Holiday decorating is anchored in tradition, but trends are playing a bigger role. The motifs and color palettes that we crave for our homes year-round are increasingly making their way into our holiday ornaments, tabletops and other seasonal decor.

"It's been the case for a number of years that everyday and holiday are coming together," said Michelle Lamb, trend forecaster with The Trend Curve, Eden Prairie.

To find out what's new in stores and catalogs now — and what's on the holiday horizon, we turned to Lamb, who recently completed her trend forecast for holiday 2016, and to Bachman's Holiday Ideas House, which is freshly decked for the season.

Think pink

Want to put a fresh spin on your holiday look? Add some pink. "Pink is the new red," according to Lamb. The entire red color family is gaining steam for everyday decor, especially the warmer shades, from pastel to salmon to dark oxblood. For holiday decor, Lamb has seen pink used to perk up traditional motifs, such as pink snowflakes or a pink animal-head mount with green antlers. Pair holiday pink with mid-tone green, a lighter variation on hunter that the design world has dubbed "snakeskin," according to Lamb. "It's a new take on red and green."

Nordic chic

Picture a cozy, peaceful holiday in a ski chalet — with no phone, no TV, no WiFi to interrupt the serenity. "The only sound is the crunch of snow," Lamb said. That feeling, that desire to unplug from technology and savor the silence, is contributing to a Scandinavian-inspired holiday look. Think Nordic sweater patterns, sweater textures and images of sled dogs, deer and squirrels. "It's perfect for us in the Midwest," Lamb said. The color palette is warm neutrals: mid-tone caramelized browns, warm grays and copper tones, accented with snakeskin green or ice blue. A pop of deep Christmas red and neutral metallics, such as black, graphite or ivory, add a festive touch.

Rustic natural

The trend of "bringing the outside in" is on display at this year's Bachman's Holiday Ideas House, according to Karen Bachman Thull, advertising and marketing manager. Natural materials, such as evergreens and winterberries, add seasonal scent and cheer to centerpieces, mantels and other displays. "We're encouraging people to re-use their spruce tops" from outdoor planters and repurpose them to create bold statements indoors, Thull said. Rustic, homespun elements like burlap, jute and plaids create a nostalgic feel. Birch bark is a strong motif, in everything from ribbons to candleholders. Bachman's designers even created a birch bark-like wall border, using a templated stencil roller with cream and silver paint. "It looks like wood grain," Thull said.

Oyster ornaments from Katherine’s Collection.

By the sea

Can't get away for a warm-weather winter vacation? Bring the beach inside. A seashore-inspired look, "Christmas Tide," is exerting a pull on holiday decor, according to Lamb. The colors are the blue-green of water and sandy beach hues, with shells, pearls and fish showing up as holiday ornaments and other details. Sandy textures and coral are also part of this look.

Tasty trimmings

Treats are a perennial holiday-decor favorite, but the sweet du jour is shifting. "We've had cupcakes, doughnuts and gingerbread men," Lamb said. "Look for a revival of hard-candy motifs. And popcorn returns to the forefront."

Sounds like it's time to heat up some kernels and string some old-fashioned popcorn garland.

Kim Palmer • 612-673-4784

Staff writer Lynn Underwood contributed to this report.