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Nov 12, 2024

15 Christmas decor ideas: set the perfect seasonal scene | Homes & Gardens

Create a home that feels merry and bright with our favorite Christmas decor ideas When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Here’s how it works. As the holiday

Create a home that feels merry and bright with our favorite Christmas decor ideas

When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Here’s how it works.

As the holiday season approaches, transforming your home with Christmas decor brings warmth, joy, and a touch of magic to every corner. And for many of us, styling our home is one of the most fun and exciting parts.

Many of us have favorite decorations passed down through generations and Christmas traditions, but anyone who loves Christmas time knows there's always room for more. Whether you’re drawn to timeless classics or new and unique Christmas decor trends, a thoughtfully decorated space is the key to making your home feel extra special this Christmas.

From beautiful wreaths and outdoor Christmas decor ideas to Christmas trees, cozy candles, ornaments, and seasonal tablescaping, Christmas decor is all about making your home feel more unique, joyful, and festive for the Christmas celebration.

No matter your budget or the style of your home, we've included a range of festive decorating ideas that can work with interior spaces of all sizes and styles. From stand-out Christmas table decor, to unique Christmas tree ideas, it's time to deck the halls from top to bottom with our collection of Christmas decor ideas.

While it's a rather obvious one, Christmas wreath ideas never go out of style and can be used to bring beautiful seasonal decoration and natural styling to both the inside and outside of your home.

From hanging in windows to using for Christmas wall decor, this Christmas tradition for Christmas door decor is one of the first steps to decorating your home for Christmas.

As well as being crafted from inviting natural foliage and flowers, Christmas wreaths now come in a range of designs and materials, so you are sure to find one to match the personal style of your home.

Textured and traditional, this classic wreath gives your front door an elevated, whimsical nod. The faux greenery offers all the warmth of juniper without any of the mess.

This year, Terrain's Christmas wreaths are on their A-game, and this wreath is utterly timeless. The faux pine brings a homely feel offset by bursts of color from the red berries.

If you're looking for something a little different with oodles of charm and color, this paper village wreath from Terrain has to be it. It is dotted with tiny, colorful paper houses and brush trees.

Wonderfully versatile, Christmas garland ideas can be used to decorate mantelpieces, stairways, doorways, tables and more, but why not dial up the look and use them to create a statement look on your walls? Made from fresh foliage, these garlands elegantly enhance the Christmas fireplace ideas in this living room.

'This unusual display of rustic garlands gives the formal living room a unique air of whimsy. This kind of Christmas styling works well with a room with a high ceilings, leaving plenty of space for a beautiful display of Christmas foliage,' says Jo Bailey, print editor at Homes & Gardens.

Learn how to make a Christmas garland using our handy guide or shop some of our favorite garland picks below.

a We love the understated simplicity of this Faux shimmer garland, ideal for adding a glamorous and rustic natural touch to your home for the holidays.

This realistic green faux garland is designed to sit sturdily on your mantle for you to dress up with baubles and fruit to create your own festive display.

This versatile faux olive garland is perfect for adorning a mantel, tabletop or staircase, adding inviting and colorful natural texture to your space.

The arrival of your tree really marks the start of Christmas, so it pays to make the right choice.

Real Christmas trees will look fresh and vibrant for the holidays, and will fill your home with that lovely pine scent – perfect for making your home smell good for Christmas. We explore how to bring a Christmas tree home in our dedicated feature.

Of course, real trees are not for everyone (the endless clearing up of pine needles can get very tiresome), and both faux and alternative Christmas trees can make for an inspired choice. From colorful trees, to unique shapes and designs crafted from bare branches, tinsel and more, an artificial tree can make quite the statement – and they are always easier to take down on the Twelfth Night of Christmas.

Before buying your tree, real of faux, measure the space where it will be positioned, particularly the height and maximum width – remember that some branches can be trimmed for a better fit.

With so much of the festive season centered around food and drink, it’s no wonder Christmas dinner is often the central part of the celebrations for many of us, so make the most of this moment and create a magical Christmas table – guaranteed to impress your guests if you're hosting on Christmas day or are having a Christmas party.

From a collection of seasonal tableware and serveware to beautiful tablecloths, Christmas table centerpieces, candles, and more, tablescaping always combines an elegant mix of practical dinnerware with eye-catching decoration.

Andrea Waters, director at Portmeirion advises, 'choosing a theme will stand you in good stead for creating the perfect tablescape. Your theme doesn’t need to be blindingly obvious, but it could be a common thread, such as a single color that appears throughout, or a motif that you repeat in subtle ways.'

Designed to be lined up along your mantelpiece or Christmas tablescape, these delicate handcrafted candlesticks add a delicate floral touch to the festivities.

It wouldn't be Christmas without a little red and white. Inspired by restaurants, terraces and cafes, this 4-piece set feels so retro.

Fun yet classic with a handmade look, these glazed stoneware bowls will make a showstopper out of dessert this Christmas.

Traditional color palettes usually embrace shades of red, green and gold, silver, blue and purple.

When choosing Christmas ornaments for your tree, it is often best to stick to a theme, and you can never go wrong with the traditional colors of Christmas.

For a cohesive and coordinate look, embrace a traditional color palette throughout your home, ideal for more traditional homes or for Farmhouse Christmas decor. Or, for a more unique, eclectic style, switch up your color schemes in different spaces of the home; use traditional colors in a living room and contemporary colors in a dining room, for example.

It seems that every year Christmas ornaments and decorations become more unique, vibrant, and fun, with many of us embracing color schemes and decorating ideas that feel more modern or in sync with our interior style.

While traditional red, green, and gold remain beloved Christmas colors, there’s a growing trend toward softer and more pared-back palettes that blend seamlessly with your existing decor.

Have some fun with muted tones, monochromatic schemes, and unexpected pairings to create a more layered look that doesn’t feel too overdone.

Handcrafted decorations are a great way to give your Christmas decor a unique, personal touch and are perfect for handing down through the generations.

Colorful, folk-patterned stockings, along with natural rose hip and fir garlands, take center stage in this vibrant scheme, bringing vibrant color, decoration and texture to this Christmas mantel.

Hand-made decor adds soul to a space. It’s about creating pieces that feel one-of-a-kind and connecting them to personal memories. Incorporating DIY decorations made by family or unique finds from local artisans can lend your home an inviting, comforting feel that mass-produced pieces often lack.

Bring a touch of nostalgia to Christmas decor ideas by opting for decor that creates a more retro feel.

'From embracing a traditional red palette and decorating a tree with retro ribbons and candy-cane baubles to paper garlands and candles, often the most stylish of interior schemes beautifully combines the old with the new, so why not embrace a more eclectic mix of styles with your Christmas decor ideas, too,' says Homes & Gardens' editor in chief, Lucy Searle.

Humble paper chains, like these pretty designs from Etsy, are a great way to bring a vintage feel to your scheme, plus they are sustainable and a fun activity to enjoy in the lead-up to Christmas.

Create a playful Christmas story scene with this set of 4 snow-topped bottle brush trees. I'm looking to get a few boxes and line them up along my mantlepiece for an alternative to a faux foliage garland this year.

We're predicting felt tree decorations to be a big hitter this Christmas. With a vintage feel, this set of 4 felt fruits will add some zest to your tree.

Amazon has an abundance of these vintage characters, but this retro fawn really caught my eye. It has such a nostalgic charm and will be perfect for a mantle or console table vignette.

As well as wreaths and garlands, there are so many other ways you can get creative with natural accents for your Christmas decor ideas; from vases of seasonal cuttings from your yard and garden to Christmas plants and flowers, cactuses, pine cone decorations, and more.

Melissa Oholendt, of Oho Interiors, chose to accessorize her fall foliage garland with some dried oranges and ribbons to create a beautiful mantlepiece.

'When decorating, focus on using natural tones of foliage, dried fruits, and berries to bring interior spaces alive for the season. Holly and spruce look lovely tucked behind artworks, mirrors, and pictures, as well as on tables, banisters, and fireplace surrounds,' says Ottalie Stride, creative director of Albion Nord.

The fireplace is often the heart of the home during the holiday season, and decorating it can set the tone for a warm, festive atmosphere. From stockings and garlands to candles and lights, a well-decorated fireplace can instantly make your living room feel like a cozy, holiday movie set.

Aside from your Christmas tree, a fireplace will often be the main focal point in your living room – as well as the main area you will gather around during the cold winter evenings, so it pays to enhance this feature with Christmas decor.

From garlands and foliage draped over the mantel to lanterns, candles, and Christmas ornaments, a fireplace provides the perfect platform to get creative with seasonal styling and decoration.

Indoor Christmas lighting ideas are an integral part of festive decoration and can help to create a warm welcome in every room.

From the traditional fairy lights to LED options in both static and eye-catching flickering settings that mirror your outdoor Christmas light ideas, the ways in which you light your home this Christmas can really bring the festive season to life.

As well as lights, cozy candles can make for a truly versatile Christmas decoration. They can not only make your home smell nice, and feel more inviting and warm, they can act as stylish decorations in their own right and are perfect for using all over the home.

The best part of Christmas is really leaning into the gimmicks and motifs that make you feel nostalgic for your childhood festivities, like these fun glass Christmas tree candle holders.

Starburst lights are such a fun take on traditional fairy lights. With 18 twinkling rose gold stars, this garland will cast a celestial glow with 288 warm white LEDs.

Anthropologie are famous for their candles, and for good reason. The scent is a cozy winter daydream of whipped vanilla marshmallow topped with brown sugar crystals and warm amber woods.

Christmas window decor ideas are a lovely way to spark joy in quiet corners of the home – and we love that they can be appreciated from both the inside and outside.

Lighting can transform a room, especially when placed on windows. They add warmth and create an inviting view from the outside, making your home feel welcoming. Adding seasonal touches like frosted window clings, pinecones, or even candles on the windowsills can complete the effect, giving each room a festive frame that enhances the holiday spirit inside and out.

Try stringing up paper garlands, lining the windowsill with winter foliage and candles, or simply hanging baubles from handles. Garlands with colored glass baubles would work particularly well as they will shine like jewels in the winter light.

'Sometimes the simplest of decorating ideas can have a beautiful impact, and if you're planning on doing lots of hosting and entertaining over the Christmas period, then a few simple, festive additions to your bar cart or home bar, will add a wonderful seasonal touch,' says Jennifer Ebert, Homes & Gardens' digital editor.

This bar cart has been elegantly elevated with green foliage, candles, and a selection of Christmas ornaments.

Consider recreating the look in your own home with festive glassware, adding foliage or ribbons, and creating a warm, layered look with seasonal colors.

Christmas stair decor ideas can add a festive flourish to a more busy, transitional space in the home. Whether you go for something understated or over-the-top, a staircase bedecked with garlands of foliage will instantly make an impact, especially for Christmas hallway ideas.

As well as wrapping garlands around handrails and balusters, you can also tie decorations such as hanging baubles and pretty bows.

To make your decor even more personalized, consider hanging small framed photos or tags with holiday messages from each step.

From Christmas bedroom decor and kitchen Christmas decor, to decorating entryways and even bathrooms, Christmas decor ideas should not just be embraced in a living room or dining room.

To create an enriched festive feel, or for a more maximalist look, using seasonal decor throughout your home will only make your space feel more fun and special for the celebration.

Whether you place a Christmas tree in your bedroom, a few ribbons to your bathroom scones, or simply add a garland or wreath to a wall in your kitchen, if you love the festive season, why not go all out?

Sure Amazon has plenty of cheap-looking stockings, but if you dig a little deeper, you'll find loads of hand-crafted versions that have been beaded, crocheted, and embroidered for a really good price like this beautiful stocking with tassels.

Whether hung on your tree or more surprising spots like cabinet handles, these metal leaves can be hung up from fall onwards. Each piece is made from brass-finished iron for a shimmering, classic feel.

Nothing says festive like a little Christmas village. Display this by itself or with other homes (including a lighthouse and church) in the Snowflake Lane collection.

Experimenting with texture and style – whether modern rustic or classic elegance – is a great way to break away from your everyday aesthetic. Do opt for a scheme that complements or enhances your existing interiors rather than competing with them.

Woodland-inspired decorations suit a pared-back or country scheme that features rustic elements such as exposed brickwork or architectural detailing, while an all-white faux tree with elements of hot pink can work well in an ultra-contemporary setting.

Try carrying the look through by replicating it in smaller details such as ribbon, wrapping, napkins, glassware and foliage for a unified approach, but do keep the theming casual for a more relaxed look.

Unsurprisingly, a Christmas tree is the most popular Christmas decoration. There’s nothing like having a real tree in your home at Christmas to create a wonderful festive atmosphere – let the pine-scented aroma infuse your house with merry memories.

There are myriad choices when it comes to styling your home for Christmas. The trick is to choose a theme and invest in key pieces that bring that story to life. Take a look at some of our favorite places to shop for beautiful festive decor below if you're on the hunt for a few new key pieces.

Design expertise in your inbox – from inspiring decorating ideas and beautiful celebrity homes to practical gardening advice and shopping round-ups.

Jennifer is the Digital Editor at Homes & Gardens. Having worked in the interiors industry for a number of years, spanning many publications, she now hones her digital prowess on the 'best interiors website' in the world. Multi-skilled, Jennifer has worked in PR and marketing, and the occasional dabble in the social media, commercial and e-commerce space. Over the years, she has written about every area of the home, from compiling design houses from some of the best interior designers in the world to sourcing celebrity homes, reviewing appliances and even the odd news story or two.

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