Saying goodbye to the holidays isn’t always easy. It means getting back to school, work and the rhythm of daily life. But for many, there’s one straggler that sticks around well into January: the Christmas tree.
Our festive firs — real or otherwise — can quickly start to feel like permanent fixtures in our homes. There’s an easy explanation: taking down a Christmas tree is way less fun than putting it up. But there’s more to it than that. A tree becomes a part of a home. It introduces new light, new smells and a new way to think about space. In short, it’s a design choice.
With the holidays now firmly in the rearview mirror, we talked to three local interior designers about when to take the tree down, and how to maintain the warmth of the season — even once the tree is gone.
“I recommend taking the tree down before everyone settles back into the rhythm of work and school,” says Katie Stephenson, founder and CEO of Stephenson House. “There’s a wonderful sense of reset that comes with the new year and clearing away holiday decor is a gentle way to support that fresh start.”
Stephenson notes that removing the tree can leave a corner feeling unexpectedly empty. She always recommends filling the visual void with something that brings both light and presence.
“Add a new source of warm, moody light,” she suggests, pointing to cordless mini lamps as one option. “They’re perfect for bookshelves, console tables or layered on a coffee table, offering that same inviting evening glow without feeling festive.”
Brianna Hughes of Brianna Hughes Interiors agrees. “The magic of the holidays is tied to a very specific mood,” she says. “Once we transition into the new year, it’s nice for the home to follow suit.”
Adding some warm light (and height) is a good place to start.
“A floor lamp is a great option,” says Hughes. “I actually just purchased the Gubi Stemlite for my own home. It’s the perfect way to reintroduce warmth and glow in that spot without feeling overly decorated.”
Kim Philips Langer, the principal designer at Dwell Theory, recommends adding scents to the mix to keep the atmosphere alive, especially if you’re missing the fresh pine fragrance of a real tree. Essential oils or candles with pine or peppermint can help sustain the holiday spirit throughout the winter season. Phillips Langer usually opts for a citrus and clove essential oil blend, reminiscent of pomander Christmas ornaments.
She also suggests adding some greenery by incorporating house plants — a recent trend in interiors. You can even go big: Stephenson encourages people to introduce large-scale greenery “to bring height and life into the room without feeling seasonal.”
Afterall, a Christmas tree is a big design presence; taking it down creates space in your home. But that space doesn’t have to be a scary void. It can be an opportunity to inject some new design energy to your living space, bringing light and colour into the new year.
