Living Room Christmas Decorating Ideas

Putting your favorite Christmas decoration ideas into practice is one of the many many joys of Christmastime. And to help you create a striking and stylish display in every room of the house, we've rounded up the most inspiring looks that we've come across this year.

Though you may have your own holiday decorating traditions (the kids' salt dough decorations that were meant to resemble stars but don't, the creepy looking fairy who's missing an arm, and the nativity scene that's been annually plundered and is now made up of Playmobil characters), and yes they do have their charm, but that's not to say that there isn't room for improvement. And, when you see just how glorious you can make your surroundings look, you will want to change things up a little in not just your living room decor, but in your entire household.

From the best color schemes to choice of accessories and more, we've covered it all and there are some top tips from designer experts also to ensure that your decor is on point. Sure, Christmas might be looking a little different this year, but that's why we think your home's Christmas decoration is extra important.

1. Create an unexpected asymetric display

We've said it before and we will say it again, an empty mantle at Christmas is a sad mantle. They are so easy to decorate too, just pick some greenery, add some candles and there you go, your very own glorious Christmas mantel. We love this asymmetric look though, with the large houseplant, it's unexpected because of the height but definitely adds interest to the space and a clear focal point.

2. DIY a rustic advent calendar

DIY advent calendar using brown paper bags

So simple and so effective! Pick up some brown paper bags from a craft store or Amazon and then hang them using ribbons and strings to start your own DIY advent calendar. Use stickers to add the numbers, or a chalk pen to add patterns. You could hang it anywhere too but we think it would look so cute in a hallway so the kids can just grab their bag as they leave for school.

3. Add some subtle festive decor to your kitchen

Despite being the heart of the home over the holidays, your kitchen decor scheme can get a bit overlooked when it comes to Christmas. We say that needs to change! Sure, you might not have room for a full on tree in there, but copy this Christmas decorating idea and hang some foliage around a doorway, in your cabinets and over your lighting. Add some cute hanging decorations on your handles too to complete the look.

4. Pick an alternative color pallete this year – go pink!

living-room-with-chairs-table-and-vintage-christmas-tree

A pink Christmas tree is our dream. We love the soft, vintagey look, and we are up for sporting what is one of the cutest throwback Christmas decorating ideas around. Create this Christmas color schemes by tying ribbons to the branches, pair your pink with silver and gold to bring in some sparkle too!

5. Paper stars make Christmas decorating easy

The easiest, most effective Christmas decorating ideas we are going for this year? Paper stars. Or just any paper decs actually. They look so stylish and like you have really put in some effort, but all you really did is order a couple of packs of Amazon and hang them all over your home. Order them or make your own paper snowflakes for an even more magical touch.

6. Or hang paper decs from the ceiling

Again, another one of the most easy and effective Christmas decoration ideas is to hang an abundance of paper decorations from the ceilings or around mantles, door ways, up the stairs. Pick a mix of styles and sizes and bundle them together to create a proper feature.

7. Embrace the dark and moody trend this Christmas

Dark, moody interiors are all over Instagram this year, and if you're well into the look, but aren't sure how to match it with your Christmas decor scheme, we have some really easy ideas. Easiest option? Go for dark colored baubles – black, navy, dark green – will all create a dramatic feel. If you have a dark living room already, go for a contrasting color to create a striking look.

Fill your rooms with lots of dark evergreens, too, trail firs and ivy over mantlepieces, up banisters and around door frames. Stick to candlelight, or low, warm lights to add to the atmosphere.

8. Go for a Scandi-style Christmas

Cosy Christmas living room by Neptune — *Furniture, all* *Neptune*

Christmas and Scandi style really were made for each other: it's chilly out, the fire's lit and the mulled wine is going down a treat. So, if yours is an (almost) all-white room, embrace it with our Scandi Christmas decorating ideas . Go for white or pale wood, and then add pops of color with red or deep green. Give your room a festive feel with candles, and evergreen sprigs on every surface and of course a Scandi-approved Christmas tree.

9. Love vintage style? Make your decs old-style

The best thing about decorating a vintage style tree? You can mix and match colors, bauble styles and all the rustic Christmas decor you'd like to create an artfully thrown-together look. Kitsch Christmas tree decorations are a fab option for the vintage look, but opt for muted, smoky colors rather than bolds (which will look too contemporary). Etsy have some lovely 1950s Christmas decorations if you are after the real thing.

10. Love bright colors? Neon is a big trend for this holiday

Yup, the neon Christmas decorating trend is here – and it's pretty simple to recreate in your own home. Think tacky but... stylish at the same time. Baubles in rainbow colors and funky shapes, pick up some cheap bright colored tinsel too; feather bowers in bright pink, strung over your tree would look really cool also.

11. Use blackboard paint to create an instant Christmas

Christmas tree picture in a child's bedroom

Thinking of redecorating before Christmas with a dark, moody scheme (you know, the type we've labored on about above)? Why not opt for blackboard paint in a strategic way? Create a Christmas tree that takes up zero room (perfect for a child's room or a kitchen) by drawing one onto a blackboard wall. You could even use some Command Hooks to hang actual decorations from it.

12. Small home? Downsize your decs not your ambitions

If you're resigned to small living room ideas forever (or perhaps embracing them), you may not have a) the room for a full size Christmas tree or b) anywhere to store the decorations the rest of the year. Well lucky for you, mini trees are a massive trend this year! Decorate with diddy baubles and a string of fairy lights to add some instant holiday cheer no matter how small your apartment.

13. Make an entrance with an OTT garland

There's no denying that once a year, it's worth going over the top to make your home look festive. A hallway garland will create a welcoming first impression for guests. Just a few tips – whether you go real or fake – one threaded with wire will make it easier to wind around the banister securely. If you do go for a real one, pick foliage known not to drop, wilt or brown quickly.

For our pick of the best Christmas garlands, head over to our feature.

14. Switch up how you display a wreath

Did you learn how to make a Christmas wreath? If so, then you definitely need to hang it with pride! Why not do it with a difference and suspend yours horizontally like the Scandis do (above)? Over the dining table is best, with droplet baubles hanging beneath.

A fire surround loves a garland, too, but ensure yours is well out of the way of any flames (we didn't need to tell you that, did we? We did, it's a legal requirement). Put it atop the mantelpiece or swag it, with baubles at its centre for a traditional, formal feel.

15. Use baubles imaginatively (ie, not on the tree)

Christmas wreath and accessories by John Lewis

Remember what we said about using the baubles on the stair garland or within the one on the fireplace? There are tons of places you can dot baubles about – in the living room, as Christmas table decor (that Kelly Hoppen would fully approve, on your bar cart and beyond – to create a gorgeous festive look, without having to buy anything new.

16. Go overboard with Christmas lights

Dobbies Garden Centres Christmas Lighting 2018

You can't go over the top here: literally go crazy with Christmas lights (well, you can go over the top, but we're talking tasteful crazy here). As well as hanging them around window and door frames, across the mantelpiece, around the banisters and on the tree (obviously), you can put battery-run, LED lights in a sturdy glass vase to create an instant table centerpiece – and don't forget outdoors, too.

Find more Christmas fairy light ideas in our buying guide.

17. Don't ignore the kitchen Christmas decorations

We know it might not be that practical to have a full on tree in your kitchen but why not try adding a garland or two – they take up zero room and bring in just as much of a festive feel. String them along your shelves or create a Christmas window display for an even more festive touch.

18. Create a festive feel outdoors, too

While not many of us have room (or the budget or the extra outdoor Christmas decorations) for a real Christmas tree outside the front or back door, we all have a front door that's crying out for a Christmas wreath. Pushed for time? Buy a ready-made Christmas wreath for a gorgeous display.

19. Pick a neutral color scheme for an understated look

Decorating with Danish-designed pieces, natural materials and lots of tactile textures has put heart and soul into Katie and Russell's stylish home

How dreamy is this Christmas decor? It works so well with the style of the interiors – looks like it should be there all year round! Copy this look by keeping your colour scheme nice and neutral and instead add interest with textures. Mix glass baubles with larger paper ones and make sure you add in lots of greenery too.

20. Or, a berry lovely background

chair covered with rug and christmas chandelier

If you have a beautiful paint color on the walls like this one, then you can be a little more subtle with your Christmas decor. Should you be painting your dining room or another room in the house in time for the festive season, choose warm colors and complement them with your tableware or furniture.

21. Light up every space

Christmas fairy lights: Amazon Lights4fun Christmas micro cluster light on silver wire

From Rohan Blacker, Pooky founder:

"Lighting brings a certain kind of magic when setting the scene for the festivities. To keep things merry and bright, fairy lights are your secret weapon - pinned around window sills, mirrors, doorways, lacing bookshelves. Such a simple yet effective way to set the tone and fill everyone with the excitement of Christmas."

"Dress your lanterns and pendants with ivy and tinsel to create a decorative ornament out of them. Alternatively, you can opt for lovely coloured lamp in warm tones or reds and greens to bring in the colours of the season."

22. Be a little bold

blue cosy reading corner in festive living room

It is Christmas after all, Patricia Gibbons from the design team at sofa.com shared some thoughts:

"People never seem to shy away from the classic greys and silvers, however at Christmas time we recommend velvet fabrics. Velvet has lovely shimmer properties, catching and reflecting light from all angles with incredible depth. The perfect material to add a layer of extra shine and warmth to your living room space, especially during the festivities. We have a selection of beautifully silky velvet cushions, footstools and sofas that will help do just that."

"In terms of colour, bolder tones are very much on the rise, people are becoming more adventurous with their interior choices. Reds and pinks such as our Rhubarb and Claret hues and bright fuchsia pinks are often the go-to option for these brighter contrasts. Muted, neutral velvets in Butterscotch and Olive tones have also seen quite a surge in popularity, and both work brilliantly with a grey palette."

23. A super quick decor idea? Stockings and greenery

Got half an hour to decorate? Stockings and a garlands are going to be a saviour. They instantly make anywhere feel more festive – you could do some classic mantle decor but if you don't have a fireplace wrap some greenery around your staircase and hang some stocking on the bannister or even decorate around a door frame.

24. Adorn a mirror

Well is this Christmas living room not the most beautiful thing you have ever seen? That mirror is the star of the room, and could be a really easy look to replicate – just use your mirror to build foliage around, you could even just wrap a garland around it, or find a wreath to fit.

25. Go for a brighter scheme this year

Modern fireplace with neon Christmas decorations

If you want to stray away from the classic red and green or snowy whites, you need to check out the rest of this Christmas house. It's fun and modern and just so cheery – fill your home with colourful paper decs, glitter balls and bright lights for something a bit different this year.

26. Add dried flowers to your Christmas decor

Dried flowers and grasses have been such a trend fro 2020, so why not bring some that boho style into your Christmas tree? Add in pampas grass or dried flower stems in amongst the greenery to add a ton of interest and texture – plus this is a great hack for filling any gaps your tree might have.

27. Quick Christmas decor idea? Go for the mantle

If you have left your Christmas decor a bit last minute, or have neglected a room you want to add some quick festiveness too, a mantle piece is the best place to decorate. And if you don't have a mantle piece, try adding foliage or a garland and paper decorations a above your pictures and prints or along some shelfs. Remember it's meant to look a bit rustic so don't worry if yours doesn't look perfect.

28. Switch up your cushions in a bedroom or living room

Another super easy way to bring some festive vibes into your living room is to switch up your cushions. And we aren't just talking full on cheesy holiday cushions, if you like a more subtle look, add in some faux fur cushions, maybe a touch of dark green and red. Check out H&M for all the best wintery cushions.

29. Use food as decor for a last minute idea

Where would we be without oranges at Christmas, they smell great, taste great in festive tipple, and make for fab last minute decor. We love the look of dried oranges but you could also go for the classic clove studded orange as table decor.

30. Light all the candles

Make every room feel instantly more cozy and festive by lighting all the candles. Go for a mix of heights and trail some ivy along the base to add in some greenery.