10 Outdated Holiday Decor Designs To Skip In 2025

It's easy to get swept up in the chaos of the holiday season, but it's crucial to keep a clear head when it comes to shopping for seasonal décor. Instead of falling for overconsumption and filling your cart with dated décor, be mindful of your selection. We conducted exclusive interviews with a series of top designers, including Whitney Vredenburgh, Artem Kropovinsky, Brandy Rinehart, and Cristiana Crin. These experts have highlighted the holiday designs you might want to skip in 2025.

There's still time to curate a thoughtful holiday interior. In 2025, intentionality is key. Browsing décor can be fun, but having a clear vision can prevent you from spending unnecessarily. The last thing you want is to break your budget on pieces that will make your home look outdated. There are several Christmas décor trends that are dominating the 2025 season, but these are the décor concepts you should avoid at all costs.

Your Christmas décor should elevate rather than cheapen your space. Not just one, but two of our experts share a similar sentiment about fake snow. Whitney Vredenburgh, owner of Nested Spaces Home Staging & Design, exclusively tells House Digest, "The fake snow on side tables and dining tables can be avoided altogether along with the mess that is left to clean up!" Beyond fluffy fake snow, flocking is also making its way out. We also received an exclusive quote from Artem Kropovinsky, owner of Arsight Studio. He explains, "Heavy flocking and artificial spray snow are fading out. They flatten the look of a tree and make the entire display feel dated."

As an alternative to a white tree, Kropovinsky suggests, "A cleaner, more natural finish creates a fresher backdrop for ornaments." This is reflective of the organic trend that is taking over interiors. Natural décor is more favorable than artificial design, and that includes holiday accessories. If you want to give your tree a tasteful, icy touch, try these authentic-looking Dahi Christmas Icicles. For more nature-inspired décor, this 2025 Christmas décor trend is bringing the beauty of the mountains indoors.

If the weathered wooden sign that says "Tis the Season" is calling your name, you might want to think twice before purchasing. Whitney Vredenburgh expands on this warning, "Some others that we would like to steer clear of are farm house holiday signs sprinkled on kitchen counters, credenzas, servers and the like. These are a Hobby Lobby lover's dream but are typically cheaply made and will go out of style within a few years." Farmhouse style was popular in the 2010s, but it's been slowly making its way out of favor among modern designers.

Instead of choosing contemporary décor with a rustic touch, try to focus on authentic vintage pieces. Real vintage décor won't make your space look dated — it will help it appear timeless. There are a few classic Christmas décor elements that are back in style this year. To replace your farmhouse wall decor, consider a classic hanging Advent calendar. You can source this item on Facebook Marketplace, Etsy, or your local thrift shop. Another trending piece of vintage wall décor is a retro, framed jewelry tree. You can DIY this project with vintage brooches, bracelets, and necklaces against velvet fabric.

A crucial part of your Christmas décor is the color palette itself. When selecting small accessories like candles, it's important to consider how they fit into your overall color scheme. Loud, bold colors can stand out — and not in a good way. Whitney Vredenburgh explains, "To round out the list are brightly colored red and green candles. You know the kind that looks like a stop light?" Décor that conjures up imagery of traffic lights isn't the most stylish addition to your interior.

Although there are some colors that immediately scream "Christmas," that doesn't mean we can't play around with tonal variations. Vredenburgh suggests a few softer alternatives to the traditional true green and red: "Instead, we opt for muted greens like sage or olive and soft red or burgundy." Taper candles are currently trending, and these tall, elegant candles can take your Christmas décor to new heights. Consider the Sihuida Sage Green Taper Candles or the Howemon Dark Red Taper Candles.

Brandy Rinehart, the owner and designer at Rinehart Design Group Inc., shares her advice exclusively with House Digest readers: "We all love a good seasonal check pattern as much as the next person — but we've been seeing red-and-black buffalo plaid since before people were arguing over pumpkin spice. In 2025, it's starting to feel less 'cozy cabin' and more 'cabin fever.'" She goes on to explain that overusing just one pattern can backfire and take away from the power of the pattern itself. There are also other patterns to explore that are much less cliché.

Rinehart recommends the following patterns as dynamic replacements for buffalo plaid: "Tonal weaves, small-scale tartans, or hand-printed textiles that feel less mass-produced and more curated." She also urges readers not to shy away from rich hues and thematic holiday décor. For example, this Pure Country Weavers Cape Cod Christmas Blanket is a unique option with visible texture and a bold design. Rinehart also recommends visiting secondhand and vintage stores to find one-of-a-kind pieces. She says, "Don't be afraid to also source local antique shops and consignment — there are some seasonal gems that aren't mass produced you'll really appreciate!"

We warned against hyper-saturated shades, but you also don't want your holiday interior to lack color altogether. With the "millennial beige" movement officially feeling stale, an all-neutral home is firmly out this year. Brandy Rinehart specifies, "There was a time when 'neutral holiday' meant classy. Now it's just... beige. To be fair beige, well is JUST beige." She differentiates between a colorless palette and a true "minimalist white" color scheme. This can be done tastefully. The problem lies in the lack of individuality. Rinehart continues, "The Whitewashed wreaths, bleached trees, and excessive burlap bows had their moment, but the pendulum has swung back toward warmth and authenticity."

Echoing Whitney Vredenburgh's advice regarding an earthy color palette, Rinehart agrees that the trending color scheme for 2025 involves layered greens and natural wood textures that actually look alive. Although some of these tones might fall into the neutral category, the combination is a far cry from the "millennial beige," colorless approach. Rinehart offers a specific tip on how to source trending décor that has personality: "Visit Etsy for elegant and funky handmade items that support local artisans AND are amazing conversation pieces."

Brandy Rinehart also encourages our readers to look beyond palettes that only include two key colors. She shares, "Red and white can be charming — but when everything looks dipped in peppermint stripes, your space starts to resemble a circus tent of chaos. Holiday color palettes in 2025 are evolving: deep currant reds, mossy greens, ochres, and muted metallics are taking over." The theme of organic, gently restrained Christmas color palettes is a recurring recommendation among top interior designers. Rinehart says, "The new goal is 'subtle sophistication,' not 'Santa's sugar crash.'"

There are several Christmas décor options that are available in unique colors and textures that defy the traditionally binary Christmas color schemes. For example, these Vtyepou Christmas Tree Ornaments have a unique, velvety texture and rich yet muted color combinations. These Breling Christmas boho tassel garlands also combine cozy colors like olive green and caramel. Modern festive accessories are proof that the Christmas palette goes far beyond candy cane colors or bright green and Santa Claus red.

Decorating your front yard can be a fun and rewarding holiday activity, but certain décor can date your exterior. Brandy Rinehart details, "If your lawn looks like it could float away in a strong breeze, it might be time for an upgrade. [...] Caveat, the oversized inflatables have had their kitschy charm, but we're moving toward more intentional, architectural outdoor décor." If you already have more than a few Christmas inflatables, don't throw them out. However, it might be time to add some visual variation and more subtle pieces.

When it comes to the most stylish alternatives, Rinehart recommends, "Simple light structures, evergreen arrangements, and sculptural forms that add drama without needing excessive power sources and a stake. Less blow-up, more glow-up." For example, try adding this minimalist Tybeeu Lighted Birch Tree Set. Another stylish option is to frame your front door with this Juxdp Real Touch Norfolk Pine garland. Source further inspiration from these celebrity holiday front porch ideas you can recreate yourself.

We all love a little seasonal sparkle and shine, but everything should be used in moderation. Artem Kropovinsky specifies, "High-shine tinsel garlands tend to overpower everything around them. Their harsh glare and metallic shimmer can distract from the overall composition, which is why softer, textural materials are taking the lead." Instead of your décor competing for your guests' attention, it should all complement each other to create one, immersive space. When it comes to overly sparkly and shiny accessories, don't fall into the trap of these holiday décor trends — this is what you should try instead.

As Kropovinsky mentioned, textural elements can help your Christmas décor look both cozy and dynamic. Metallic garlands aren't the only kind to consider. This subtle Hairui Lighted Pine garland can add a glimmering look without overpowering your space. If you're still craving the metallic look, try something like the DearHouse Silver Berry Christmas garland, which will add a shiny touch that isn't ultra-reflective or visually abrasive.

Don't forget that decorating for Christmas should feel fun, not overwhelming. If you find yourself being drawn to the pre-coordinated Christmas kits out of convenience, take a step back. Allow yourself to enjoy the process of sourcing personal and unique Christmas décor. Artem Kropovinsky explains, "Ideally matched, pre-coordinated décor kits often look static and overstaged. Holiday styling is moving toward a more layered and collected look, where mixed finishes and subtle contrasts feel more current." A few thoughtful pieces of décor are more impactful than filling your house with meaningless items.

To avoid the temptation of the pre-coordinated kits, remind yourself that it's okay to start small. If there's a piece of tabletop décor that really speaks to you, it's better to source one personal piece over several matching items. Vintage stockings, Putz houses, and woven holiday textiles are just a few options that will make your home stand out. Handcrafted items are always a timeless idea, and you can reuse these 15 thrift store finds to DIY breathtaking Christmas décor.

In a similar vein, Cristiana Crin, Founder of Perpetuum Designs, exclusively tells House Digest readers to stay away from excessive plastic, mass-produced décor. She says, "2025 also gets rid of mass-produced items, especially the plastic ones. While I'm incredibly sad just thinking about how much pollution this trend produced, I'm happy to see people preferring hand-made / personalized holiday decorations and often choosing natural materials and paints." If you're working on a strict budget this year, let go of the pressure to buy a new set of decorations. Instead, try to repurpose items you already have and focus on curating pieces that will stay with you for years to come.

There are several ways to upcycle your existing pieces. Try easy fixes like swapping out your pillow covers or adding accessories like bows and bells to your existing wreaths. When it comes to materials, prioritize more sustainable options like wood or linen, as well as plants that can be cared for year-round. These 10 festive plants make a great alternative to the Christmas cactus, and they won't be thrown away right after the holiday season.