How to Avoid the 5 Worst Holiday-Decorating Mistakes

Original article posted at The Wall Street Journal by Rachel Wolfe.

From poorly scaled Christmas trees to a slavish devotion to green and red, architects and interior designers share the goofs they see most often—and what to do instead.

In this historically strange holiday season, we’re counting on tinsel’s historically documented ability to inspire cheer. Fine artist Josh Young, whose photos of his tastefully decorated Washington, D.C., townhome have earned him a loyal Instagram following, believes that, in 2020, when “we aren’t with loved ones, we aren’t with friends,” it’s especially important to “spruce up and create that holiday environment.”

That said, he’s over the over-the-top approach. “Holiday decorating should accent and complement the rest of your décor and not overpower and compete with it,” said Mr. Young, who added fresh greenery to every room this year but skipped ribbons and lights. The focal point: his larger-than-normal tree adorned with vintage ornaments.

Reckless festooning is just one of the common Yuletide décor gaffes that make design pros cringe. We asked our panel to share must-avoid errors and the decorating strategies that are their preferred alternatives.

Knickknack Attack

Too many cute snowmen or winging seraphim get tacky fast, warned Ashley Moore, founder of Moore House Interiors, in Tomball, Texas.

Instead, It’s OK to showcase the Nativity scene passed down from Mom, said Miami designer Constanza Collarte. “The key is to use figurines meaningfully.” When it comes to her own treasured items, she keeps kitsch in check by layering them into a centerpiece and laying the table with modern Murano stemware and vintage monochrome-patterned Staffordshire plates. No holly motifs.