The Old-School Technique That Is Dominating Christmas Trends This Year

Nothing brings back those nostalgic feelings quite like the holidays, especially when it comes to your festive home decor. There's something so cozy about this time of year that brings us back to memories of past Christmases, often influencing us to reconsider some retro trends that embrace those feelings again. There is plenty of vintage Christmas decor to look for at the thrift store, from lighting and ornaments to classic wreaths and bows. That said, it seems like you might have better luck finding the hottest holiday home trends in your old storage bins or resale markets than you would on department store shelves. One of the biggest design choices we're seeing take over the holiday season is the comforting, familiar choice of integrating vintage quilt styles into decor for that old-school Christmas look. Designer Sierra Troisky spoke with Better Homes & Gardens about this kitschy holiday comeback, noting their "cozy, traditional, and sentimental vibe ... and traditional decorating is so in this year," and adding that these designs "can be incorporated into your holiday decor in the form of a Christmas tree skirt or Advent wall hanging," among other accents like throws.

Many of these retro Christmas trends are looks that apply to festive decorating specifically, but some quilted pieces can feel relevant past the holidays. This trend is making a big impact on decor choices this time of year, and it's bringing us plenty of inspiration for seasonal decorating. As you prepare your home for Christmas time and holiday gatherings, it might be beneficial to find ways to layer in the beloved look of cozy quilts.

From nostalgic patchwork to antique ornaments, it's time to forget buying brand new Christmas decor — this vintage trend is completely taking over. In terms of the holiday quilt decor trend, it should be no surprise homeowners are excited to bring the look back. Earlier this year, vintage quilts started popping up again as a stylish favorite among designers, and not just as cozy layers for cold nights, but as a useful and flexible textile that can be used as blankets, pillows, and even wall decor. Now that the holidays are in full swing, this approach is reaching new, festive heights. When we see these fabrics, it reminds us of those nostalgic memories of warm vintage interiors and those handmade, crafted-with-love quilts we may have snuggled up with at our grandparents' home — and what better time to embrace those cozy feels than Christmas? This trend is truly shining this time of year, and it's easy to score from online retailers, antique stores, and possibly even your old storage bins.

While quilting may be an old-fashioned decor approach, it's also incredibly versatile in terms of colors, patterns, and aesthetics. There are neutral designs for minimalists, vibrant styles for maximalists, and a variety of options in between extremes. Many styles will add dimension to your design through the use of shape with traditional patterns like pinwheels or nine-patch blocks, while incorporating clear color palettes that contribute to the overall scheme of your space. The fact that these designs currently feel both vintage and trendy just proves how timeless this style can be, so bringing some quilts into your collection can pay off for years to come.

Now that quilts have become the trendy, decades-old home accent piece you'll want to snatch up at the thrift store, you're bound to notice more opportunities to integrate them into your holiday decor. On your tree, you can get crafty with handmade ornaments and tree skirts, or redirect the trend to your mantle, and hang quilted garland or stockings with care. If you prefer to make a statement with your design rather than layer it in small doses, a large, colorful quilt can be the perfect addition to your bedding or living room throw that you keep on your seating.

When interior designer Ashley Stark spoke with Homes & Gardens about the overall patchwork quilt trend, she expressed that it "can be complemented nicely with decor in a color scheme that's drawn from its design," also adding that bolder styles "can be best balanced with neutral colors" for a statement look. We can apply this advice to the holidays as well — aiming for a jolly, vibrant pattern to liven up minimalist palettes, or colors that align with our decor, whether that's classic green and red, or wintery blues and whites. Holiday-specific styles might include festive motifs like candy canes and Christmas trees, or you can aim for a more versatile pattern like those that use repetition of the nostalgic 8-point LeMoyne Star pattern. The quilt decor trend can stretch beyond the holidays, so choosing a classic geometric pattern with an adaptable color palette, like red and white stars, can help you embrace the style well past the new year.