Stop Drowning in Tinsel and Decorate Like a Pro This Christmas

Many homes end up feeling more cluttered than festive once the Christmas boxes come out, because decorations are simply piled on top of what is already there.

A better approach is to think of Christmas as a short, gentle reset for your rooms, where you first make space and then add a few clear, simple layers that you enjoy looking at every day.

The first step is to clear the surfaces you want to decorate. Choose the areas that matter most, such as the coffee table, TV stand, dining table, and the top of any sideboards. Wipe them down, then remove old magazines, piles of post, small ornaments, and anything that does not earn its place. Put those items in a box for storage or donation. When you later add greenery, candles, or bowls of baubles, they will stand out rather than getting lost in the usual everyday clutter.

The next step is to decide on one guiding idea. This can be as simple as choosing two or three colours, such as red, green, and gold, or deciding you want a cosy, old-fashioned look that reminds you of your childhood. You might also base the theme on your family culture, for example by choosing ornaments that reflect your children or your heritage. Once you have that idea, you can look at each decoration and ask whether it fits. Anything that does not fit goes back in the box, which keeps the final look calm and deliberate.

Greenery is one of the easiest ways to make a room feel like Christmas. You can buy readymade garlands, which are long ropes of artificial or real leaves, or you can make your own by tying together branches from a tree in your garden with string or cable ties. Lay the garland gently along the top of a shelf, the edge of a staircase rail, or above a doorway.

You do not need to buy a lot of new decorations. Take the baubles you already own and group them together in a large bowl or clear glass vase for the coffee table. Line up candle holders of different heights on a windowsill or mantelpiece, even if the candles are plain white. Place one or two special items, such as a nativity scene or a favourite Santa figure, where they can be easily seen. Grouping items in this way looks more intentional than spreading everything evenly across the room.

Food can also play a role. Place whole pomegranates, oranges, apples, or nuts in their shells in a shallow dish and set it in the centre of the table. Add a few sprigs of rosemary or small pine branches around the fruit to bring in scent and colour. This type of arrangement can stay on the table for days, and you can eat the fruit as you go.

Scent and light are the final touches that pull everything together. Choose one or two scented candles that smell like pine, cinnamon, or vanilla and place them where you will notice them when you walk into the room, always keeping them away from curtains and where children or pets can bump them. Switch off the main overhead light in the evening and rely on table lamps, fairy lights and the tree lights instead, which will make even simple decorations look warmer and more inviting.

If you follow these steps in order — choose a theme, add greenery, group your favourite pieces, use food, and then finish with scent and soft light — your home will feel considered and festive without becoming cluttered and overwhelming.