As an interior designer, I use my eye and skills when decorating for the holidays.
Although I usually shop for affordable holiday decor, I wanted to see what two high-end retailers had to offer this season.
So, while shopping in NYC, I visited West Elm and Crate & Barrel — two stores known for their stylish home decor with a modern twist.
Here’s how they compared.
Crate & Barrel’s storefront felt understated and modern.
The Crate & Barrel I visited didn’t feel overly festive when I walked in, but I found its simplicity to be charming.
At first glance, its decor was minimal and chic. The entryway had a simple holiday display with greenery and lights. A few large shelves had white or clear trees, tiny houses, and reindeer on display — I didn’t see a lot of color.
Once inside, the holiday decor felt spread out. I had to really look around to find displays that evoked the vibes of the season.
Entering West Elm, on the other hand, felt like stepping into a cozy holiday retreat.
I felt West Elm’s inviting holiday ambiance as soon as I stepped inside and saw three blinged-out trees with silver, red, and gold ornaments.
The store’s entrance felt warm and welcoming with its soft lighting, sparkly accents, and holiday-themed decor.
Each display seemed to have thoughtful, festive touches that immediately set a cozy tone for my shopping experience.
Crate & Barrel’s holiday tablescapes looked clean and simple.
As I walked around Crate & Barrel, I found minimal, elegant holiday tablescapes.
Most had neutral accents and featured white napkins, neutral table runners, and simple glassware. The vibe seemed perfect for those who love a streamlined look and pieces that can easily stay on the table past December.
West Elm’s tablescapes felt a bit warmer and more inviting.
West Elm’s tablescapes seemed to prioritize richer, warmer tones.
Festive napkins, gold accents, and vibrant centerpieces made the displays feel ready for a festive gathering.
The tablescapes had a coziness to them, and I could picture the setups in a real home. One had mauve-colored trees and sparkly placemats that felt like they could easily transition from Christmas to New Year’s Eve.
Holiday throw pillows and blankets were a highlight at Crate & Barrel.
Crate & Barrel had a selection of cozy, holiday-themed blankets and pillows sprinkled throughout the whole floor.
I liked that every sofa I passed had some type of subtle holiday-themed accent, like beige pillows with simple-yet-elegant reindeer silhouettes.
Many of the accessories here felt like they’d be a nice way to add holiday cheer to a home without the loud vibrancy of red and green you typically see this time of year.
Because the pillows and throws were mostly neutral, they felt like they could be on your couch past Christmastime without feeling dated.
Still, West Elm’s pillows felt more vibrant and exciting to me.
In my opinion, the throw pillows at West Elm were quite the opposite of the ones at Crate & Barrel.
Although the store did have some more neutral pillows with subtle designs, it mostly seemed to embrace the popular red and greens of the season.
I especially loved one rectangular green pillow covered in abstract-looking images of Santa Claus — so cute and festive.
West Elm’s stockings felt unique and modern, but I didn’t find many options at Crate & Barrel.
The stockings at West Elm were some of my favorite finds. Many featured clean lines and traditional motifs that would complement a modern home, and a few had pops of color.
A lot of the designs felt like a fresh twist on a traditional holiday stocking.
On the other hand, the only stocking I found at Crate & Barrel was a small, decorative one meant for a tablescape — not one fit for a mantel.
Both stores had a classic selection of holiday ornaments.
In both stores, I found a great selection of holiday ornaments, including glass Santas, photo-frame designs, and other classic holiday motifs.
West Elm had a few touches of fun when it came to holiday ornaments.
Although both chains’ ornaments seemed to lean more traditional, I found a few fun designs at West Elm.
The store’s squirrel-shaped glass ornaments, in particular, were a huge highlight of our shopping trip. My fiancé ended up buying a few for his family tree.
I preferred West Elm because it gave me a more classic, festive holiday experience.
Although both stores offered beautiful decor, I felt West Elm had a wider variety of holiday pieces with a cozy, classic appeal. Walking through the store made me feel like I was in a Hallmark Christmas movie.
Crate & Barrel excelled in modern and elegant holiday decor but ultimately felt less festive to me than West Elm.
If you’re looking to create a warm, inviting holiday atmosphere, West Elm is the store to visit this season. If your holiday style is more understated and neutral, you may prefer Crate & Barrel.
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