15 Modern Christmas Decor Ideas for a Fresh Take on the Classics

Deck your halls in contemporary style this season.

Christmas is typically all about traditions, but this year we're putting a modern spin on our favorite classics. Wreaths, trees, and holiday garlands are all getting a contemporary makeover. If you're ready for a change from the traditional red and green decorations, we're sharing our favorite modern Christmas ideas to give you endless merry inspiration.

These modern Christmas decor ideas include everything from white Christmas trees and whimsical rainbow mantel decorations to monochrome tablescapes and nontraditional Advent calendars. Mix the old with the new to give your usual Christmas decor a refreshing update. This season, prepare to deck the halls with these fresh decor ideas.

Modern Staircase Garland

A garland adorning the staircase is as traditional as Christmas decor gets. Give the classic decoration a modern update by incorporating fresh silver dollar eucalyptus stems into the greenery for a more contemporary look. The greenery sprigs will add extra fullness and a beautiful fragrance. And, it dries well you won't need to worry about replacing it throughout the holiday season. Continue the modern theme with an unexpected ribbon color, such as this wide black satin ribbon that makes a stunning statement.

Modern Meets Traditional

Modern design meets traditional Christmas elements in this moody living room. Plaid throw pillows, stockings, and tree decorations bring in a familiar, classic look, while an asymmetrical garland on the mantel and a casual woven bowl filled with glass ornaments give the space a contemporary twist. Mixing the old with the new will instantly give your Christmas decor a refreshing update.

Modern White Christmas Tree

A white Christmas tree loaded with shiny pink and gold ornaments makes for a striking statement in this modern entryway. A stark departure from a classic green Christmas tree, it adds fairytale-like feel and creates a stunning backdrop for bright colored ornaments and lots of twinkle lights. Whether you're going for sophisticated glamor or your holiday decor leans towards a rustic farmhouse style, a white tree is the perfect festive blend of contemporary style and nostalgic charm.

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Black and White Christmas Tablescape

Skip the traditional colors and opt for a monochrome black and white look this Christmas. Matte black dishes and silverware create a solid backdrop for striped napkins and placemats, and a pair of black and silver jingle bells add a festive touch. A fresh stem of greenery livens up the tablescape and brings in a pop of quintessential Christmas green.

Christmas Countdown Chalkboard

Nothing embodies the excitement and anticipation of the holiday season like an Advent calendar. This oversized chalkboard Christmas countdown takes the idea to the next level, turning it into a piece of art that makes for a festive addition to this rustic dining room. A garland of lush greenery adorns the large framed chalkboard and a simple wreath marks each day that brings us closer to Christmas.

Red and White Color Palette

Give your Christmas wreath a modern update by adorning it with a mix of glass ornaments and fluffy pompoms of various sizes and colors. It'll create a nice mix of textures to complement a fresh evergreen wreath, and add a fun twist to a traditional holiday staple. There's no color more synonymous with Christmas than red, but pairing it with white and gray accents modernizes the traditional color palette. Skip the ribbon to keep your wreath streamlined and contemporary.

Christmas Ornament Wall Art

Instead of a decorative Christmas wreath above the bar cart, a modern piece of art featuring metallic ornaments ushers in the holiday cheer. Make your own Christmas-inspired wall art by gathering different sizes, colors, and textures of shatterproof ornaments and attach them to a white canvas using a hot glue gun. Arrange the ornaments in an organic shape to create a modern abstract effect and stick to a neutral color palette of gold, silver, and white for an elegant look.

Wreath-Style Advent Calendar

A wreath made out of round white containers and hung with a polka dot blue and gold ribbon doubles as an Advent calendar filled with small gifts. It's a creative and modern take on both a classic holiday wreath as well as the traditional Christmas countdown, and if you're short on wall space, this decoration does double holiday duty. A collection of kraft paper boxes, wrapped blue and gold packages, cellophane bags filled with holiday goodies, and little chocolates serve as decorations as well as a daily surprise leading up to Christmas.

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Bedroom Holiday Decor

Add a touch of holiday cheer to every room in the house, including the bedrooms. This rustic wood bunk bed gets a merry makeover with simple Christmas accents that make a big impact. Black and white buffalo check bedding is a modern twist on classic plaid, and a sweet garland made out of green felt is a playful, kid-friendly alternative to greenery. A mini Christmas tree completes the holiday look.

Modern Rustic Entryway

This modern rustic entryway creates a warm welcome with a festive wreath, stack of gifts wrapped in neutral-colored paper, and a hanging plaid blanket fit for a holiday sleigh ride. The traditional evergreen Christmas wreath gets a modern makeover with a woodland-themed wreath adorned with pinecones and a set of antlers.

Christmas Shelf Styling

Instead of clearing your bookshelves to make room for all your Christmas decorations, incorporate holiday accents into your existing decor. A bowl filled with colorful ornaments, a few bottle brush trees, and some sparkly gold candle holders are all you need to give your shelves a dose of festive cheer. A stunning silver and gold bauble wreath hung with a modern black ribbon adds a festive finishing touch and pops against the white wood built-ins in this modern home.

Modern Christmas Place Setting

This modern Christmas tablescape mixes matte black dishes with a wood charger, rustic white salad plate, and antique-style gold flatware for a layered place setting. A festive pomegranate and red tartan napkin add a hint of tradition, while a fresh stem of seeded eucalyptus is a modern twist on classic evergreen sprigs. A lush green centerpiece of fragrant eucalyptus branches adds height and greenery, and small gold candle holders create a warm and welcoming ambience no holiday table can do without.

Rainbow-Colored Mantel Decor

Trade stockings and greenery for a more contemporary holiday look by adding rainbow-inspired decor to your Christmas mantel. Bright pink, teal, and orange may not be part of the traditional holiday color palette, but non-traditional colors and rainbow hues are one of this year's hottest Christmas trends. An array of colorful bottle brush trees add height and texture and a fluffy pompom garland is a fun way to continue the color theme. Unlike traditional decor, you won't feel like you need to take down these decorations the second Christmas is over—leave them up through January to infuse those cold dreary days with a little color.

Simple Christmas Touches

Maintain your home's color palette and decor style by incorporating subtle holiday accents that blend in seamlessly with the rest of your home. Instead of clearing all your shelves, tabletops, and walls to make room for Christmas decor, keep it simple. A trio of mercury glass trees and a white poinsettia are an elegant edition to a wood console or entry table.

Modern Christmas Mantel

Sticking with a winter theme rather than traditional Christmas colors is an easy way to keep your decor fresh and modern—plus, it means you can keep it up after the holidays without it looking out of place. An evergreen garland decorated with gold and clear ornaments is a timeless choice whether you're decorating a traditional or modern mantel, and two mismatched candlesticks add height and tie in the colors in the artwork in this contemporary-style home. A pine framed print featuring wispy painted green and blue trees is the perfect way to tie in the color and theme of this modern Christmas mantel.