While the retail world has been in full festive swing for weeks, many households across the UK are only now unpacking their Christmas decorations. Faced with the annual pressure to create a picture-perfect home, where should you begin? We asked the real experts – the visual merchandisers and shop window-dressers who craft magical displays all year round – for their professional secrets to achieving a stunning festive look without breaking the bank.
Laying the Festive Foundation: Planning and Themes
For professionals, Christmas planning is a year-round endeavour. Lisa Clemenger, Visual Concepts Manager at Liberty in London, confirms that the festive season is never far from their minds. This forward-thinking approach is echoed at Jarrolds, an independent department store in Norwich, where Julie Blanch, Head of Visual Merchandising, reveals that planning for Christmas 2026 will commence at the end of January.
Establishing a theme is a crucial first step. Liberty is celebrating the unsung heroes of Christmas this year, focusing on a whimsical elf's workshop. Jarrolds has adopted a 'handpicked' motif. For your own home, Julie Blanch suggests a flexible approach: "You could be tartan one year, then gingham, then gingerbread – but each could feature some of each other's scheme," emphasising the reuse of decorations.
The Art of Decoration: From Trees to Tabletops
Choosing a cohesive colour palette is fundamental. Lisa Clemenger advises that a key colour thread should run through all your designs to create visual flow. She refreshes old decorations by introducing a new accent colour, often with ribbon.
When it comes to style, confidence is key. You can choose a maximalist 'more is more' approach, like Julie Blanch, or opt for a quieter, layered aesthetic. Paula Ellis, Global Visual Merchandising Manager at Toast, describes the ideal feel as "not loud, but layered, warm and welcoming."
For the centrepiece of your decor, the tree, Clemenger offers practical advice. Ensure a fresh tree has a good shape or that an artificial one is fully fluffed. If your tree looks sparse, fill gaps with preserved foliage for extra depth. When hanging decorations, place them not just on the tips but deep inside the branches for a fuller, more luxurious effect.
Sustainable and Savvy Festive Tricks
The experts unanimously champion a sustainable approach. Paula Ellis urges people to "resist the urge to buy new" and to stick to warm or metallic colours that can be reused. She finds magic in reinterpretation, suggesting you drape last year's paper chain on the mantel instead of the tree.
Lisa Clemenger recommends saving every beautiful ribbon from gifts and repurposing them on trees and wreaths. Even broken decorations can be given a new life by placing them in bowls with the damaged side hidden from view.
DIY projects can save money and add a personal touch. Julie Blanch points out that simple paper chains made with a stapler can create a colourful display. For a classy yet affordable wrapping style, she recommends brown paper and ribbon. Julia Jeuvell, owner of Choosing Keeping in London, has even taken to making her own Christmas crackers after learning from YouTube tutorials.
Lighting is the final, crucial element for ambience. Clemenger advises investing in good tree lights, zigzagging them from tip to trunk for depth. Paula Ellis highlights the importance of room lighting, suggesting the use of low, soft light to create a welcoming feel and spotlight special decorations. Candlelight, Clemenger adds, provides the final magic, making everything feel warm and dreamlike.
Finally, do not forget the dining table. You can create a beautiful tablescape with mismatched glasses, interesting placemats, and special linens. Julie Blanch recommends laying the table on Christmas Eve to save time on the big day. And above all, embrace a little imperfection. As Paula Ellis wisely concludes, "A slightly crumpled napkin or a wonky candle, that's where the charm lives."
