How To Use Natural Materials in Your Holiday Decor

This holiday season, go au naturel. We’re not suggesting you skip the décor altogether. Rather, when it comes to your holiday decorating ideas, avoid store-bought décor, and opt for all-natural accents instead. Not only will evergreen boughs and other organic materials add a more authentic and earthy touch to your home, but they’re also compostable and eco-friendly, too, so you can feel good about going over-the-top with your décor this year. From pine branches, to cranberries, to popcorn and more, there are countless ways you can decorate your home for the holidays using only compostable, organic items.

If you want to make your holiday season greener and eco-conscious, choose to deck your halls in all-natural style and give these 11 decorating ideas a try.

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Decorate Your Tree With Flowers

Flower garlands add a delightfully free-spirited touch to this gorgeous holiday tree. If you don't want to commit to a fully floral tree, try working just a few blooms throughout the branches.

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Make a Tabletop Tree

An evergreen bough in a globe-shaped glass vase makes a modern mini tree centerpiece for this wintery tablescape. Hang lightweight ornaments, like paper snowflakes, from its branches to make it even more festive.

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Use Popcorn and Fruit

Creating a festive garland made of compostable edibles—like popcorn, fresh cranberries, or dried orange slices—is a great way to add color to your all-natural holiday décor. Use them to decorate your tree or adorn your mantel, too.

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Hang Garlands Over Your Bed

Don’t stop with the main living spaces! When it comes to your décor, spread the joy throughout your entire house—including your bedroom. A simple evergreen and pinecone garland hung above the bed will add instant holiday cheer to your favorite room in the house.

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Hang a Wreath in Your Window

Spread holiday joy both inside your home and out by hanging wreaths made of fresh greens in your windows that you and your neighbors can enjoy. Whether you decorate with just one wreath hung in your front window or go big and hang them in nearly every window of your home, this all-natural look is as classic as it gets.

Use burlap ribbon to create bows on your wreaths for an even more eco-friendly display.

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Layer Fresh Boughs Across Your Mantel

A fresh evergreen garland makes the perfect base for any mantel. Put any leftover pieces to use by accenting a mirror with them or hanging them above your bedroom door.

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Hang Fresh Greenery From Your Chandelier

Whether you use pretty green pine needles or get cheeky and go for mistletoe, weaving some fresh greens into your overhead light fixture will make your holiday décor feel especially magical.

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Decorate Your Banister With Fresh Greenery

You can’t top the look or smell of real greenery, which is why opting for a fresh evergreen garland to decorate your staircase with is a must. Hang it from your banister with shiny cloth bows for some extra sparkle, or tightly wrap it around the handrail for a more covered look.

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Add All-Natural Accents in Unexpected Nooks and Crannies

For a seasonal feel that flows from room to room, sneak touches of greenery into surprising places, making sure you have a few sprigs per room at a bare minimum. Throw an evergreen garland on top of your mudroom’s built-in shelves and add a few pinecones in for good measure.

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Make a Cozy Faux Wood-Filled Fireplace Display

Love the look of a rustic fireplace filled with wood logs, just like you’ve seen all over Instagram? The good news is you can DIY a faux fireplace insert that looks just like the real thing! To make it, simply glue wood slices, interspersed with small sprigs of moss, onto a black-painted wood board and wedge it into the opening of your fireplace.

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Design an Eco-Friendly Tablescape

This year, decorate your holiday tablescape with pinecones and sprigs of evergreen for an elegant look. If you want to take your eco-friendly theme to the next level, incorporate upcycled finds—like used books in lieu of placemats—into your design, as well.

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