Decorating with ethereal white and silver is one of those holiday looks that never loses its magic. Elegant and timeless in their simplicity, these tones bring a sense of serenity and sophistication to any festive scheme, making them a standout choice for Christmas decorating ideas.
While HGTV star Joanna Gaines first shared her take on this minimalist look a while ago, the aesthetic remains incredibly relevant and desirable for 2025, aligning perfectly with the current demand for curated, tranquil interiors.
Predominantly white and neutral interiors have long been a design staple, but during the holidays, they take on an even more enchanting quality. Evoking purity, light, and quiet confidence, white and silver offer the perfect foundation for a pared-back yet elevated Christmas palette. The key is to execute this simplicity with sophisticated layering, which is especially effective when decorating with white in a Christmas living room.
Hebe Hatton, Head of Interiors at Homes & Gardens, perfectly articulates this modern sensibility: ‘True festive minimalism elevates the mood – it doesn’t diminish the magic. Instead of clutter, we focus on textural depth and reflective surfaces, using a finely tuned palette of whites, silvers, and soft neutrals. This considered approach ensures the space radiates elegance and serenity, proving that quiet luxury can be profoundly festive.’
The trick, as Joanna Gaines so beautifully demonstrates, lies in the balance – pairing clean tones with layers of texture and soft metallic accents to create warmth without losing that essential sense of calm. Justyna Korczynska, senior designer at Crown, offers practical advice on tuning the temperature of the room:
‘There is no hard or fast rule with finding the perfect white Christmas ornaments – it really depends on what atmosphere you want to create. If the desire is to create a calm, serene space, then use white with silver for a cooler tone.’
For those craving a little extra coziness, she suggests layering in subtle touches of shimmering gold, brass, or champagne to lift the palette and infuse warmth. Last year, I added these Faux Birch Trees with LED Lights from Amazon to my holiday decor – and they were so beautiful, I never took them down. Their soft glow feels just as magical in July as it does at Christmas.
While some decorators instinctively lean toward traditional reds and greens, this softer, more ethereal approach to Christmas decorating has a lasting, sophisticated appeal. Joanna’s elegant white living room proves that a minimalist Christmas design can still feel warm, welcoming, and deeply festive – a truly inspirational look that continues to set the standard for tasteful holiday style long after its first debut.
Shop the White Christmas Look
Elevate your home this holiday season with my curated collection of hand-picked white and silver Christmas decor, perfect for creating a dazzling, elegant festive atmosphere.
Bring holiday magic to your decor with this handcrafted paper snowflake ornament. Laser-cut and intricately folded, it features delicate snowflake details, opens with magnets for display, and folds flat for easy storage.
Add a warm, festive glow to your holiday decor with these LED Candle Lights with Brass Clip. Featuring a soft white light and handy clip, they bring timeless charm to any Christmas tree.
Create a magical holiday glow with this Creative Mini Christmas Lights Set. Featuring 100 warm white incandescent bulbs on 26.5 ft of white wire, the lights are safe, durable, and connectable for endless decorating possibilities. Each bulb lights independently, adding sparkle to trees, balconies, gardens, or indoor spaces, while built-in fuses ensure worry-free festive charm.
Add a touch of holiday elegance with this Threshold Christmas Tree designed with Studio McGee. Made of marble, its twisted cone shape brings sophisticated seasonal charm to any tabletop or mantel. Suitable for indoor use.
Complete your holiday decor with this elegant white tree skirt. Crafted from plush cotton velvet, it features a subtle windowpane pattern and bound edges, adding a refined touch to the base of your tree.
Add a touch of refined glamor to your mantel with this Metal Twisted-Edge Stocking Holder. Crafted from iron and aluminum with a lustrous silver finish, its freestanding block base and ornate twisted edges elegantly display a single stocking. Perfect for consoles, shelves, or lining multiple holders along the mantel.
