Nostalgic Elegance: A Ralph Lauren–Inspired Christmas decoration
Creating a cozy Christmas atmosphere at the end of the year is especially important, it’s a time to slow down, treat yourself for all the hard work during the year, and finish the season wrapped in the warm hug of Christmas lights.
I always plan ahead, thinking about the theme for the coming holiday season. Last year, I was deeply inspired by the Ralph Lauren Fall/Winter 2024/25 fashion show, which I would describe as nostalgic and sophisticated elegance with a touch of iconic salon style.
The catwalk was designed to feel like a luxurious gallery, with mahogany floors, door frames in the same tone, and cantilever chrome chairs upholstered in chocolate-brown leather. What I especially loved were the sisal rugs running the length of the runway, the warm beige matte walls, and the soft lighting that created a warm, luxurious backdrop for the stunning pieces crafted by the iconic designer himself -Ralph Lauren.
As I watched the show, I was instantly transported back to my childhood- to moments spent flipping through my mother’s magazines, where elegance and sophistication were what caught my eye and inspired my love for timeless beauty.
Ralph Lauren Inspired Christmas Decoration At Lena Gran Design
Furniture
I want to live surrounded by this atmosphere all winter long, so I designed my Christmas theme inspired by the same warm, elegant fabrics and silhouettes that defined Ralph Lauren’s collection. I started with my table lamp, featuring a herringbone pattern and tripod base — such a timeless Ralph Lauren interior classic.
Since I don’t have a fireplace, I use my dark wood cabinet as a base for my Christmas decorations, placed next to the tree. It’s always a good idea to have an additional piece of furniture, or even two, beside the tree to create a focal point for the festive season. A cabinet or console table works perfectly, as it can also serve as part of your food or drink display when hosting Christmas gatherings.
I’ve selected a few furniture pieces that I recommend for recreating the elegant atmosphere from this iconic Ralph Lauren Winter 2024/25 fashion show:
Greenery
When it comes to the Christmas tree and greenery, I always recommend traditional green — not flocked. Other greenery should look as natural as possible, without lime-green tones or fake snow. Ralph Lauren–inspired greenery should feel authentic and understated.
If you want your decorations to last longer than a few weeks, look for high-quality artificial greenery with a real-touch finish and slightly relaxed branches — this will keep the natural look while ensuring your Christmas atmosphere stays elegant all season long.
My Christmas wreath in Ralph Lauren style
Lighting
Ralph Lauren–inspired Christmas decoration doesn’t necessarily require a lot of decorative lighting — it’s more about a natural and understated glow. I added only tiny fairy lights, just enough for them to reflect softly on the glittered ribbons and create a subtle shimmer.
Ribbons
My ribbon choice was inspired by the fabrics used in Ralph Lauren’s Winter 2024/25 collection. They come in elegant beige tones with a gentle glitter, perfectly complementing the dark brown velvet ribbons I used to hang the Christmas ornaments.
If I were going for a true salon-style look, I would skip the glittered ribbon and use darker brown ribbons, perhaps with a leather texture, to emphasize the masculine elegance typical of Ralph Lauren interiors.
Decoration
Using lush greenery and luxurious ribbons alone can be enough to achieve an elegant Ralph Lauren Christmas design. The key is quiet elegance — the essence of this timeless style.
If I were decorating for a Ralph Lauren store, I would skip additional lighting and use real greenery only, as the goal there is to create an atmosphere without drawing attention away from the clothes.
However, at home, the concept is a little different. The wreath or Christmas tree often serves as the main focal point, so it’s perfectly fine to add more decor to enhance the festive feeling.
The most important element is to use real glass ornaments. Investing in handmade pieces in silver or champagne gold tones is ideal. I used champagne beige ornaments with a hint of glitter, paired with clear glass balls to add soft texture and reflection, balancing the mostly matte design.
For the wreath, decorate in odd numbers for the most balanced look. If you have a plain background, use 3 or 5 pieces; for a busier background, use fewer for a more sophisticated effect. My wreath includes a large ribbon, three ornaments, and one decorative glitter accent in the center.
Christmas tree
Just like with the wreath, I chose a classic green Christmas tree, sized appropriately for the room. The tree came pre-lit, but I added a few extra fairy lights in warm white, without any flickering, to create a calm and cozy glow.
When choosing a larger tree, always consider the width of the lower branches. I keep my tree up for about two months, so in smaller spaces, I recommend marking the floor with tape to visualize its spread and maintain good flow in the room. You can also place the tree on a small table to create the illusion of height without losing floor space.
Christmas tree ribbons
My tree is 1.8 meters tall, which suits a smaller living room. For this scale, thin velvet ribbons work beautifully — I used them to make simple bows. If your tree is 2.1 meters or taller, thicker ribbons will create a more luxurious proportion and visual balance.
Christmas tree decoration
I used the same ornaments as on my wreath and cabinet, adding a few in a rich root color that pairs beautifully with beige and green — a subtle nod to the classic red-and-green Christmas palette.
And for that extra touch of magic, I love using silver stars in different sizes and finishes. They are worth investing in — I promise you’ll reuse them year after year, not only for your Ralph Lauren–inspired Christmas but for any elegant winter theme.
My Christmas tree inspired by Ralph Lauren design
Additional decoration
It wouldn’t feel like the winter season without candles. Since I don’t have a fireplace, I use large vessels to group candles together — in this case, less is more.
Following the rule of three, I placed three large Christmas balls next to my lamp, securing them with multi-tack. It’s important to use the same colors and materials throughout your design to create a cohesive story. The same ornaments appear on my tree, wreath, and cabinet — all connected by the same theme of nostalgic and quiet elegance, the kind of warmth we all want to bring into our homes during winter.
My Christmas display in the living room
For more Christmas and interior design inspiration- follow my Instagram account @lenagrandesign
I can´t wait to show you more Ralph Lauren inspired Christmas for this year.
Merry Christmas!