin installed shelves in their Brooklyn apartment, so a lot of plants are on the walls. “They’re my living, breathing pieces of artwork shining all their lushness,” they say. “Bromeliads, air plants, staghorn ferns…you can literally hang them from a wall.”
They also suggest hanging plants from the ceiling or growing a vine along a wall, such as a pothos, spider plant, or philodendron, or letting ivy grow inside from outdoors.
Once you’ve placed your plants, then adjust. “Take some time to see how the plant likes its new space and then decide if you need to make any changes, like getting a humidifier or a grow light, or changing the placement.”
Texture is an element of interior plant design
Another factor to consider is what you want the feel of a space to be. If you’re going for softness, then blooming plants ought to be high on your list. A more spare, arid vibe should lead you to desert euphorbia, cacti, and succulents, Griffin says.
Griffin also suggests playing with plants of varying textures to create a totally original setup. Rules, after all, are meant to be broken. “It’s fun to mix and match plants that don’t usually grow together,” they say. “I kind of mix them all together to create an eclectic bunch of my ‘green gurls.'”
Consider plants of varying heights
Part optical illusion, part practicality, height does matter when decorating with plants. “I’m really short, so a lot of plants seem really tall to me,” jokes Griffin, who says the tallest plant they have is about 5 feet 8 inches tall.
Taller plants make a space feel smaller, and smaller plants have the opposite effect. “To make my space feel bigger, I go with shorter plants. If I had a larger space with higher ceilings, I would have higher plants,” Griffin says.
If you’re in the latter camp, a baby rubber plant might be a good choice. If the former, and you have high ceilings, a fiddle leaf fig — which can reach 10 feet in height — might be the perfect complement to your space.
Coordinating plants and decorating styles
Does the plant style need to match your décor? “Honestly, that’s the beauty of plants: You can dress them up and place them to fit any kind of home décor or ambience you are going for,” Griffin says. He cites the show “Golden Girls” (though he insists every plant on the set was fake), saying the monstera plant in their residence “fit the Florida vibe.” But that same species looks amazing in Griffin’s friend’s Brooklyn apartment that is decked out in a classic vintage maximalist style. “Plants are very flexible when it comes to the ambience and décor in our homes.” Griffin says.
Placement is another example of plants’ versatility. Try a money tree in front of a wall painted in a solid bold color for one look, or camouflaged with a leafy green jungle wallpaper behind it for a different feeling. “Just like the Pokémon character Ditto, plants can be whatever you want them to be,” Griffin says.
“’Decorating’ is a limiting word,” Griffin says. “This is a bigger process than that. You’re bringing nature into your home. Be curious and willing to learn.”
Plant Kween’s decorating picks
There’s a whole world of plants to choose from when it comes to decorating your home or apartment. Here are a few of Griffin’s favorites.
Mardi Gras, or Fat Tuesday, is one of the largest festivals of the year, with history dating back to the 18th century. Although the biggest celebration takes place in New Orleans, you can bring Mardi Gras right to your own home.
Here are six helpful and easy Mardi Gras decoration ideas using flowers.
1. Use flowers for decoration
Flowers are the perfect way to bring some life to your Mardi Gras decorations, whether you’re looking for a decorative centerpiece or festive conversation starter. The official Mardi Gras colors of purple, green, and gold were chosen by the Rex Organization in 1892 for symbolic reasons: Purple represents justice, green is synonymous with faith, and gold stands for power. Using these three colors in a festival floral arrangement to celebrate the occasion is a must.
2. Arrange a bouquet with purple, green, and gold flowers
Buying purple, green, and yellow (gold) flowers, and placing them in a decorative vase is a great way to spice up any space for Mardi Gras. If you can’t find green flowers, green leaves work well, too.
Take the three colors of flowers and place them in a vase for a Fat Tuesday mixed bouquet that will be the hit of any party! If you want to get creative, you can create DIY Mardi Gras picks, with fancy masks and plastic beads, to really take your bouquet to the next level. Use glue to attach ornate Mardi Gras masks and feathers to skewers to create a stunning effect.
If you don’t feel like putting together your own bouquet, just find an arrangement that is already arranged with flowers of the traditional Mardi Gras colors, such as theGood Day Bouquet.
3. Make a vase with beads
Head to your local party store and grab a bundle of those festive purple, green, and gold Mardi Gras beads that adorn the displays this time of year. These inexpensive plastic necklaces are sure to dazzle!
Option one: Throw a few necklaces into the vases with the water to decorate the arrangement from the inside out.
Option two: Make your own Mardi Gras beaded vase by using a glue gun to wrap the beaded necklaces around the outside of the vase. For a funny and unexpected surprise, consider gluing a plastic baby to the bottom of the vase to mimic the king cake. Then, fill your Mardi Gras vase with some festive flowers!
4. Create wearable floral décor
Turn flowers into interactive décor by creating beautifully festive corsages, floral crowns, pins, and more! If you plan on handing out Mardi Gras beads at your soiree, attach flowers to them. Using a simple needle and thread, poke a hole through the bottom of the flower (closest to the stem) and create a loop around the necklace. Then, tie a knot to secure and — voila! — you have a beautiful Mardi Gras flower necklace. If you give out flowers to your guests, they can also add them themselves for a DIY party idea.
5. Add festive flower bundles throughout
Putting together a jaw-dropping centerpiece is one Mardi Gras floral option, but here’s another unique idea to keep the whole event space decorated with flower decorations. Pair appropriate colors together in bundles and create mini bouquets to spread around the room. Add these tiny arrangements to any areas that could use a little extra oomph: empty tables, mantle pieces, patios, even bathrooms. At the end of the night, let guests take the bouquets home as a party favor.
6. Decorate food with flowers
The menu is one of the most important parts of any celebration…especially one called “Fat Tuesday!” Take some extra care when preparing your Cajun-inspired menu and decorate the dishes with some fragrant, freshly cut flowers — they’re sure to wow guests and make for some photo-friendly foods! If you can’t find a king cake, decorate cupcakes with purple, green, and gold flowers and fun toppers.
Rachel Ashwell has always lived on the light side of life. Not only does she split her time between the idyllic English countryside and sunny Los Angeles, but her Shabby Chic® line of home furnishings was originally based, to a large extent, on a palette of white. The same goes for her approach to decorating in winter: She lets the light in.
Winter decorating doesn’t have to be dark
Winter months are really about reflection, nurturing, and restoring.
rachel ashwell
“We often think in winter everything should be dark. But you don’t have to match the inside to the heavy darkness outside,” Ashwell says. That means the indoor color palette can stay light. “You can have soft, kind of spiritual, soothing colors, but layers of them,” Ashwell suggests. (Her Christmas decorating palette, like her home furnishings line, is always based on white, with pink and silver accents added in. She also incorporates lots of feathers and has a favorite white feather wreath she pulls out every year.)
Layering is also a way to achieve comfort. Whether that means an extra set of curtains over lacy summer sheers, stacks of throw blankets, or a basket of vintage linens, she layers for coziness. Ashwell also likes to layer actual lights, in the form of candles, lamps, and other practical lighting. “I adore lovely lighting with candles. That’s not to say you can’t use candles all year round, but they take center stage when nights are shorter,” she says. “That’s what I love about winter.”
Creating a winter tablescape
This concept of season-less light extends to Ashwell’s table, too, regardless of whether she is entertaining friends and/or family. “The tablescape doesn’t change massively season to season for me,” she says. “It could be a winter whitescape using vintage linens. A whole white wonderland of linens is as beautiful in winter as it is in summer.”
Of course, it’s possible to incorporate more earth tones with a darker tablecloth and napkins as a base too, she says. Ashwell may even pull out some darker vintage china and place berry branches on the table. “But then focus on creating a beautiful scape of candles.” Whether votives, candlesticks, or candelabras, layer the light against a darker background, she advises. Another tip? “Try finding candles that drip,” Ashwell says. Yes, drip. “They have so much more character than the dripless variety.”
Practical tips for setting a beautiful table
No matter the time of year, it’s important to remember that you are gathered around a table to talk and see people — and, of course, eat. So, Ashwell says, whatever you build on the tablescape, make sure guests can see and talk to each other, and you leave enough room for the food. “As with everything, less is more. Just curate it. Think about the space, people, and be mindful about the practical element so the decorating is not annoying.” Perhaps your arts and crafts creation becomes a take-home souvenir for each guest. Her mantra has always been “Beauty, Comfort, Function,” so the tablescape has to function as a backdrop and not overwhelm the conversation or meal. Being “ornamental for the sake of being ornamental” goes against everything Ashwell believes in.
To ornament or not to ornament?
Speaking of ornaments, we can’t let the season slide by without addressing the age-old question of whether to place ornaments on a tree or not, and what kind to use. “I love ornaments, but I’m very selective.” You don’t have to fill a tree with decorations your kids have made if it turns into a “hodgepodge” or if they’ve grown up. Ashwell keeps her light palette in mind when selecting ornaments and likes to layer them, tucking in some of the larger ones back on tree branches and leaving the smaller ornaments on the outside. “All my ornaments are somewhat color coordinated, so I can’t really go wrong.” She likes whimsical ornaments (her website this season features a set of three white sparrows, one decorated with pink feathers and all wearing crowns), ornaments with religious icons, such as a cross, and those that aren’t necessarily Christmas themed. She prefers vintage ornaments, which she says can still easily be found at flea markets.
Ashwell’s go-to winter florals
Though the garden may be dormant in winter, you can still find flowers this time of year. Ashwell is a big fan of carnations, which she refers to as “the unsung heroes.” For her, she stays away from reds and opts instead for pinks or two-toned varieties. She likes greenery used on its own but not in floral arrangements, as it takes away from the heroes — the flowers themselves.
She also praises faux flowers. “Don’t be afraid of fake flowers. I’m sitting here now looking at a bowl of peonies you would never think are not real.”
Dried flowers are another option, but you need to think ahead if you want to do it yourself. “Keep a nice selection of blooming flowers during the summer months, and hang them upside down so they keep their shape while drying,” Ashwell says. “Then they can be used during the winter months to create some amazing masterpieces.”
Finding inspiration in the winter months
Most of us spend less time outside during the winter, and our online activities, perusing sites like Pinterest and Instagram, may replace what we would be doing if we left the house. But there is still inspiration to be had, Ashwell asserts. “It’s really more about being open to inspiration,” she says. “Hotels, restaurants, how a store is merchandised, going to a museum, or seeing a painting that carries you away; it’s out there, just keep your eyes open.”
However you decorate, think about the feeling you want to evoke. “Winter months are really about reflection, nurturing, and restoring,” Ashwell says. “So, whether it’s a soothing blanket or the right candles, the right books to reach for, or anything that prompts that type of emotion, that’s what these longer nights and darker days are all about. To me, in a weird way, that’s what brings the light in.”
Halloween is arguably the most DIY-friendly holiday on the calendar. Between costumes for kids and adults, spooky décor, and parties decked out with frightfully ghoulish embellishments, there are countless opportunities to express your creativity and craftiness.
One of my favorite ways to celebrate the season is with colorful, over-the-top Halloween centerpieces. And with flowers that show off the vibrant colors of fall and the sugary treats we all have lying around the house this time of year, we have plenty of materials at our disposal to make some eye-catching pieces to be the focal points for our festive tablescapes.
DIY Halloween candy centerpieces: the candy vase
I love the purple, lime green, orange, and black color combination that’s prevalent for the holiday, so when I saw Halloween M&M’s in the store, I bought a few bags. Just another reason to buy candy!
To create this look, I used a nested vase, which allows the filler to rest between the walls of two containers. You can make your own by putting a narrow vase or glass inside another large glass container. Ideally, both glasses should be the same height, but if they’re not, then the inside glass should be slightly shorter than the outer one. For the floral, I used shamrock spider mums and purple statice. Not only do they look great, but both flowers are hardy and will last about two weeks.
When I’m going for a more retro look, I break out this original papier-mâché pumpkin from the 1950s — it’s my favorite Halloween table decoration. If you don’t have a decades-old, trick-or-treating pumpkin handy, just reuse one of the plastic baskets your kids take with them around the neighborhood on All Hallows’ Eve. It creates a similar — albeit not quite as spooky — look that positively screams Halloween.
With a few cuttings from your fall garden — here, I used dahlias and asclepias — this old pumpkin becomes the happiest jack-o’-lantern in town!
DIY candy corn flowers
Planning a kids Halloween party? This candy corn arrangement is a sweet addition. It’s great as a centerpiece or as part of a Halloween-inspired dessert bar! Not only will guests love the final “treat” but the kids can help put this together prior to the festivities.
Materials needed
Approximately two dozen yellow carnations, two dozen orange carnations, and a dozen white carnations.
1 brick of floral foam
1 waterproof dish or tray
Instructions
Thoroughly soak the floral foam and stand it up vertically on the tray.
Cut your carnation stems to about 2 to 4 inches in length.
Starting at the base of the foam, insert the yellow carnations all around the sides, using the longest stems at the bottom to make the base of the “candy corn” wider.
Repeat with the orange and white carnations, creating the shape as you move up the foam.
End with a single white carnation at the top to form the point of the candy corn.
You can take the basic directions for this floral candy corn arrangement and scale it up or down depending on your desired finished size. If you plan to display it on a mantle or foyer table, this arrangement can also be done as a one-sided design.
Halloween table decoration ideas: flower arrangement with Halloween candy
Here’s another decoration that’s perfect for a Halloween party table. This DIY Halloween flower arrangement featuring a ceramic pumpkin, your favorite candies, and the best fall flowers will wow your guests (and help satisfy their sweet tooth, too).
Create this festive centerpiece for your own home or as a gift for the hosts of a Halloween party you’re attending this month. Either way, it will help set just the right mood for you to have a monstrously good time!
It’s time to get scary festive! In case you haven’t noticed from the assault of fall displays and deluge of gourds on porch steps, Halloween is upon us. Here are wicked Halloween decor ideas that are sure to make a monster impression. From lining your hallways with ghostly mirrors to wrapping the stairway in holiday-themed garland, lift spirits this season by decorating the entire home for a Halloween that’s destined to be remembered.
Outdoor decor
Welcome visitors to your home with mood-setting outdoor decorations. Line the walkway with fall mums on each side, and wrap them with spooky string lights. Place a few mini pumpkins between each mum to complete your grand entryway. To help guests know that they’ve arrived at the right place, pitch seasonal slate signs identifying your family’s name.
At your doorstep, decorate with a personalized jack-o’-lantern and candy basket trick-or-treat style. When they arrive to pick up their tasty treat, they’ll be greeted by a seasonal wreath on your front door that builds anticipation. Once night falls, moody lighting from a spooky-looking lantern reinforces the theme. With such a fall reception, your guests are ready for some All Hallow’s Eve revelry.
Accentuate the indoors with Halloween accents
Misty mirrors craft: Mirror, mirror on the wall, who has the spookiest house of all? With a DIY ghostly mirror, it must be you. Using construction paper, cut out letter stencils and them to spell out a spooky message that you paste on a mirror with double-sided tape. Simply mist with matte finish spray, allow to completely dry, and peel off the newspaper. And don’t be a scaredy cat! Glass cleaner will reverse this spell after Halloween.
Chandeliers or lampshades: An easy way to add holiday flavor is by updating lampshades with Halloween bats, skulls, wolves, and ghost ornaments. Layer the look with white spider webbing but beware — creepy crawlers may want to move right in.
Halloween decor for the living room
Pumpkin flower arrangements: A vase is so last season. Nothing screams fall like fresh blooms popping out of a pumpkin. Craftier than just carving and easy to create, start by cutting off the top of your pumpkin and scooping out the insides. Next, line the pumpkin with plastic and insert floral foam that’s been soaked in water. Add the long-stemmed flowers of your choice, and then integrate leaves, berries, artichokes, or anything else you wish.
Festive coffee table: Make the coffee table a fiery focal point of the room. Robust orange, yellow, and red flowers surrounded by mini pumpkins, along with crow figurines and cobwebs, make for a startling and stunning centerpiece for the living room.
Halloween-themed throw pillows: Decorative Halloween throw pillows are another effortless way to make a room festive. Add pillows to the couch or a window seat, and then sit back and enjoy the coziness of the season.
Create a spooky stairway
Step it up accessorizing: Creaky steps are so in this season, as is garland that says the boo for you. Weave your handrail with twine pinned with leaves preserved with Mod Podge or a pumpkin garland. The good news is that autumn finds are versatile enough to leave up throughout the fall.
Halloween decor in the bedrooms
Spooky picture frames craft: Cause a fright with some ghostly DIY picture frames. Make a black and white copy of any photo and brush the image with black paint and water to “age” it. After the paper dries, match up a piece of card stock to the back of the photo. Using an X-Acto knife, cut out the eyes of the subject in the image and add mini red Christmas lights through the back of the eyes. Finally, set it up on your nightstand, or anywhere in your house.
Scary fun pillowcases: Dress up your bed with festive Halloween pillowcases, such as ghoulishly cute ghosts or bat cases. Simply swap out your daily pillowcases for these fun fall options, which can moonlight as trick-or-treat bags on the big night.
Don’t forget the bathrooms!
Spidery soaps craft: Not even the bathroom is safe this spooky season! Upgrade the room with DIY soaps that will make you scream. Start by melting a soap base in a pot until it reaches 140° F. Using a soap mold, place a plastic bug into each mold and pour over the melted soap. Once the bubbles rise on the mold, use a knife to scrape them off. Leave the soap in the molds overnight. Then, remove, rinse, wash, and repeat until Oct 31.
Enough tricks, it’s time for treats
Top it all off by decorating your home with Halloween flowers and gifts to get everyone in the spooky spirit. Shop our Halloween collection to find sweet treats for every boo and ghoul!
Your tabletop is a blank canvas. Your choice of fabrics, flowers, and candles, the layering of colors and textures, and adding personal touches all play a part in the delight and ambience that a beautifully designed table brings to any occasion. Go as big or as simple as you want. It’s one of my favorite elements of entertaining!
Here are a few easy, creative, and inexpensive fall table decorating ideas that I hope will provide some inspiration to get you started on your tablescape art.
I am a big believer in reusing/recycling, so I have pieces that I keep and use in different ways each season. Here, I reused my 1-800-Flowers decorative pumpkin from a few years ago, filling it with flowers, grasses, peppers, and succulents in a farm fresh palette.
I find these little berry baskets to be the perfect size to use as multiples, as I did on the dining table, or to add just the right festive touch on the dessert or buffet table.
Just line the basket with a small dish, bowl, or can. Cut a piece of floral foam to size and thoroughly soak the foam before placing it in the dish. The foam will make it very easy to create your piece, as it holds each insertion in place and provides hydration to keep your flowers fresh.
Keeping it green and lean
Decorate your fall table with plants! They are affordable and have the added benefit of naturally cleaning the air in your home. The millet plants I picked up at Smile Farms are a bit taller than normal for a centerpiece, but they still work. (I find that everything gets moved around once the food starts getting placed on the table anyway.)
Having small unexpected accents, such as the green apple candles and fresh-cut succulents, on each plate can complete your look and keep your fall table decorated and festive even after all the food has been served.
You can also use small potted succulents as individual place cards that double as a take-home gift.
Forage around
Don’t be afraid to do a little foraging in your garden (or your neighbor’s — with permission, of course!). I live by the beach, so my garden is full of ornamental beach grasses and millet. And falling leaves are everywhere! This time of year offers an abundance of beautiful branches, berries, and grasses.
Keep it simple and natural by adding an LED votive candle to the center of a fresh artichoke and place a single stem of millet and a sprig fall foliage on each plate.
Interested in learning more about decorating with fall flowers? Sign up for a workshop with Alice’s Table to discover the joys of creating your own floral arrangements!
