16 Modern Christmas Decorating Ideas Sure to Spread Cheer

Deck the halls this holiday season with these creative, modern Christmas decorations.

’Tis the season to fill your abode with sparkle and cheer. Though it’s an age-old tradition, that doesn’t mean you can’t update classic looks with modern Christmas decor that reflects your style sensibilities—and your home’s aesthetic.

Minimalist Christmas decorations are no less festive than traditional decorations; in fact, this is a case where adage "Less is more" rings true. Your pared-back choices reflect a peaceful holiday vibe, while brightly colored, midcentury modern Christmas decorations bring nostalgia and merriment into the abode.

Here, we’ve got all the inspiration you’ll need to bring modern Christmas decor into your home this holiday season. 

1. Minimalist Design in Black and White

Who says Christmas decor has to be red and green? This minimalist Christmas decor makes use of black and white, one of the most on-trend color combinations this holiday season.

Who says Christmas decor has to be red and green? This minimalist Christmas decor makes use of black and white, one of the most on-trend color combinations this holiday season.

This simple, chic modern holiday decor makes for an easy DIY project. Gather your favorite greenery and a sturdy twig, and bind them together with a copper band for a metallic accent—or your favorite ribbon. For a more classic Christmas vibe, add a poinsettia into the mix. 

This simple, chic modern holiday decor makes for an easy DIY project. Gather your favorite greenery and a sturdy twig, and bind them together with a copper band for a metallic accent—or your favorite ribbon. For a more classic Christmas vibe, add a poinsettia into the mix. 

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Creekside Farms Boxwood & Myrtle Half Wreath
Think outside the box in boxwood. Hang this smaller version of our popular wreaths over the mantel or in a hallway for an unexpected pop of holiday greenery. Made from sprightly and verdant boxwood and myrtle exclusively for Food52, it’ll bring a touch of green to your home for up to a year.
This modern Christmas wreath proclaims the joy of the season while keeping the greenery minimal by using eucalyptus instead of the more traditional pine or holly greens. The twine lends a rustic backdrop for the letters. 

This modern Christmas wreath proclaims the joy of the season while keeping the greenery minimal by using eucalyptus instead of the more traditional pine or holly greens. The twine lends a rustic backdrop for the letters. 

Capturing one of the trends in modern Christmas decor, this asymmetrical wreath is a balanced composition of white roses, ranunculus, and red berries that pop against olive branches—all wrapped around a copper frame. If you want to place a modern Christmas wreath above your mantle or on your front door, look for one that incorporates pared-down greenery with geometric designs. 

Capturing one of the trends in modern Christmas decor, this asymmetrical wreath is a balanced composition of white roses, ranunculus, and red berries that pop against olive branches—all wrapped around a copper frame. If you want to place a modern Christmas wreath above your mantle or on your front door, look for one that incorporates pared-down greenery with geometric designs. 

Natural wood makes a perfect choice for modern Christmas tree decorations, like the simple wooden garland seen here. Geometric shapes add a touch of visual interest to the strands of wooden beads. Pair this with your favorite modern Christmas ornaments, or let it adorn your tree by itself for the perfect minimalist look.

Natural wood makes a perfect choice for modern Christmas tree decorations, like the simple wooden garland seen here. Geometric shapes add a touch of visual interest to the strands of wooden beads. Pair this with your favorite modern Christmas ornaments, or let it adorn your tree by itself for the perfect minimalist look.

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West Elm Wooden Ball Garland
Draped along a mantel or staircase, this Wooden Ball Garland is an effortless way to add a touch of winter white to your space.
There's no way Santa will miss this eye-catching modern Christmas stocking. With trendy, black-and-white stripes and gold details, it's sure to be a lovely addition to your modern Christmas decor.

There's no way Santa will miss this eye-catching modern Christmas stocking. With trendy, black-and-white stripes and gold details, it's sure to be a lovely addition to your modern Christmas decor.

Simple details and a neutral color palette characterize these modern Christmas stockings that depart from the traditional red-and-white scheme. They're right at home and ready to be filled as they hang from the mantle by monogrammed stocking holders adorned with vintage knobs. 

Simple details and a neutral color palette characterize these modern Christmas stockings that depart from the traditional red-and-white scheme. They're right at home and ready to be filled as they hang from the mantle by monogrammed stocking holders adorned with vintage knobs. 

Add a touch of whimsy to your Christmas tree with this adorable tree skirt. Embroidered with colorfully patterned ornaments that pop against a white background, it's one of our favorite midcentury modern Christmas decorations. 

Add a touch of whimsy to your Christmas tree with this adorable tree skirt. Embroidered with colorfully patterned ornaments that pop against a white background, it's one of our favorite midcentury modern Christmas decorations. 

This festive wreath has all the elements of classic midcentury modern Christmas decorations. With a bevy of bright colors and lots of shiny tinsel, it's sure to be the focal point of your modern holiday decor. What's more, it makes for a simple DIY project, too. 

This festive wreath has all the elements of classic midcentury modern Christmas decorations. With a bevy of bright colors and lots of shiny tinsel, it's sure to be the focal point of your modern holiday decor. What's more, it makes for a simple DIY project, too. 

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Terrain Christmas Tree Mouse Felt Ornament
Felted wool; indoor use only.
Cody Foster Vintage-Inspired Glass Food Ornaments
For festive food lovers.
Add a glimmer of gold to your Christmas tree with these modern, two-tone Christmas ornaments. Base colors of trendy black and white give way to timeless gold on these beautiful baubles.

Add a glimmer of gold to your Christmas tree with these modern, two-tone Christmas ornaments. Base colors of trendy black and white give way to timeless gold on these beautiful baubles.

This gold-toned geometric tree topper makes a dashing statement when it rests atop your modern Christmas tree. It's simple and understated, yet elegant enough to be the right finishing touch. 

This gold-toned geometric tree topper makes a dashing statement when it rests atop your modern Christmas tree. It's simple and understated, yet elegant enough to be the right finishing touch. 

We can't get enough of these modern Christmas ornaments by Czech designer NAJLETO. Handcrafted from white porcelain and shaped with clean lines, this monochromatic set lends a minimalist vibe to your modern Christmas decor. 

We can't get enough of these modern Christmas ornaments by Czech designer NAJLETO. Handcrafted from white porcelain and shaped with clean lines, this monochromatic set lends a minimalist vibe to your modern Christmas decor. 

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These modern Christmas ornaments, crafted in light wood and dipped in white, would pair perfectly with the modern garland shown above. Or, create a stunning display by hanging them from a black Christmas tree for a dramatic aesthetic. 

These modern Christmas ornaments, crafted in light wood and dipped in white, would pair perfectly with the modern garland shown above. Or, create a stunning display by hanging them from a black Christmas tree for a dramatic aesthetic. 

If you're looking to DIY your modern Christmas decor this year, look no further than these simple black and white orbs inscribed with holiday-inspired messages. All you need to create this look is the ornaments, a white paint pen, and a black Sharpie. These modern Christmas ornaments are a great way to stay on budget and on trend.

If you're looking to DIY your modern Christmas decor this year, look no further than these simple black and white orbs inscribed with holiday-inspired messages. All you need to create this look is the ornaments, a white paint pen, and a black Sharpie. These modern Christmas ornaments are a great way to stay on budget and on trend.

Adorn your rafters with these radiant bursts of light if you're looking for modern Christmas outdoor decor. Tiny twinkling lights are understated and elegant, making your space look elegant rather than overdone.

Adorn your rafters with these radiant bursts of light if you're looking for modern Christmas outdoor decor. Tiny twinkling lights are understated and elegant, making your space look elegant rather than overdone.

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Modern outdoor Christmas decorations add a hint of the holidays without being boastful and overdone. Here, just a touch of greenery is all that's needed to create this understated yet unforgettable scene. 

Modern outdoor Christmas decorations add a hint of the holidays without being boastful and overdone. Here, just a touch of greenery is all that's needed to create this understated yet unforgettable scene. 

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