Muted and demure vs. extravagant and maximalist. A palette of rich reds, dark greens and gleaming golds vs. a bright, hot pink. 

Seasonal decor this year has more options than ever, and striking a balance between the two ends of the spectrum can seem daunting. If you’re someone looking to inject a little holiday spirit into your home, you may not know where to begin or what path to take.

Holiday decor experts Jarrett Kemp of Appointments at Five and Alexa Stevenson of Alexa Stevenson Interior Design shared their top tips on how to juggle traditional and trending decor as you decorate for the holidays this year. 

Colors

A traditional Christmas full of reds, greens, white and gold is always a reliable way to go — but what do you do if you want to give the holiday a little revamp? 

Kemp said the use of hot pink for Christmas is a trend she has noticed over the past year, and it’s showing no signs of stopping.

“Pink is still very much hot,” Kemp said. “I’m talking like hot pink, like not a subtle, baby pink.”

Hot pink can be used anywhere from small ornaments and tabletop trinkets to a full-scale hot pink artificial tree. The use of the color depends on your taste and how much you want it to command your space, as the hue is more dominant than complementary.

Stevenson has a style that leans traditional, and recommends sticking to that classic color palette that comes to mind when you think of Christmas. She also said bringing out silver pieces to accentuate the home and give a bit of gleam is the right way to go if you want a conventional, yet elevated holiday look.

“I think it’s really nice to have any silver pieces out for the holidays,” Stevenson said. “The creams and the reds and then the white lights, I think that’s a really nice way to make it look pretty traditional.”

Bows

Bows are here to stay, it seems, and while they’re a trending item in both clothing and decor, they can also be made timeless. Kemp said bows add a touch of modernity to a classic decor look rather than solely being viewed as a trend that’s here today and gone tomorrow.

“Bows are still trending a lot right now,” Kemp said. “You’re still doing traditional, but you’re pulling a little bit of modern touch with the bows.”

Stevenson echoed the same sentiment surrounding the use of bows in holiday decor. She specifically advocates for using bows for small touches around the home, and said you can incorporate them over areas like the fireplace and kitchen sink in a modest way.

“Keep it simple,” Stevenson said. “Little things you could wrap up in a bow, I think always looks really nice.”

Tree Skirts

No matter what style of Christmas decor you choose, the tree is an essential element. Whether you do the tree all the way up to the nines or make it a sentimental family piece that allows you to reflect on holiday memories, the tree skirt is a key piece you shouldn’t skip out on.

Stevenson recommends using tree skirts as a way to incorporate a personal touch to the traditional Christmas tree setup. There are a breadth of options that stick to a classic look that allows the tree to shine, or you can branch out into more whimsical territory with one that commands more attention. 

Stevenson recommends choosing one that isn’t too daring, but still uses color to make the space a little playful.

“Tree skirts are just a really cute and colorful way to (have some fun),” Stevenson said. “(They’re) not in your face, but it’s still there and special.”

Lighting

Stevenson believes there’s only one way to go when it comes to lighting. 

“I suggest white lights everywhere,” Stevenson said. “It makes everything look cohesive.”

Colorful lights can quickly turn your space into a theme show or a space geared toward children, so be careful when selecting hues to use. Soft, white lights pull decor of any style together in a way that’s not overwhelming — with lighting, less can truly be more.

Big Picture

Each year, holiday decor becomes more daring and bold, and social media can amplify what seems like the norm for embellishing your home. The desire to experiment with eye-catching, trendy elements can help you make your home lively, bright and exciting.

“People are kind of going bigger than they normally would,” Kemp said. “People are kind of going bold.”

The experts certainly have their distinct opinions, styles and insights, but they don’t always agree on one “right” way to decorate.

The best tip you can receive this holiday season is to keep your decor true to you, your taste and your traditions. If you don’t know where to begin, start small and gradually figure out what feels like the right fit for yourself and your home in this holiday time.

“One thing is to embrace your traditions and come up with your own traditions,” Stevenson said. “Keep it pretty simple with fresh garland, fresh things.”

Ella Kroll is a senior majoring in journalism at the University of Georgia. She produced this story in a home and garden writing class.