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Fireplaces, thanks to their dreamy mantels, are one of the most sought-after home features — especially around the holiday season. That area essentially becomes the heart or focal point of your Christmas decor, as it’s where stockings are hung and family gathers. However, if you’re justdecorating the actual mantel and not the space around it, then you’re really missing out on a dramatic decor moment.
Carrie Miller from @acarriedaffairdesigns wanted a Christmas aesthetic that’s “classy with elegance, but nostalgic.” And to Miller, that means going back to basics with garlands, tinsel, and pops of red. In the living room, Miller gave the mantel the Christmas treatment, but also carried the decor to the ceiling, which really transformed the entire room.
“This is hands-down my favorite Christmas look I’ve ever done,” Miller wrote in an Instagram caption. “I thought last year would be impossible to top, but I did it! And we don’t even have the tree yet.”
How to Make Your Mantel Pop This Christmas
Miller’s fireplace is set along a wall of bookshelves, so there’s a perfect alcove to hang garland above the mantel. But you can easily re-create this setup with a bump-out fireplace, or if your fireplace is set into a flat wall.
“I started with adding garland to the top of the bookshelves, and then of course, added some red garland,” Miller said in the video. Miller draped a swag of faux greenery above the mantel and then layered a red ornament garland and a handmade red paper chain garland in front of it. Then, Miller carried the paper chain into the center of the room, where a wreath was hung like a pendant light.
“And then I wanted to do something even more crazy and put a wreath in the center of our living room because we don’t have lighting,” Miller continued. “I added different sizes of red ornaments and used ribbon like streamers and topped it with some poinsettias and red holly stems.”
Of course, Miller’s actual mantel gets the Christmas treatment, too, with some faux pine stems, large red ornaments, and red velvet bows tied to the candlesticks. But it’s really all about what’s happening up above.
Think outside the box when decorating your mantel this Christmas, and you might end up with the most whimsical, nostalgic, and perfectly over-the-top decor ever!
In my role at Apartment Therapy, I’m most passionate about making my home look beautiful and organized and helping our readers do the same — often at a discount. Although I cover my fair share of newsy pieces, my work focuses on long-form service articles that help our audience…read more
Kelly Dawson is a writer, editor, and media consultant. Her writing has appeared in almost every major American design publication, most notably as a longtime contributor to Architectural Digest and Dwell, and she’s also been published in places like The New York Times, AFAR,…read more
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Before Scandinavian design became synonymous with pale wood floors and clean-lined chairs, it was a response to everyday life in the Nordic countries (Denmark, Norway, Sweden, Finland, and Iceland). It developed in response to the region’s long, sun-deprived winters, shaping its emphasis on natural materials, usefulness, and bright interiors.
Beyond its cozy sense of “hygge,” the Danish concept of contented well-being, Scandinavian design is also philosophical. It reflects an investment in craftsmanship and the belief that well-made objects can — and should — improve daily living.
“Scandinavian design is known for its warmth and simplicity,” says architect Karen Frome, owner and founder of New York-based Rise Projects. “Their theory is that design should be present in all aspects of life to enrich and elevate the everyday experience. It creates a beautiful and eminently livable aesthetic, but more importantly, it maintains that design is for everyone and not a luxury commodity. ”
That democratic spirit helped make Scandinavian design one of the most influential global aesthetics of the 20th century. Namesake designers like Alvar Aalto, Arne Jacobsen, and Hans Wegner created pieces that weren’t just visually striking; they were also pragmatic and eternally in style. That unpretentious, practical mentality still shapes Scandinavian interiors today.
What Exactly is Scandinavian Design?
At its core, Scandinavian design is a balancing act: Simple but not sterile, thoughtful without trying too hard, and utilitarian yet not rigid. It leans minimalist in its style, yes, but softened by tactile materials and inviting textures. Most importantly, its design is defined not just by how a space looks but how it feels.
“Scandinavian design blends minimalism and warmth,” says Los Angeles-based interior designer Sarah West. “Each space is created with intentional choices that emphasize function.”
Clean lines and neutral color palettes guide the framework, while natural textures — wood, wool, leather, and linen — give the style depth.
Lived-in warmth is what differentiates Scandinavian interiors from other minimalist styles. A room may be pared back, but it’s never cold. Architect Marina Bourderonnet, founding partner of FAME Architecture & Design in Los Angeles, explains, “Scandinavian design is about coziness and the true feeling of home. It celebrates timelessness and the simple things in life: a warm wooden floor, a soft throw, light filtering through large windows. It’s the kind of space that makes you feel grounded, cared for, and at home.”
Ultimately, Scandinavian design endures because it isn’t just visually appealing; it also promotes serene spaces that enhance daily routines.
When Did Scandinavian Design Become Popular?
Designmuseum Danmark traces the global rise of Scandinavian design to the 1950s and ’60s, when Nordic designers introduced a warmer take on modernist design. Their approach stood in contrast to the era’s more austere interpretations that didn’t focus on comfort at all.
The Vitra Design Museum, which houses one of the largest collections of Nordic modernist furniture, credits designers like Alvar Aalto — with his gently curved armchairs, iconic vases, and major institutional buildings — with shaping international perceptions of Nordic style. “He took the hard edge off the modernist movement using organic shapes, warmer materials, and a lighter palette,” Frome explains.
Today, Scandinavian design remains influential, reflected in the enduring popularity of warm minimalism, natural materials, and functional living. Design lovers across continents continue to draw on its principles. Bourderonnet attributes this staying power to how Scandinavian spaces embody “calm, comfort, and harmony,” a balance that feels both grounding and livable.
3 Essential Scandinavian Design Principles You Should Know
Scandinavian design may look effortless, but its visual clarity is built on a handful of core principles. These ideas anchor the style, creating spaces that are both practical and pretty.
Nature-Inspired Materials
Nature is ever-present in Scandinavian interiors, whether through birch floors, linen drapery, or wool blankets. “Materials are thoughtfully curated, creating a serene, organic connection to nature,” West says.
Bourderonnet adds that Scandinavian spaces echo “the textures of the natural world,” from stone and wood to handmade ceramics. “Think of a pale oak dining table with a soft wool throw draped over a chair,” she says.
5 Tips for Bringing Scandinavian Style into Any Space
Scandinavian design is surprisingly easy to incorporate into any home, no renovation required. A few adjustments can shift a room toward the calm, warm minimalism the style is known for.
Prioritize Natural Materials
Scandinavian interiors depend on tactile, organic materials to add warmth. Bourderonnet suggests pairing light woods (like pine, oak, or birch) with wool and linen textiles in soft neutrals such as white, gray, and beige.
For gentle contrast, layer in accents of pale pastels. Finish spaces with a few handmade objects, like ceramics or carved wood, for additional conversation-starting character.
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As an interior design writer, my greatest resources for trendspotting are the people who have boots on the ground: interior designers, who see and set the trends themselves every day. With the new year right around the corner, Apartment Therapy recently launched its fifth annual State of Home Design, a survey which polled around 140 designers to uncover the latest trends in interiors.
One of the questions we asked the design community was which new trends they hoped would stick around for 2026. Their answers? Around 14% of the designers polled said they hope that pattern mixing and pattern play are here to stay. And I know I’m not the only one who agrees — this refreshing, fun, and versatile maximalist styling trend is truly shaking up the design industry.
What Is Pattern Play, and Why Is It So Popular in Home Design?
As the name implies, pattern play involves styling different patterns together to craft vibrant spaces that are visually arresting and showcase the homeowners’ distinctive personal style. Pattern play is full of possibilities — from checkered curtains with floral wallpaper to a statement rug and a striped couch, any and all surfaces in the home can be experimented with.
Not only does pattern mixing create a sense of depth and dimension, but it also offers endless possibilities for creativity. As designer JoAnna Baum of JoAnna Baum Interiors puts it, “Pattern mixing [is] always fresh, and there are so many unique ways to pull it off.”
“I love pattern mixing and playing with patterns because it creates personality in a space and makes a room memorable,” says designer Rebecca F. Jones of Rebecca Frye Design. The trend most definitely reflects the rise of personality-driven interiors and the continuing popularity of maximalism we saw this year in 2025 — and I hope to see a whole lot more of it next year, too.
How Designers Are Using Pattern Play in Design
From wallpapers and flooring to curtains and carpets, patterns can be used on any surface of home interiors. Designers are also incorporating pattern mixing with bold hues to make a striking statement.
Designer Kelley Kolettis agreed, answering with a resounding “color and pattern!” She went on to discuss how people are currently incorporating pattern play in fun ways, specifically mentioning the resurgence of wallpaper and updated flooring styles. “We love that wallpaper has made a comeback and the unique ways that it can be applied — including the ceiling or within picture-box molding panels,” she says.
“Checkered tile floor patterns have also been trending with the updated styles of using large-format neutral stone tiles that have a timeless lived-in-luxury look,” Kolettis adds.
Next year, pattern play will continue to be a powerful tool for injecting character, depth, and vibrancy into home interiors. Based on the insights from leading designers, we can confidently expect this awe-inspiring trend to continue dominating interiors well into 2026.
