Interior Designers Give Their Opinion on 'Baffling' White House Holiday Decor

The White House has revealed its holiday decorations for 2025, embracing the theme Home Is Where The Heart Is. The design features rooms adorned with abundant greenery and diverse motifs, showcased in a moody video walkthrough that has already prompted strong reactions online.

Given recent renovations and restricted public access, this years decorations seem to take on symbolic significance. To gain insight into the choices and messaging, several interior designers shared their perspectives.

A Shift From Past Designs

Sara Parker, a lighting and furniture designer, noted the contrast with previous Trump-era displays: This year feels more nostalgic, sentimental, and whimsical compared to the theatrical and dramatic installations of past years. Earlier displays, like the 2018 corridor lined with blood-red trees, drew attention for their stark and dystopian tone.

Interior designer Annie Elliott added, The best thing I can say is that theyre not the 2017 all-white branch tunnelit was a disaster. That first-year decor, created under former First Lady Melania Trump, faced widespread ridicule for its icy, surreal aesthetic.

Despite surprising design choices elsewheresuch as extensive gold in the Oval Office and a costly East Wing renovationParker observed a sense of restraint in 2025. The dcor is curated and sentimental, aiming to evoke familiarity rather than shock, she said. Some features, like a butterfly-themed tree, were seen as playful yet elegant, though certain ornaments promoting the Be Best campaign sparked online debate due to their dissonance with the presidents public rhetoric.

Symbolism and Controversy

Sarah Boardman highlighted attempts at meaningful symbolism, including references to foster care, though she questioned their effectiveness. Additionally, portraits of Trump, including one resembling his mugshot, were seen as politically charged and at odds with traditional holiday themes.

Nostalgia Without Connection

The overall aesthetic was described as nostalgic, drawing on classic American holiday imagery. Andrew Shoukry observed a storybook quality with lush greenery, warm lights, and traditional ribbons, creating a sense of abundance and comfort. Yet Elliott and Boardman criticized the decor for lacking genuine warmth and public engagement. Unlike past administrations, childrens participation and community involvement were absent, making the decorations feel staged rather than celebratory.

Boardman emphasized that restricted tours and the demolition of the East Wing reduced public interaction, turning rooms like the Green, Blue, and Red Rooms into isolated displays rather than part of a cohesive national holiday experience.

Theme and Execution Misalignment

Elliott felt the decorations did not fully reflect the declared theme, noting, At first glance, it seems tasteful, but closer inspection reveals little connection to Home is Where the Heart Is. Elements such as blue butterflies, dominoes, and a Lego portrait of the president appear unrelated."

Boardman added that the inward-focused presentation, limited public access, and selective messaging make the holiday decor feel performative. Even gestures like honoring Gold Star families felt contrasted against previous dismissive behavior toward military families.

Conclusion

Overall, interior designers see the 2025 White House holiday decorations as visually curated but emotionally distant. While some aspects convey nostalgia and sentimentality, the lack of participatory elements and restricted public access give the display a staged, performative quality rather than fostering shared holiday joy.

Author: Ava Mitchell