We know you know: we’re obsessed with a clean aesthetic. At Camille Styles, natural, organic and minimalist are all design values that we each adhere to in our homes. (And beyond that, our earthly vibrations know no limits.) But of course, when holidays riding presents a bit of a challenge. Our goal is celebratory without exaggeration – and no, this should not be a paradox. In an effort to speak to the modernists among us, we’ve selected the best modern Christmas tree decorations.
And since “modern” can be vague, we looked for a variety of unique inspirations. Sleek ornaments and a completely contemporary version of the one-piece Christmas “tree”. forest-inspired approachwe take care of your chic halls.
10 Modern Christmas Tree Ideas for a Contemporary Aesthetic
This time of year, even though everything is merry and bright, it can feel like you’re trying to take the cheer out of it all by keeping things uncluttered. But fear not, there are plenty of ways to incorporate a little character and storytelling into your tree without going overboard. Discover your favorite modern Christmas tree decorations and the homes that inspired them ahead. We guarantee you’ll find a look you love.
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Modern but comfortable
This year, Camille’s holiday decorating was all about keeping things as cozy as possible. After all, with all the hustle and bustle that December brings, it’s important that we enjoy the seasonal comforts as best we can. A few years ago, Camille opted for a fake Christmas tree, tall enough to fill her high ceilings. Although its exact tree is out of stock, we found the perfect lookalike to help your decor make a subtle statement. Pair it with a linen tree skirt and kraft-wrapped gifts to make your family decorations speak for themselves.
See More: Camille’s Cozy Winter Haven Holiday Decor
Put a bow on it
Bows are one of the biggest holiday trends of the year, both on and off our heads. Even though I love doing a half-up hairstyle with my favorite velvet bow, the look is also so chic on the tree. Buy a few spools of velvet ribbon in coordinating colors (I love the dramatic, modern look of the jewel tones on the tree) and tie bows all around with long tails. They will perfectly echo the accents of your gifts. Pro Tip: Make sure to keep the rest of your ornaments fairly minimalist so your bows can shine.
Add a touch of orange
For me, oranges are synonymous with vacations. I love simmering them on the stove with cinnamon sticks, cloves, and other spices—and I can eat my weight in citrus all December long. But my favorite way to enjoy them this season is to dry slices in the oven and string orange garlands all over my tree. It’s a natural and simple way to bring an understated pop of color to an otherwise minimal tree.
Christmas Tree”
Okay, it’s art: the distilled essence of a Tannenbaum. If you don’t have room for a tree, we love this simple alternative. Visit a thrift store or your local Goodwill to pick up old sheet music and tape into a tree formation using neutral or festive washi tape. It’s the pinnacle of Christmas minimalism – and there’s nothing Charlie Brown about it.
Match it
Last year, Camille opted for a tree motif imitating an evergreen forest. She wanted a clean look while echoing the character and whimsy of her past Christmas trees. To do this, she matched her tree to the faux garland and wreath that hung from her coat. The whole is amplified and brought together by a mirror which gives the impression that the space is even larger than it is.
See More: Camille’s Evergreen Christmas Decor
Place it in a basket
It’s a bright, modern touch to bring to a small space. Rather than trying to balance an overly large tree in a corner where it will overwhelm the space, opt for a smaller scale instead. And with such a small tree, you can tuck it into a pretty woven basket. Trust me, the ambiance will be so warm and it’s a project you can complete from start to finish in about 10 minutes.
The Scandinavian tree
Scandinavian style is all about sleek, modern minimalism, and the less-is-more approach fits perfectly with the holidays. Finding a way to make a natural tree warm and festive is the height of Scandi-chic. With a clean color palette, furry cover and barely-there twinkle lights, the look is simple but very effective.
Make him moody
I like to create elegance with a clean palette. Cream, dark burgundy and deep taupe tones echo the modern, Nordic aesthetic of this home. If you like to incorporate lots of pieces into your modern Christmas tree decorations but still want the look to bring a sense of calm to your space, keep your ornaments darker while still letting your twinkle lights shine.
The naturalist Christmas tree
Because we’re all so excited to start the holiday season, Camille tends to set up her Austin home a little early. And yet she did everything A few years ago, the natural vibe and neutral color palette kept things organic.
See More: Camille’s Natural, Forest-Inspired Holiday Decor
When the star is a star
Decorating the Christmas tree is often the icing on the cake, but what if you really gave it a moment? Choose an edgy take on the traditional star for a sparkling, eye-catching statement.