5 ways to create a Winter Wonderland this Christmas

'tis the season to be jolly – get inspired with these stylish and elegant festive decoration ideas.

Christmas is a time for us all to reconnect with family and friends. Whether you’re hosting the big day itself or expecting guests throughout the festive period, a multi-functional orangery provides plenty of space to welcome all to your home.
With this year being the first time many of us will be able to spend it with loved ones since 2019, let’s make it one full of merriment and fun! To help you on your way to making this Christmas the best yet, we’ve gone back through some of our festive photoshoots to bring you a little inspiration on decorating your home for the festive season.

1. Festive Candles

When creating your own winter wonderland, be sure to add some festive scents into the mix. Our sense of smell is a powerful tool to unlock a million memories, particularly over the Christmas period. This is down to our ‘limbic system’, a part of the brain responsible for controlling mood, memory, behaviours and emotion. Like the fresh morning scent of pine to remind us of Christmas mornings when the kids are excitedly opening gifts from Santa, or the smell of mulled wine to bring back those fond memories of nan and grandad dancing merrily in front of the fireplace.
By finding your favourite festive candles, each year you can make sure you have one handy to fill the room with memories of Christmas. Aswell and creating a soft festive ambience from the glow of each flame. We opt for candles such as Winter by The White Company, a firm favourite that returns year-on-year. Spicy cinnamon, warming cloves, and zesty orange, the slow burn of this candle will release a traditional Christmas fragrance for guaranteed Christmas nostalgia.

2. Add layers of winter foliage

Christmas is all about feeling cosy and warm indoors, but we still want to enjoy nature and all that it has to offer at this time of year. So as you head out on your morning winter walks with the dog, take some secateurs and a hessian bag to start foraging for a few sprigs of evergreen foliage, winter berries and fallen twigs from vacated birds nests. These are ideal for not only a natural homemade wreath but also table decorations, vases and mantel decoration.
Like this example from Neptune that adds beautiful textural interest and brings a subtle wintery feel to your home. As we spend more time inside, having those touches of nature is sure to put a smile on everyone’s face.

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3. A festive wreath

Reignite your festive spirit every time you return home with a fragrant wreath hung upon your entrance door. Easily assembled at home with florist foam rings, natural rattan bases or moss rings, or bought from your nearest florist. A festive wreath is the perfect welcome home throughout December, as seen here hung from one of our very own entrance doors by Westbury Windows and Joinery. It’s also a great way to welcome your guests will a little sample of what’s to come inside…

4. ’tis the season for indulging

As a collective group of foodies, we’d be lying if we said we weren’t excited by all the food available over the Christmas period. If there’s any time of year for indulging in some of your favourites – it’s Christmas. But make a spectacle of it and consider displaying your food on the table ahead of your guest’s arrival and allow them to help themselves and feel at home.
Charcuterie or cheese boards make excellent foodie displays, where allowing them to warm, slightly, to room temperature reveals their true delicious flavours. Or for those with a sweet tooth amongst us, stacked mince pies or an extravagantly decorated Christmas cake are equally as enticing.

5. It’s all about the Tree

Finally, perhaps the most important element to any Christmas interior is that jaw-dropping Christmas Tree. Sure to become the main focal point within the room. Particularly an orangery or garden room where the high ceilings or pitched room lantern welcomes a tall, extravagant tree. The larger the tree the brighter the glow of delicate fairy lights, and the twinkle of glossy glass baubles.