Leonard Williamson
Deciding on Christmas living room decor ideas can feel like a big task if you're just starting. 'From a decadent fireplace display with festive foliage to fairy lights and candles strewn around the room, Christmas is a time to unleash your inner maximalist.'
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. '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.’
'English pine, holly, twigs, winter eucalyptus... anything that will dry nicely and add a festive scent. Finally, to finish off, I’d suggest layering between the arrangements with antique candlesticks, loose pinecones, cinnamon sticks, and tea lights.’
Whether it's decorating your tree with brightly hued baubles or dressing your mantelpiece with vivid-hued pampas grass, be bold and release your inner Christmas artist. 'Don't be afraid to bring a glamorous tone with jewel shades of emerald, indigo, and fuchsia to your free,' says Abi Wilson of Habitat (opens in new tab), says. 'The main rule for Christmas decorating is to have fun with it,' says Connor Prestwood, interior designer at Dowsing & Reynolds (opens in new tab). '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. 'The popular mantelscaping trend offers a great excuse to get experimental with Christmas decorating,' says Abi. Stagger the hanging heights and mix matte and shiny finishes to craft a considered yet eclectic festive look. '
Baubles aren’t just limited to Christmas trees and are a simple way to add more festive touches in the house. Fabulous baubles 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 (opens in new tab).
'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.
A vintage-inspired cart is a perfect place to store your favorite beverages and some Christmas nibbles; plus a lovely home bar idea. 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.
'There is something oh-so-comforting about a classic red and green color palette and traditional Christmas styling,' says Nadia. 'Christmas is a time to embrace this warm, inviting, and joyful trend,' says Stefan Ormenisan, founder and creative director at Mindthegap (opens in new tab).
'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.' 'For those who prefer a more pared-back mood, consider adding an abundance of cushions, a rich patterned lampshade, and a beautifully decorated tree, which will provide a burst of maximalist style that’s easy to change after the festive season.'
Design and renovation expert Laura Butler-Madden (opens in new tab) likes to use soft pastels in her Christmas color palette. 'Why not try a smaller tabletop tree on a sideboard or console table, or add a full pine garland to a mantelpiece or around a mirror?
'If you don’t have a mantelpiece, bringing in a foraged branch and suspending it against the wall in the area you’d usually expect to find a Christmas fireplace is a good way to achieve a focal point,' says Ailie Williams, stylist at Neptune (opens in new tab). 'Using neutral colors when decorating the tree won't draw as much attention to how small the space is.'
'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 (opens in new tab).
'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.
