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When it comes to holiday decorations, it’s all about personality. While some might love a maximalist Christmas, others cringe at the sight of colored lights. If you're in the latter group, here's our suggestion: Go all out with the garlands and twinkly lights and opt for a more minimalist Christmas tree. After all, less really is more. So whether you’re waiting to grow your ornament collection before designing a maximalist display or just want to pare it back this year, keeping it simple this year isn’t a bad idea.
First, start with the tree—opt for a lush, voluminous Douglas fir, a sparse evergreen, or anything in between—and then strategize your display. If you’re going the minimalist route, you may want to choose only one or two decorations rather than a whole collection. If you’ve got enough on your plate this holiday season, allow us to guide you through some minimalist Christmas tree inspiration. Ahead, discover our favorite tree ideas that will bring life and cheeriness into your home.
From a tree drenched in gentle silver-toned tinsel to one featuring nothing but microlights, there are a lot of beautiful options out there. Luckily, we’re here to point them out and give you a few ideas for your own tree. We’ll even suggest a few specific decorations to snag (and tell you where to get them!). So if you’re feeling festive and want to get started on your holiday decor, there’s no time like the present. Plus, with a minimalist Christmas tree, you won’t have to spend hours decorating it.
A full, lush Christmas tree may be the one you're expected to pick up at your local tree farm, but hear us out: Sparcer trees are trendy. This one from Terrain gleams—especially at night—with twinkly lights wrapped around each of the branches.
If you're not into ornaments or lights this year, consider loosely wrapping a wide gold-toned ribbon around your tree. It's festive enough to add a touch of charisma without overpowering the look of a typical Christmas tree.
A faux tree dusted in artificial snow is perhaps the lowest maintenance we've seen. All you have to do is take it out of the box, and boom, you've got yourself a beautifully festive Christmas tree.
It doesn't quite feel like Christmas without a few glimmering ornaments, so if you can't help yourself, opt for a set of Champagne-toned ones and delicately arrange them on a few branches.
We love this West Elm find because it looks more like decor than it does a typical Christmas tree. Plus, all of that extra space under the branches means more room for presents!
Lights are an essential element of holiday decorating, but they can be a pain—especially when they get all tangled and impossible to separate. That's why tiny lights arranged on a super-delicate wire is a great solution.
Even faux trees look better with a skirt. Keep it simple with an Earth-toned linen option that won't take away from your decorations; only enhance them.
Etsy is home to some of the most beautifully handmade wares, and this reclaimed wood tree topper is proof. It's elegant in its simplicity, which is what makes it the perfect finishing touch on a minimalist Christmas tree.
Tinsel may seem easy to use, but beware of clumping. Gently place bunches of tinsel on the tips of each branch, creating an ethereal masterpiece that catches any ray of light. Arranging the tinsel may take some time, but we'd say it's worth it.
A charming take on the classic spherical ornaments, this set of glittery pinecones will give your tree a glamorously rustic touch. Our advice? Don't use any other ornaments and let these shine on their own.
For anyone running low on time, consider grabbing one of these oversized velvet bows and fasten it to a branch toward the top of your tree. There's nothing more festive than bright red against dark green.
Anything that boasts a simple and pared-back look can be considered minimalism. There are no hard rules when it comes to minimalist design.
Generally, decorating a minimalist Christmas tree is quicker and easier than going all out with a maximalist alternative. That said, even simple decorations require some thought and can take more than a few minutes to carry out.
There's nothing worse than sloppy Christmas decorations—especially when it comes to the tree. So this year, we're keeping things extra tidy with minimalist trees that don't require too many elements. We've found all of our favorite decorations that are as elegant as they are simple.
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