Many people get into the Christmas mood quite early – a survey showed that 4 out of 5 Latvian residents start preparing for the holidays from November until the very last week before Christmas.
In anticipation of the holidays, we plan not only to buy gifts and decorate the Christmas tree – every third resident of Latvia turns the entire house into a solemn holiday kingdom. An interior designer introduces the main Christmas trends for 2024 and offers new ideas for creating festive warmth and magic in your home.
«This year’s Christmas decorations combine tradition and innovation. If we compare trends over the years, we can see that design is becoming more meaningful and more handmade elements are appearing. For example, retro jewelry and hand-painted figurines are in fashion, inspired by our grandparents’ homes, Swedish folklore and crafts. The focus is on creativity, nature and sustainability, which together create a unique, magical Christmas experience with a modern twist.“says IKEA’s head of interior design Darius Rimkus.
Scandinavian natural motifs
The interior designer notes that one of the trends this year is to bring Scandinavian nature into the home. It is expected that decorations in the form of wreaths made of mushrooms, cones and berries will be popular.
«Scandinavian nature takes center stage, and earthy tones—brown, rust, clay and green—provide a rich backdrop for mythical and real woodland creatures. Nature-inspired decorations—squirrels, foxes, mushrooms, and more—add a playful, woodsy charm to the living room.».
Scandinavian patterns are also returning in soft, sophisticated colors – dark blue, forest green, gold, champagne and, of course, the always favorite wine red.
Always current red color
Red is the traditional color of Christmas. Rimkus emphasizes that this year there are even more red accents, they create a genuine festive mood.
«Using red in the interior – be it a blanket, a candle or a tablecloth – immediately creates a Christmas mood. This year’s trend is to pair red with muted tones such as pastel pink and green.».
The designer notes that the interior can be significantly changed by updating upholstered furniture, replacing pillows and blankets. A table runner or a Christmas arrangement with candles and pine cones is a way to quickly change the atmosphere without spending a lot of money.
Elements reminiscent of nature
A variety of greens are always popular, and this year is no exception. Lush, green garlands with berries are a gorgeous addition to your decor, adding texture and making the overall ambiance feel more luxurious. Holiday garlands can be placed on walls, windows, doors or on a holiday table to create a unique holiday atmosphere. The interior designer emphasizes that natural-looking artificial plants that will look beautiful for many years save time and resources in the long run, and can be changed up a little each year by adding other decorations.
«You can focus on natural elements in the Scandinavian style – pine cones, wooden figurines, dried orange slices. Handmade jewelry made from natural materials can freshen up the overall look without breaking the bank.t,” says Rimkus.
Reuse and update existing decorations
The interior designer calls for giving new life to existing decorations, for example, by painting them in trendy colors using spray paint, adding ribbon or greenery.
«Personalized, handmade jewelry is all the rage this year. Family heirlooms, handmade items, and unique Christmas decorations with history or sentimental value are trending right now and will remain so for years to come.».
Before the holidays, Rimkus recommends going through all your decorations and sorting them out—deciding what to keep, what to give away, what is damaged but can still be repaired, what can be reused, and what new accents will add charm to your existing collection. It is necessary to check whether the wires of the garlands are damaged or think about replacing old garlands with new, more energy efficient ones.
Light on dark evenings
Nothing creates coziness during the darkest time of the year like soft, warm lighting. Battery-powered lights and garlands are an integral part of the Christmas season. Let’s also not forget about candles and candle compositions in candlesticks and lanterns – they create a unique festive atmosphere in every home.
«In Sweden, there is a tradition of placing lamps in the windows – decorative lighting, a table lamp or a garland. The most energy efficient are LED garlands and lamps. LEDs last longer than incandescent bulbs and consume less electricity. A standard 250-lumen LED lamp, turned on around the clock, consumes only 1.31 kWh per month, which, depending on the tariff, will cost only a few cents“says the interior designer.
Source: www.gorod.lv
