Popular Christmas Decorating Ideas

Want to add a little extra holiday spirit around your house this year? Here is our list of fun and easy Christmas decorating ideas.

Blog, Home Design

3D-rendered image of a festive dining room viewed through open double French doors, decorated for the holidays. The room features a large wooden dining table with white upholstered chairs, seasonal table decor with miniature trees and candles, and Christmas trees in the background. The space includes rustic elements like wooden ceiling beams, a chandelier, and a cozy, warmly lit atmosphere.

By Susan Johnson

Published October 28, 2022 Updated June 20, 2025

Images by Andrea Platzer

How to Decorate Your Home for Christmas

Christmas decorating style should invoke the magic of the season. Consider rich colors, soft and cozy textures, and creative ideas that radiate joy and excitement. Here are some of our top picks:

Use fresh and unique Christmas hues
Dream of a white Christmas with a neutral palette
Add festive flair to your dining room
Dress up your front porch
Create a merry mantel
Celebrate in style in an elegant living room
Don’t forget the bedrooms and bathrooms

Now, let’s take an in-depth look at how to incorporate these Christmas décor elements into your home.

3D-rendered image of a cozy, holiday-themed open-concept living space with a staircase in the center. The room features light wood flooring, white paneled walls, and festive red and green accents. A dining area with a rustic table and a kitchen with pendant lighting are visible in the background. The foreground includes a cushioned bench with holiday pillows, a dresser with decor, and a “Bless This Home With Love” sign on the wall.

Use Fresh and Unique Colors for Christmas

Red and green are the colors that tend to rule Christmas. If you are ready for something non-traditional, this could be your year to choose a new and unique color scheme for your holiday cheer.

From metallics to neutrals to jewel tones, unexpected hues can be just as festive and merry as the classic red and green combination.

3D-rendered image of a festive and cozy children’s bedroom decorated for the holidays. The room features two wooden twin beds with pink bedding, a pink butterfly rug, a floral-patterned sofa, and a rocking horse. Christmas decorations include a felt tree, Santa figurines, and a red star hanging on the wall. A pair of study desks with pink chairs and a pink bookshelf are placed along the far wall between tall windows with white curtains. White sculptural pendant lights hang from a white ceiling with exposed wooden beams.

Metallics

Colors set the mood. So, when it comes to celebrations in the cold season, something sparkling and energizing is an excellent choice. Shimmery gold, silver, and copper are artistic and stylish Christmas decorating colors.

3D-rendered image of a bright, modern dining room decorated for the holidays. The view is from an adjacent room with a Christmas tree adorned with silver ornaments and stacked gift boxes. The dining area features a white table with tall white chairs, small tabletop Christmas trees, and a centerpiece of candles. The room is accented with greenery, white curtains, and minimalist decor, creating a festive and elegant atmosphere.

Combine a metallic hue with one bold and expressive color like deep green, purple, teal, or dark blue for greater dimension. The introduction of metallic items will add extra shine and layered depth to the overall color scheme.

Classic blue christmas

Why not get inspired by a classic blue. This color makes a dramatic statement for your Christmas decorations. Blue Christmas decor will transform the ambiance of your space and it combines so well with various textures and materials.

3D-rendered image of a festive open-concept living and dining area with holiday decorations. The foreground features a cozy armchair with a plaid pillow beside a lit fireplace decorated with mini Christmas trees and a candle centerpiece. A white coffee table with small green trees sits on a blue rug.

Green & brown

Color combos found in nature, such as brown and green, always look good. So don’t hesitate to take a cue from Mother Nature and use these popular earth tones to decorate your home this Christmas.

To maintain simplicity, decorate the green tree with brown and tan ornaments only. When decorating the walls and hallways, stick with several different green shades for a layered and multi-toned look.

Dream of a White Christmas

As you’ve seen above, red isn’t the only color option for Christmas. Why not turn your home into a winter wonderland with all-white decorations?

A neutral all-white palette provides a serene and calm look. Use white flowers like roses, hydrangeas, chrysanthemums, and gladiolus, perhaps with mini gingerbread houses to add a little contrast.

3D-rendered image of a cozy Christmas corner featuring a decorated tree with silver ornaments and a star topper, surrounded by wrapped presents. Next to it is a corner fireplace with a marble surround and a lit fire. The mantel is adorned with cone-shaped greenery and white candle holders.

To add a touch of color to your neutral Christmas décor, add some green. You can frame your doorways with greenery, hang boughs from the stair railings, and incorporate mini potted pines, cedars, and cypress. Best of all, when you decorate with holiday greenery, your home will smell amazing!

Add Festive Flair to Your Dining Room

You don’t need to be Martha Stewart to put together a festive dining room and Christmas table. Combine a little creativity with inspiration from our ideas below, and you are on your way to making your dining room merry and bright.

3D-rendered image of a festive holiday kitchen decorated in red and green. A mint green island with a marble countertop is topped with gingerbread cookies, a red stand mixer, and baking supplies. Red barstools line the island, and a red snowman-themed rug adds a cheerful touch near the stove. In the background, a large wall clock, mini Christmas trees, and stacked gift boxes sit on a sideboard.

Red chairs

If you like to go with a traditional color scheme, the color red is always popular. So why not swap out your everyday dining chairs with a set of red-painted chairs? This project can even be a fun and inexpensive DIY Christmas decorating idea to try out with your kids. Either use wooden chairs from home, buy some online or check out the local flea market.

If a DIY painting project isn’t your thing, consider using red dining chair slipcovers. They are available online and can be removed and stored after the holidays until next year. Choose slipcovers that reach the floor to hide chair legs or simple seat covers if you want to show off the rest of the chair.

Top RoomSketcher Tip
Use a ribbon to hang a bow, wreath, ornament or a name tag on the back of your chairs to create that extra special detail.

Cluster candlesticks

Suspending ornaments from the chandelier above your dining table is a great way to add some extra depth to your Christmas display. Then, illuminate the space with an arrangement of tall candlesticks on the table.

You can choose any color — red, white, or even gold – whichever best fits your theme, to create a festive centerpiece.

Start with three candlesticks of varying heights and then add more. No candlesticks? This Christmas decorating idea works well with pillar candles too. It’s an easy way to give the area a warm glow.

3D-rendered image of a holiday-themed dining room with a large rustic wooden table set for a festive meal. The table is decorated with red napkins, black candle holders with red candles, and small green Christmas tree figurines. White upholstered chairs surround the table, which sits on a beige patterned rug.

Layers of plaid

Plaid decor is a trend that you can utilize in so many ways. Our top tip – use plaid on Christmas table settings. You can pair a plaid tablecloth with bright white elements on a holiday tablescape to keep the look fresh. Wrap a plaid ribbon around a mason jar candle or use plaid napkins. You can’t go wrong with a touch of plaid this time of year.

3D-rendered image of a festive dining room set for a holiday meal. A rustic wooden table is covered with a navy, red, and white plaid table runner and decorated with small green Christmas tree figurines. Each place setting features red napkins, white plates, and wine glasses. The room includes white upholstered chairs, double French doors, a white sideboard with a lamp and fruit bowl, and white cabinetry in the kitchen area.

Dress up Your Front Porch

While there are numerous ways to decorate your home’s interior, there’s no better way to spread holiday cheer than by adding some winter charm to your front porch.

From festive twinkling lights to sweeping garlands, a decorated front porch is a Christmas décor trend that will make your home feel inviting.

3D-rendered image of a festive front porch decorated for the holidays. The entrance features double blue French doors flanked by two green Christmas trees and hanging lantern lights. A doormat with a red vintage truck and tree design adds seasonal charm. To the left, a wooden rocking chair with a red and green plaid pillow sits next to a window decorated with a large red star ornament.

Pre-lit cordless greenery is an easy way to add brightness to the season with limited work or maintenance. Simple yet sophisticated, this popular Christmas decoration makes the perfect addition for an extended holiday season, as once you set the timer, and you are good to go. Your decorations will automatically light up at your specified time each night.

How about making your front porch burst with color this Christmas? One way to achieve this look is by dangling ornaments from the overhang and using a few old sleds as porch décor. Add a cheerful holiday doormat. On the door, hang an evergreen wreath decorated with brass bells, and fill lanterns with Christmas ornaments for a creative touch.

Create a Merry Mantel

The Christmas season means cozy nights spent by the fire, which calls for a festive mantel above the fireplace. Though your Christmas tree may be the centerpiece of your decorations, don’t overlook the mantel as another area to add holiday cheer. Best of all, the following mantel decoration ideas will make it easy for you to pull off another beautiful focal point.

3D-rendered image of a festive living space featuring a white fireplace with a roaring fire. The mantel is decorated with small green cone-shaped trees and a red heart garland. Above the mantel hangs a large red star decoration. To the left, a glimpse of the kitchen reveals holiday touches, including a red and white rug and red appliances.

Wooden candlesticks in varying heights, a lush garland, and matching stockings create a simple, serene, and peaceful mantle.

When it comes to decking your home for Christmas, you can go a long way with vintage elements. Consider using bottlebrush trees, plenty of greenery, and postcards to add a vintage vibe to your Christmas mantle.

Go on an exploration journey in your backyard for tree trimmings, branches, and bright berries. Bring it all together indoors and arrange it beautifully on your Christmas mantel.

Celebrate in Style in an Elegant Living Room

The living room becomes the heart of your home during the holiday season. After all, it’s where your family gathers to keep warm and enjoy time by the fire during cold winter nights. So, it’s nice to make your living room inviting at Christmas. Here are some creative ideas:

3D-rendered image of a cozy holiday living room. A white sectional sofa with red and green plaid pillows faces a coffee table with red candles. A striped armchair sits next to a Christmas tree with silver ornaments and wrapped presents. The fireplace is lit and decorated with a red heart garland. Above the mantel is a photo of hands holding cranberries.

Use presents as décor

By getting creative with where you place your presents, you can actually use them as Christmas décor. Play with metallics like silver and gold to add a bit of seasonal glam and tuck them into empty spaces. Also, consider filling a crate or basket with a few pretty gifts, some greenery, and lights for that added sparkle.

3D-rendered image of a cozy holiday sitting room. Two tan armchairs with red plaid pillows face a white coffee table topped with red and green wrapped presents. A lit fireplace is in the corner with simple green and red decorations on the mantel. The room has wood floors, a beige rug, two dark wood dressers with holiday decor, and a wooden toy train on the floor.

Frame your tree

Make your Christmas tree the focal point of your living room by placing it in a central location and framing it with two cozy and inviting chairs or couches. Add some festive decorative pillows to complete the look.

3D-rendered image of a holiday-themed sitting area with a Christmas tree in the center. The tree is decorated with silver ornaments and topped with a gold star. Two green and white striped armchairs with decorative pillows face each other on either side of the tree. Stacked white gift boxes sit in front of the tree. A small round table with a teacup and a gold floor lamp are placed next to the right chair. The room features white curtains, dark wood flooring, and a brown patterned rug.

The holidays are the perfect time to bring out all the vintage furniture that has been tucked away in your attic, especially an antique rocking chair. Place it near the fireplace, and you’ll stay warm and cozy. Just add Christmas music and a cup of hot cocoa!

Don’t Forget the Bedrooms and Bathrooms

Don’t reserve all your best Christmas decorating ideas for the living room. Save some for the bedrooms and bathrooms as well.

3D-rendered image of a festive bedroom decorated for the holidays. The room features a bed with red and white bedding, flanked by nightstands and windows with red plaid valances. A Christmas tree with red ornaments and a gold star stands next to a lit fireplace with green cone decorations and wrapped gifts on the mantel.

Bedroom Christmas decorations

We all spend a decent amount of our time in our bedrooms. For this reason, it is nice to infuse a bit of holiday cheer into the place where you sleep and wake up.

Prep the space by draping a pretty garland across your headboard, or spread some red and green throw blankets on your bed. Put up a minimalistic tree decorated with lights, or hang a small Christmas banner. Add a wreath or freshly cut foliage to add a scent of the holidays to your bedroom.

3D-rendered children's bedroom decorated for the holidays. The room includes a wooden bed with a Santa doll, a small desk with a blue chair, a gray sofa with star-patterned upholstery, and several toys on the floor including a red toy car and a wooden train.

Bathroom Christmas decorations

Why not add a few decorative touches to your bathrooms? Depending on your theme — rustic, vintage, or traditional — add elements like evergreen garlands, festive holiday bath towels, winter scented candles, or Christmas themed bath mat.

3D-rendered holiday-themed bathroom featuring a freestanding clawfoot tub, a walk-in shower with white subway tile, and a white double-sink vanity with black fixtures. The space includes wood-look flooring, a red Christmas-themed bath mat, and red accents such as cups and soap dispensers.

Get Started

These Christmas decorating ideas were created with the RoomSketcher App. You can use this easy-to-use online home design tool to plan and visualize your Christmas decorating ideas too!

To get started, simply create a free RoomSketcher account and start designing.

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