Decorating & Design
November 7, 2019
20+ Minimalist Holiday Decorating Ideas That Will Spark Joy
Visions of sugar plums may spark beloved holiday memories, but for those homeowners who are decorating purists, they prefer their rooms spare, and the design clean à la Marie Kondo. These festive rooms remain true to their roots and may well inspire a holiday “makeunder” this season.
Scroll down to discover 20+ minimalist holiday decorating ideas sure to spark joy.
Vintage Thonet chairs are a modern design icon in this Scandi-style kitchen. The holiday decorations are similarly pared back. The table is embellished by a simple row of small pine trees, wrapped in burlap, instead of a more traditional floral arrangement.
Simple linens and plates stamped with a snowflake motif are a low-key but still festive way to set a holiday table. A matte finish on the utensils adds subtle glow to a holiday meal.
A grouping of bare birch branches complements the spare beauty of a Matthew Hilton for Case Furniture dining table in Leigh Gravenor’s home. A spray of fresh florals dresses up the walls, and sculptural Protea flowers are a more modern take on poinsettia.
Instead of tinsel, try tucking eucalyptus sprigs into the tree’s branches. White lights echo the room’s modernist palette.
Take things down a notch and wrap gifts in a recyclable white or kraft paper, and embellish them with bits of greenery.
Faux fur accents and bare branches casually decked out with homespun ornaments are an easy way to introduce a festive, naturalistic mood in a bedroom.
A clean, contemporary bathroom in high-contrast black and white is simply dressed up with a fresh green Scotch pine wreath, which adds subtle color and fragrance.
A spruce-tone painted accent wall and slim Scandi fireplace set a holiday tone in this Montreal rowhouse. The fireplace’s sculptural shape is a contemporary alternative to a traditional hearth.
Homeowner Sandra Smile decorated the striking windows with fresh, fuss-free greenery that suits the clean vibe of the furnishings. Circular, minimalist wreaths made of cedar, eucalyptus and olive branches are a counterpoint to the rectangular window panes.
This armoire (a lucky find in a French flea market) has a traditional feel, but it’s embellished in a contemporary way with a loose garland of cascading greens in a mix of different branches for added interest. Simple wooden ornaments in a metallic finish are grouped in a bowl for an fuss-free hit of holiday sparkle.
The family who owns this West Coast home likes to keep things natural during the holidays. Evergreen boughs tied with twine and hung from cabinetry pulls add color in unexpected places.
Pieces of driftwood dipped in metallic finishes bring in a bit of nature, but with a modern outlook. An asymmetrical garland tied with buoy-like ornaments is a fresh way to dress the mantel in a coastal home. The holiday tree is decorated sparingly with a palette of teal blues and natural tones: designer Ami McKay added simple loops of ribbon to wooden napkin rings to create ornaments.
Baskets are used to corral gifts tied with twine, holiday toys and wooden decorations under the tree so things look orderly and lush.
This home skips the full-on stair garland for a spray of feathery cedar branches tied at the newel post for an effect that’s breezy and easy to accomplish. A scattering of gifts placed throughout the home spark festive cheer and a sense of anticipation.
An eye-catching starburst chandelier and walnut table play into the dining room’s mid-century modern vibe. A faux fur throw and simple white vessels filled with greenery are essential wintry accents.
The owner of this home lived in California and wanted to bring the laid-back, SoCal style to her Toronto home. A lush wreath, live tree and jade plant bring the outdoors in, even on a chilly winter day.
French doors are dressed up with a row of wreaths — knotted with simple white bows — and a small potted evergreen. The real Scandi touch is the chandelier, which resembles a multi-pronged clutch of hand-dipped tapers.
A cozy wingback chair-style headboard makes this bedroom an inviting retreat on a cold night. A feathery cedar garland draped over the window is a handsome, festive touch and smells like a walk in the forest.
A glass demijohn stuffed with branches and adorned with a few colorful ornaments stands in for a tabletop tree in this contemporary gray kitchen.
Textural white ornaments and nature-inspired baubles have a nostalgic feel, without appearing too busy. Under the tree, presents are wrapped in white and kraft paper, tied with red string for a cohesive, signature look.
Take a cue from the Nordic countries (these Tomte or Nisse gnomes are common in Scandinavian folklore) and decorate the mantel with simple string of felted ornaments. They are easy to hang, and along with an arrangement of red Brazilian pepper berries, they offer a dose of color and whimsy.