If you celebrate it, the living room is likely to be the main area you decorate for Christmas, but more and more we're seeing people go all out in their homes — it's not just a case of putting up a tree.
Christmas living room decor ideas come in all shapes and sizes, but whatever your style, there are certain ways to decorate that are universal. So, if you're looking for Christmas decorating ideas that go beyond the basic, we've got you covered. With expert advice and beautiful living rooms made festive to inspire, these 13 tips will get you in the spirit of the season.
1. Style your living room shelves
Beside the obvious elements for decorating a living room for Christmas such as the tree, you can introduce festive decor on elements like living room shelving and bookcases.
"Much like any season, I recommend quality over quantity," interior designer Audrey Scheck tells us. "Instead of filling your shelves with endless holiday decor, try swapping a few small decorative objects with ones that feel more festive."
Audrey also says it's wise to aim to incorporate elements that flow seamlessly and don’t cause visual chaos. "Start with evenly sprinkling Christmas decor that compliments your home's style, then focus on balancing materials and colors throughout the shelves."
And it doesn't all need to be classic ornaments, either. "Look for organic elements like a unique ceramic bowl filled with fresh pine cones or handcrafted wooden items like nutcrackers or candlesticks which pair beautifully with fresh greenery," she says.
Price: $6.29
These little stacked wooden Christmas trees have become a big decorating trend in recent years.
2. Add foliage in unexpected places
Adding greenery to your living room is an instant way to make it feel more Christmassy, as in this open concept space owned by designer Alykhan Velji. "Our wood-burning fireplace is the heart of the living room, and it’s a must-have feature for creating a cozy, Christmassy atmosphere," Alykhan Veli says. "Dressing it up with layers of greenery, swags, and a mix of vintage and modern candle holders makes it feel both festive and sophisticated."
But, you can also spot in the designer's own living room, above, that festive foliage has been added in unexpected ways, too. "I also love adding touches of greenery along our curtain rods," Aly explains.
3. Decorate a media unit
Don't forget other furniture such as your media unit too when decorating your living room for Christmas, as Audrey did in this festive space around the living room TV.
"We like to keep our media unit both functional and aesthetically pleasing during the holidays," Audrey explains. "To achieve this, you can leave your base layer of books, risers, and other grounding elements intact. Simply remove the evergreen decorative objects and swap them with pieces that feel more festive."
It's an easy swap for the Christmas season. "I have several stacks of books on my media console, and sprucing them up for holiday is as simple as changing the decorative objects resting on top of them."
Price: $19.99
We love Audrey's collection of differently shaped candles on this media unit, and this 6 pack from H&M is a good place to start.
4. Layer the living room with decorations and blankets
This is the time for hot chocolate, curling up in blankets, and reading a book by the fire. To enjoy the chilly season and to make your celebrations fun, cozy up your Christmas living room decor, and layer your space with throws, cushions, and all things warm and tranquil.
"Winter is also all about layering," says Martin Waller, founder of Andrew Martin. 'I use textures like wool and fur alongside kilim fabrics; rich autumnal and wintery colors provide a base for my Christmas decorations, with a different ‘theme’ thrown on top each year.’
5. Choose flowers and foliage that will last seasons
Another important point for the Christmas checklist is foliage. "I believe that every good floral arrangement starts with the perfect vase or vessel," says the luxury floral designer, Ronny Colbie . "Choose a vase that suits your home's chosen Christmas colors and theme. Having the same theme run throughout your home and onto the table will add a tasteful touch for your family and guests."
"Next step would be foraging or sourcing foliage that will last throughout the seasons as the base to all your arrangements," says Ronny. "English pine, holly, twigs, winter eucalyptus... anything that will dry nicely and add a festive scent. Once you have the base of foliage you can simply add flowers to suit and change as they wilt. For long-lasting flowers, you’re best off with Amaryllis, Hydrangea, or winter berries. For texture, you can add small baubles and dried fruits.
"For the coffee table, I always suggest using plenty of eclectic small vases to add different heights and dimensions to the tables. Finally, to finish off, I’d suggest layering between the arrangements with antique candlesticks, loose pinecones, cinnamon sticks, and tea lights."
6. Pack your tree with personality
"The main rule for Christmas decorating is to have fun with it," says Connor Prestwood, interior designer at Dowsing & Reynolds. "Use your decorations as a tool to express yourself and to create a feeling of warmth and comfort during the Christmas period; ultimately it’s about what themes and ideas make you happy. Don’t follow trends or traditions just because you feel like you have to."
For an effervescent festive decor, give the Christmas fireplace decor and the tree some extra love by adding eclectic decorations around it; the ones you've collected over the years.
7. Indulge in merry mantelscaping
We talk a lot about foliage when it comes to Christmas stair decor ideas, but it can be used to full effect here, too. "The popular mantelscaping trend offers a great excuse to get experimental with Christmas decorating," says Abi. "Fasten evergreen foliage to the mantel from which you can hang decorations and baubles. Stagger the hanging heights and mix matte and shiny finishes to craft a considered yet eclectic festive look."
If you're looking for a more natural, minimalist Christmas decor look, use fresh foliage and flowers to create a beautiful display, and extend the decor to the window sills of your living room for a Christmas window for passers-by to enjoy.
8. Sprinkle unique ornaments around the room
Ornaments aren’t just limited to Christmas trees and are a simple way to add more festive touches in the house. These would make for great Christmas door decor as well!
Fabulous ornaments from your collection can also be hung from cabinet door handles or even from table lights and floor lamps. "Unique ornaments hung with varying lengths of velvet ribbons make for a quirky eye-catcher," says Nadia McCowan Hill, resident style advisor at Wayfair.
Baubles aside, this is the time for DIY. "For a crafty spin, forage a large branch, or you can even use a length of painted wood, and dress with fairy lights, ribbons, and decorations," says Abi. "This can be hung from walls, ceilings, or doors for a creative Christmas feature in the home."
9. Bling out your bar cart
A vintage-inspired cart is a perfect place to store your favorite beverages and some Christmas nibbles; plus a lovely home bar idea. But what should you stock on it for visual appeal? "Retro coupe glasses and stemless glasses are ideal to serve not only drinks but also their accompaniments, with their gold rims adding extra sparkle to your Christmas decor," says Nadia.
It's also a cute yet chic idea to add foliage, a mini Christmas tree, and mini baubles or presents to the display for a truly festive scene.
10. Dress up your storage nooks
Festive decoration ideas shouldn't be solely restricted to the tree; try giving your Christmas bedroom decor or living room decor a leg up by dressing up the shelves and cabinets for a curated and cozy scene.
Focus on the style spots you’ve already established. Adding Christmas table decorations, paper stars and festive faux foliage amongst your books, vases, plants and personal treasures helps to set the tone for the magic of the season.
11. Go traditional with a maximalist twist
"There is something oh-so-comforting about a classic red and green color palette and traditional Christmas styling," says Nadia. And when better to indulge in maximalism in interior design than at Christmas?
Get your outdoor Christmas lighting ideas together for the right festive vibe. For the interiors, "try mixing in contrasting prints such as polka dots, stripes, animal print, florals, or gingham," says Nadia. "It pays to not have too many tones at play when combining different patterns, so limit yourself to a palette of three or four tones. A hint of glimmering gold offers the perfect contrast to all things crimson and emerald."
"Christmas is a time to embrace this warm, inviting, and joyful trend," says Stefan Ormenisan, founder and creative director at Mindthegap. "We opt for jubilantly dressed Christmas trees, bold and eclectic patterns, embroidered textiles, and layered styling; from fringed table lamps to fabric, tassel-trimmed pendant lights, richly adorned cushions, statement furniture, and exuberant wallpapers, each working together to bring warmth, joy and a welcoming setting for entertaining and celebrating."
12. Channel a California cool vibe
Pair a beautiful white and gold Christmas tree for a California cool trend. Design and renovation expert Laura Butler-Madden likes to use soft pastels in her Christmas color palette.
"I love American design and the light and style in Palm Springs," says Laura. "When decorating for Christmas, I want to feel that less is more; I create a lovely tree but then use flowers, nature, and candles for the rest of the room, often in less traditional Christmas colors, like soft pastels."
FAQs
How can I decorate a small living room for Christmas?
Just because you have a small home doesn't mean you can't go big on style.
Lindye Galloway, founder of Lindye Galloway Design Studio and Shop, says the size of your tree is important in a small area. And before you get one at home, make sure you know all about Christmas tree care. "Be sure to get a tree that is relative to the space that it will be in,' she says. 'If it's too small or too big it won't look right."
And she suggests keeping it minimal when decorating the tree. "Get in the mindset of less is more," she says. "Using neutral colors when decorating the tree won't draw as much attention to how small the space is."
Where should I put my Christmas tree in the living room?
'We tend to place a Christmas tree carefully to one side in a sitting room, making sure that it is tastefully and beautifully decorated so as not to compromise its status as an eye-catching seasonal feature,' says Louise Wicksteed of Sims Hilditch. 'This positioning helps to maintain a room’s functionality throughout the festive period.'
Placing your Christmas tree in a window recess is also a popular choice. 'For front-facing living rooms, in front of the window is best, signaling festive ambiance to the world beyond,' says Abi. 'For smaller settings, tuck a slimline tree into the corner of the room to ensure you're maximizing living space for hosting family and friends.'
'The tree is always best placed nestled into a corner, and ideally near a window so you get the reflection and glow of twinkly lights, and so you can spread the cheer for passers-by,' says Ailie.
