Design Trends

6 Simple Holiday Décor Ideas Inspired By Nature

A modern take on tradition.

By Sacha Strebe
Camille Styles holiday decor from nature.

We’re just a week and a half out from Thanksgiving and the holiday spirit is in full swing over here at Camille Styles HQ. That means we’re also in full holiday decorating mode and we couldn’t be happier about it. (Who else is tempted to put up their Christmas tree now? *sheepishly raises hand).

With the changing of the seasons comes new flowers, berries, branches, and foliage to explore, and naturally it’s also inspired us to get out the garden shears and bring them all indoors. If you’re also in the mood to bring the outside in and want to infuse a modern approach to the season at home, then try these six simple holiday décor ideas inspired by nature and bring your home to life.

Brady Tolbert Christmas holiday nature decorimage via Emily Henderson

Pretty It Up With Pine Cones

If there’s one decoration that gives your home that holiday touch in an instant, it’s pine cones. This stylish seasonal wonder is a classic must-have to transition your space into the festive spirit. Place them in a bowl on the table or position them in a garland on top of the mantel like the stylist, Brady Tolbert did here. Sprinkle some smaller sizes around the bottom of the tree or across your holiday tablescapes.

 

Target Artificial Christmas Pinecones 12ct 

Pottery Barn fresh winter garland

Pottery Barn Fresh Winter Garland

Emily Henderson holiday decor

photography by Sara Ligorria-Tramp for Emily Henderson

Opt for Faux Foliage

It’s okay, we know the idea of anything faux sounds cringeworthy but bear with us here because we can honestly say that faux foliage, plants, greenery, and even florals have come alonnnng way. And you don’t have to spend a ton to get the quality your home deserves either. Target, West Elm, Pottery Barn, CB2, Crate & Barrel, and so many more have incredibly beautiful faux arrangements, branches, garlands, clippings, and stems to choose from. Decorate your entry with faux garlands like Emily Henderson did here and bring your home to life this season. No one will know they’re not real, we promise!

hearth and hand faux snowberry stems

Hearth & Hand™ with Magnolia Faux Snowberry Stem

hearth and hand faux cedar branches

 

Hearth & Hand™ with Magnolia 20″ Faux Cedar Swag with Berries and Pinecones

photography by Kristen Kilpatrick

Go Beyond Green

When we think of nature-inspired décor our minds instantly think green but there are so many other incredible colors to incorporate into our homes this season—red, white, burgundy, or even pink can all be found in nature and still evoke the festive spirit. Mix it up with a red berry wreath like Camille’s living room here or throw some pink pepperberry into a simple vase on a side table. Experiment, play and have fun with it.

Crate & Barrel red berry wreath

Crate & Barrel Red Berry Wreath

pottery barn faux berry branches

 

Pottery Barn Faux Berry Branches, Set of 3

Lauren Smith Ford home

photography by Hannah Haston

Branch Out

There is nothing quite like a bold branch freshly cut and trimmed from outside to give your home a sculptural touch this season. Cut a few different branches and experiment with them in vintage vessels or a terracotta jug. If you’re not keen on cutting your own, then there are so many branches and preserved berry stems you can buy online now to achieve the same effect as Lauren Smith Ford did here.

urban stems berry branches

 

Urban Stems The Holly Ilex Red Berries With Vase

Afloral pepperberry branches

 

Afloral Preserved Pepperberry in Ivory

Emily Henderson holiday

Use Fresh Clippings

You don’t have to spend money to bring nature in. In fact, you could keep things simple with just a few fresh clippings from your garden or head out for a walk and see what you can find along the way. And you don’t have to go big. Sometimes just a few leafy twigs or stems can give the same effect and bring the room to life without going full holiday as Emily Henderson did here. It’s a small moment that keeps things fresh and lightens the mood. Look for non-traditional styles too, but more on that in the next tip!

pottery barn olive branch

Pottery Barn Faux Olive Branch

west elm dried eucalyptus branch

 

West Elm Eucalyptus Bundle

Camille Styles Thanksgiving table, earthy, natural, minimalist Thanksgiving table ideas

Think Beyond Traditional

Of course, we will always love branches of cedar, holly, or ivy around the home this time of year but don’t be afraid of introducing some non-traditional stems, greenery, foliage, and branches into the mix too. We love eucalyptus (the silver dollar variety is our favorite) and olive branches which Camille Styles used for her Thanksgiving tablescape. (Fun Fact: These were clippings from her trees in the backyard!). Fuse different varietals into a garland for a modern approach to holiday décor. We also love wooden decorations for the mantel for natural texture.

creekside farms eucalyptus garland

Creekside Farms Mixed Eucalyptus Garland

Farmside pottery handcrafted woodland ornament gift box

Farmhouse Pottery Handcrafted Woodland Ornament Gift Box (Set of 5)

 

Up Next: My Thanksgiving Table Brings All the Hygge Vibes This Year