This is the one unexpected trend all beautiful homes will be doing this Christmas (and it’s in the one room you always forget)
You’re definitely forgetting one room in the home when decorating for Christmas, but this subtle trick changes everything
While we pour endless energy into dressing our living rooms for Christmas, the bathroom is routinely overlooked. Homeowners and interior designers are officially changing the game, turning to bathroom Christmas garlands to inject a splash of festivity into bathing spaces.
You can add an unexpected layer of festive luxury to your everyday winter routine by extending your Christmas decorating ideas beyond the hallway.
This trend is all about carefree, spa-inspired decadence, so forget about subtlety. Here’s why it’s in the spotlight for Christmas 2026 and how you can recreate one of the simplest trends of the season.
Hosting is soon to be our top priority as we start preparing for the upcoming season. Every area, including the main family bathrooms, en suites, and downstairs loos, will soon see a constant flow of visitors and overnight guests.
The charm is immediately broken by entering a stark, unadorned bathroom after leaving a festive, candlelit living room or hallway. Adding a little greenery to each bathing area ensures that your guests are surrounded by cosy, considerate luxury no matter where they spend the night, keeping that wonderful Christmas story flowing effortlessly.
‘Bathrooms are often overlooked during Christmas decorating, but many of the beautiful houses that grace the pages of The English Home prove they deserve a second thought,’ says Charlotte Dunford, houses editor at The English Home.
‘Adding a festive garland over a beam, shelf or mirror can transform your space into a cosy winter retreat – the perfect backdrop for a relaxing bath after a cold walk. For an extra dose of magic, try twining bathroom-safe fairy lights through the garland,’ she continues.
The secret to bringing this look home is wonderfully simple: designers and homeowners are almost exclusively styling their garlands in two prime spots – along deep window sills or resting across picture ledges and panelling.
A lush swath draped along a picture ledge or dado rail creates a dreamy, eye-level focal point directly above a freestanding tub, while a low-profile garland on a window sill frames the natural light and garden views outside.
The best thing about this trend is that you don’t have to wrestle with floral wire for hours or cover every surface with pine needles. In fact, a room full of trinkets frequently lacks the impact of a single, masterfully positioned sweep of eucalyptus or spruce resting along a windowsill or picture ledge. One self-assured swath of greenery, placed above a roll-top tub or framing a window, softens sharp edges and gives the whole space a beautifully curated feel.
Biophilic design is still king, and incorporating fresh greenery into winter floral display ideas is its most glamorous seasonal flex. While fresh fir, cedar, or eucalyptus offers wild texture and natural scent, ambient bathroom steam can shorten its lifespan.
Choosing premium faux greenery is the ultimate designer insider trick for genuinely effortless styling that endures humidity year after year without using a single needle.
Shop the bathroom Christmas garland trend
Draping a lush garland across your bathroom sill or picture ledge is only the beginning of creating a completely cohesive festive home. To finish your seasonal decorating, explore our curated guides to the best artificial Christmas trees and the best Christmas stockings to ensure every room feels thoughtfully dressed.
As broader winter decor trends lean into moody lighting and rich seasonal textures, pairing your garland with ambient accents will elevate the space even further. For the ultimate finishing touch, light this Christmas spice candle from Amazon – it instantly fills the room with festive cheer and stands out among the best Christmas candles of the season.
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