Tips for Creating a Cohesive Look with DIY Ornaments
One of the biggest challenges with DIY Christmas decorations is making sure they all fit together and don’t look like a messy mix. Over the years I’ve learned a few tricks to create a cohesive tree that looks intentionally designed rather than randomly crafted. This is how I make sure all of these different ornament styles fit together beautifully.
And yes, I mixed my kids’ ornaments here too. If you don’t want that, give them a separate tree where they can do whatever they want. I’ve done that before and they loved it.
Stick to one color palette (but stay flexible)
The secret to a harmonious look is not that everything fits together perfectly. I really don’t like it when everything fits together perfectly. It’s about choosing 2-3 main colors and sticking with them across different types of ornaments, and not being afraid to incorporate the unexpected (like my disco balls or icicles, which I think are neutrals and go with literally everything and will be featured on all of my trees from now on).
Neutral and natural palette
- Light brown/beige baking soda color ornaments
- Natural dried orange slices
- White snowflakes from billboard
- Cream macrame ornaments
- Raw wood mushroom ornaments
This combination creates a warm, organic look that feels put together even though the ornaments use completely different techniques.
Bold and colorful palette
- Mexican folk art ornaments, farmhouse painting ornaments or painted heart ornaments (just choose one)
- Colorful paper fan decorations
- Matching thin ribbons
The key is to repeat the colors you choose across multiple ornament types. If you use teal for your painted hearts, reflect it in your paper ornaments or ribbons.
Mix textures
A connected tree does not mean that everything has to be made of the same material. In fact, mixing textures makes your tree more interesting! What is crucial is that they complement each other.
Texture combinations that work
- Soft + Hard: Macrame ornaments paired with one of my wooden ornaments or painted ball ornaments
- Smooth + Rough: Shiny tin ornaments with rustic mushroom ornaments
- Delicate + substantial: Thin toilet paper roll snowflakes next to chunky beeswax ornaments
- Natural + handmade: Real starfish mixed with fan ornaments
I’ve found that three to four different textures on a tree add visual interest without making it seem busy. And every tree can use some type of ball ornament too!
Use consistent hanging materials
This is such a simple trick but makes a HUGE difference! Instead of using whatever string or ribbon you have on hand, choose some type of hanging material and use it throughout:
Options that work well
- Natural jute twine (gives everything a rustic, farmhouse feel)
- Thin velvet ribbon in one color (elegant)
- Plain White or Cream Baker’s Twine (Clean and Simple)
- Metallic gold or silver thread (for subtle shine)
- Clear thread (almost invisible)
- Metal ornament hooks (cheapest)
