Christmas is one of our favourite times of year and one of our much-loved things to do over the festive season is decorate our homes to inject some Christmas magic.

To give you some top tips on how to create the ultimate Christmas décor this year, we have spoken to some of London’s best interior designers who are known for working with high-end clients such as Berkeley Group.

Consider your surroundings

 “Christmas décor that really looks as though it’s been created just for that space will always make the greatest impact. So, for example, if you live in a really old property (as I do!) then go for a traditional tree and rustic decorations, from brown paper wrapping with string and thin rope to plenty of berries and mistletoe,” comments says Jo Littlefair, director and co-founder of interior design company Goddard Littlefair.

Choose seasonal scents

“Smell is one of the quickest and most effective ways to create a seasonal atmosphere, so I’d always start with a great candle smelling of juniper and pine,” Jo adds.

You can also try introducing bunches of cinnamon sticks to your decorations to give your home the fragrance of a traditional winter aroma. Other scents that are great for the festive season include pine, vanilla, orange peel, eucalyptus and ginger.

Try turqoise and teal

“Turquoise and teal in home furnishing have gone from strength to strength – never more so than this Christmas,” says Paul Dawson, design director at Honky.co.uk. “As a colour it conveys balance and calm – something we all aspire to! As we look to the new year, what better colour choice than one that promotes reflection and optimism.” 

Get crafty

“There’s no better way to be unique than to make things by hand. If you’re feeling crafty, then create your own wrapping paper using a bespoke stamp and brown paper – it’s so cheap, but can be so effective with raffia ties. Or, for a really high-end look, you can decorate fruit with gold leaf for a table or hearth display,” says Jo Littlefair, director and co-founder at Goddard Littlefair.

Make a statement

“Proving that there really is nothing new under the sun – this year sees a push for upside down trees. The practice of hanging a tree upside down dates back to the Middle Ages. Picked up by retailers (presumably wanting a festive display whilst maximising floor space over this key time), this year sees the concept being widely available for domestic situations. Parents with inquisitive children & pets, will probably welcome the concept...” - Paul Dawson, design director at Honky.co.uk.     

Light up

“Decorations can easily look like a jumble, so streamlining colour is vital to creating an effective look, whether you go for a traditional red and green theme or more unusual autumnal shades, such as plum and burnt orange. Twinkling lights, however, are something you can always go big on, because they lift a whole room and create an instant party feel,” - Jo Littlefair, Director and Co-Founder, Goddard Littlefair.

You can discover more trends and inspiration for your Christmas décor this year by reading Berkeley Group’s recent article here.