4 Home Design Trends Taking Over This Holiday Season

The end-of-year holiday season continues to grow when it comes to home décor, with some homeowners decorating for fall and Halloween in August and Christmas trees popping up in early November.

According to a recent survey of more than 1,000 Americans conducted by Thumbtack, half of homeowners are refreshing their décor for every holiday, turning fall and winter into a months-long rotation of festive looks. The results show just how much the season has expanded, with decorating starting earlier and earlier each year.

The trend points to a rise in "practical maximalism," Thumbtack reports, where people are creating cozier spaces that feel festive but are still intentional and affordable, with over a third preferring to mix and match pieces with a few seasonal touches and affordable swaps like candles, textiles, and simple tablescapes. The survey results also reveal that more than half of respondents reuse décor year after year, and 43 percent consider sustainability before purchasing new decorations.

Most survey participants reported spending under $200 annually on festive décor, and nearly half are holding steady or cutting back compared to last year. Instead of expensive decorating styles, homeowners are using affordable elements like lighting (51 percent) and textiles (49 percent) to create a significant impact without incurring a substantial cost, and over a third are even switching up their scents seasonally.

If they did have extra money, nearly a quarter said that they would splurge on a bigger holiday décor budget, and 23 percent would hire professional help.

Here are the ways homeowners are getting their homes ready for the holiday season this year.

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Lighting Upgrades

According to Thumbtack, lighting is the number one social media-inspired project (30 percent) homeowners are tackling this season, installing color-changing bulbs and LED strips. It’s also the décor element most homeowners consider the best “bang-for-buck” upgrade (27 percent).

While half of homeowners feel comfortable DIYing simple swaps like plug-in string lights or battery-powered candles, nearly one-third still prefer to hire pros for more technical setups such as smart systems, the survey found.

Nostalgic Touches

Despite the influx of viral, trendy holiday décor items all over social media, timeless decorating ideas continue to be the most popular, with over a third (39 percent) saying holiday decorating is about honoring the traditions they grew up with.

More than half of homeowners (52 percent) say they’ll stick with traditional décor this season, from red-and-green palettes and classic ornaments to fireplace stockings and door wreaths. These findings reinforce the growing popularity of the "Ralph Lauren Christmas" trend that's become big this season.

Welcoming Entryways

When it comes to refreshing décor, entryways are the priority for homeowners, with wreaths, garlands, and door décor (58 percent) being the top holiday swap, according to the survey results.

Bright Backyards

From grill upgrades to expansive patio remodels to hot tub installations, Thumbtack found that homeowners are continuing to transform their backyards into year-round gathering spaces. And that includes adding holiday lights. In fact, based on Thumbtack's database of millions of home projects, interest in outdoor holiday light installation rose 40 percent year over year.