35 Pretty Christmas Living Room Ideas to Get You Ready for the Holidays

By BH&G Holiday Editors
Updated November 30, 2020
Credit: Adam Albright
Don't stop at the Christmas tree—extend your Christmas decorations through the whole living room. These Christmas decorating ideas will have your space overflowing with cheer, whatever your decorating style.
Start Slideshow

1 of 35

Red and White Christmas Living Room

Credit: Jay Wilde

Inspired by the classic crimson red and crisp white of baker's twine, this farmhouse Christmas living room is filled with stylish accents. A classic pine garland, galvanized tree collar, and flocked evergreen wreath add simple holiday touches while allowing the Christmas tree to shine. The secret to a lush tree is to decorate in layers—get our step-by-step instructions for trimming the tree.

Advertisement
Advertisement

2 of 35

Eclectic Christmas Decor

Credit: David A. Land

Design blogger Kelly Elko's living room has an eclectic feel with a bold blue velvet sofa, outdoor rattan chair, and midcentury take on a wing-back chair. With so many red accessories establishing the room’s seasonal cheer, Kelly opted for white ornaments on the tree. “I put our family ornaments in a big bowl so we could still look through them,” she says.

3 of 35

Green Plaid Living Room

Credit: Adam Albright

Inspired by Charm blogger Michael Wurm Jr. chooses a new theme for his living room each year. No matter the motif, he stuffs his Christmas tree with ribbons, baubles, and favorite ornaments. His living room shimmers with emerald and metallics—from the simple gold wreaths on the mantel to the buffalo check wrapped gifts under the tree.

Advertisement

4 of 35

Farmhouse Christmas Living Room

Credit: Adam Albright Photography Inc

This living room's Christmas tree shows off many distinctive decorating elements such as pomegranates, lamb's ear, and eucalyptus garlands. Neutral details like wood pillar candles, simple stockings, and butcher paper-wrapped gifts blend seamlessly with the classic red and green tree.

5 of 35

Simple Christmas Living Room

Credit: Jay Wilde

White furnishings and a neutral rug provide a clean palette for these classic green Christmas living room decorations. A sparse tree showcases a chunky braided garland and colorful ball ornaments. Complete the look with a pile of wrapped gifts in coordinating patterns.

6 of 35

Bold Christmas Living Room

Credit: Adam Albright

This Christmas living room commands attention! An oversize holiday sign draws the eye to a collection of small houses peeking out above a lush garland with eucalyptus, pinecones, and small berries. To complete the Christmas mantel, faux fur stockings are labeled with wooden tags.

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

7 of 35

Silver and Gold Living Room

Credit: Jay Wilde

A soft flocked Christmas tree anchors this luxe holiday living room. Enhance it with faux flower blooms, ribbons, and loads of ornaments. Gift boxes, rather than paper wrappings, coordinate with the decor's color scheme. Add a dash of glamour with an embellished wreath and velvet stockings.

8 of 35

Use Traditional Elements for a Classic Look

Credit: Michael Partenio

Christmas living rooms don't need to be a total redesign. Strong red plaids and natural greens combine with existing woodsy elements to create a cozy cabin look. Faux fur blankets and a roaring fire make the room warm and inviting.

9 of 35

Let Bold Decor Dictate

Credit: Michael Partenio

If you have bold accents in your living room, let them shine year-round with coordinating holiday decor. The bright blue credenza serves as the perfect starting point for a fun and festive color scheme. Light blue, hot pink, lime green, and bright white ornaments are ideal accents throughout this cozy Christmas living room.

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

10 of 35

Utilize Vintage Finds

Credit: Adam Albright

If you yearn for the feel of Christmases past, draw inspiration from vintage Christmas decorations. Burlap, subtle red accents, and live greens perfectly accent paint-chipped furniture and old glass ornaments. Cut evergreen adds to the classic Christmas look.

11 of 35

Metallic Christmas Living Room

Credit: Jay Wilde

For a look that's festive but calm, try an array of metallic decorations. A great option for neutral homes—your year-round decor will look like it was handpicked for your Christmas living room.

12 of 35

Keep It Simple and Playful

Credit: Brie Williams
Get the FREE pattern

Spread holiday cheer with Christmas home decor to more than just your main living room. Try dressing up a second living space or playroom. Let the kids add handmade ornaments to a tree that's the perfect height. Fun and easy crafts, like our cardboard Christmas trees, make the room playful and kid-friendly.

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

13 of 35

Choose Decorations That are Warm and Bright

Credit: Brie Williams

Layers of texture in this Christmas living room make you want to stay a while. White plates and platters on the wall function well as an accent during the holidays but are also a great focal point year-round. Pom-pom garland and classic snowflake ornaments unite the tree with the room's decor.

14 of 35

Add Unique Mantel Details

Credit: John Bessler

Upgrade your wreath game in a major way. Shape artificial garland to spell out a sweet sentiment and hang above a fireplace or bookshelf. Add some pops of red to your living room Christmas decor and you'll have a look that's both classic and unique.

15 of 35

Go with Bright Colors

Credit: Jeff Herr Photography, Inc.

Give traditional colors a break and use the rainbow to inspire your cozy Christmas living room decorations. Bright blue, pink, green, and gold ornaments hang from the tree, giving new meaning to the term "merry and bright." Wrap presents in brightly colored wrapping paper and hang a colorful beaded garland from the windows to round out the eclectic decorating scheme.

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

16 of 35

Hang a Unique Wreath

Credit: Michael Partenio

Give your Christmas decorations an upgrade with a nontraditional wreath. Fill a wicker basket with freshly clipped evergreen boughs and berried twigs from the backyard, and hang it above the fireplace. Tie the decor together with more greenery on your mantel or in a vase. Already have something over your mantel? Use this idea for a unique Christmas door decoration.

17 of 35

Use Rustic Elements

Credit: Ray Kachatorian

Create a rustic holiday living room with simple, natural accouterments like grain-sack stockings, olive leaf wreaths, and pops of French blue in the pillows, on the mantel, and throughout the Christmas ornaments. For an easy furniture transformation, cover your sofa and chairs with linen sheets—tres chic!

18 of 35

Colorful Christmas Tree

Credit: Robert Brinson

A colorful Christmas tree demands attention, so keep the rest of your decor low-key, especially in a small space. We love the way silver and green elements on the mantel give this room an elegant feel, while birch logs add a touch of country comfort.

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

19 of 35

Blue and Silver Living Room

Credit: King Au

Dress up your living room with sparkling Christmas decorations. Vases filled with ornaments and a blue beaded swag shimmer on the mantel, while a frosted Christmas tree glimmers with white lights and icy blue and silver accent ornaments.

20 of 35

Brighten the Room with Citrus Colors

Credit: Barbara Elliott Martin

If your living room boasts furniture with retro appeal, you're halfway to this simply groovy living room. A pretty, warm color scheme and playful accents like paper Christmas ornaments, polka dots, and a party-ready bar create a funky, vintage Christmas decoration atmosphere.

21 of 35

Christmas-Theme Artwork

Credit: Kate Sears

The Christmas tree is often the focal point of the living room, but remember to spread a little cheer throughout the room. If you're wondering how to decorate a small living room for Christmas, look to the walls. Replace everyday artwork with Yuletide-theme images, such as the framed vintage poster shown here.

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

22 of 35

Utilize a Small Space

Credit: Ray Kachatorian

A small-space holiday arrangement can set the stage for your entire living room, and it's a great way to show off your favorite vintage Christmas decorations. Display cards on an antique shutter or door, and add height to a teeny Christmas tree with an old toboggan.

23 of 35

Add Tradition-Inspired Pieces

Credit: Jeff Herr

Tall socks create cozy stockings, and a stack of vintage suitcases invite Santa to come on down. Candles and poinsettias on the coffee table maintain the classic feel of this Christmas decor. A burlap table runner sets the rustic coffee table scene.

24 of 35

Neutral Christmas Decor

Credit: Dana Gallagher

A traditional living room is the perfect setting for Dickens-era Christmas decorations. The crisp chocolate-and-white color scheme keeps all eyes on the tree in this stately living room, while fun touches like a pom-pom garland and candy tray add hints of Christmas mischief.

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

25 of 35

Christmas Greenery

Credit: Kip Dawkins

An arrangement of greenery will add warmth to your Christmas decorating scheme. A stunning wreath can hang easily from a mirror, and little dishes filled with evergreen twigs and pinecones add cozy, natural details that are so easy to put together.

26 of 35

Nontraditional Christmas Decorations

Credit: Helen Norman

Inspire awe with an outside-the-box Christmas living room. Display fruits and plants on the coffee table. Instead of a traditional tree, use small potted evergreens as festive bookends to a fireplace.

27 of 35

Try a Unique Color Scheme

Credit: John Reed Forsman

Punch up traditional red and green with pops of fuchsia. Introduce the color in small doses: a throw on the couch, ribbon on a wreath, trim around a lampshade, or even gift wrap on the packages. Here, white tabletop Christmas trees are decked all in pink to bring the color center stage.

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

28 of 35

Play Up Colors in Your Home

Credit: Michael Garland

Use the existing color scheme in your living room to inspire your holiday decorations. Wide gold ribbon wrapped around the Christmas tree ties into the golden walls to create an earthy but elegant look. Off-white stockings match the fireplace and the silvery ornaments on the tree.

29 of 35

Utilize Existing Shelf Space

Credit: Kim Cornelison

Clear your display shelves and replace everyday elements with wrapped gifts. It will save you some room under the tree and add height to your Christmas decorations. For a consistent look, decorate the tree and the gifts in a similar color scheme.

30 of 35