Christmas Living Room Decor: 20 Cozy Budget Ideas That Make Your Living Room Look Like a Magazine Cover
Christmas living room decor is where most of us start, because the living room is the room everyone sees first and uses most in December. The good news is that a magazine look does not need a magazine budget. Soft pillows, a chunky throw, fresh greens, a few baskets and a smart place for stockings do most of the work. This list was inspired by a cozy decorate with me video that pulled in more than 227,000 views, plus the room styling tricks our readers loved in past seasons. Each idea below comes with a short supply list and quick steps, and most of them use things you already own. Pick three or four, mix them with your tree, and your Christmas living room decor will feel warm, layered and finished..
Start With a Simple Christmas Living Room Decor Plan
Before you buy anything, stand in the doorway and look at the entire room. Pick one color story, like red, green and natural wood, and repeat it in three places: the tree, the sofa and the mantel. In this room the plaid throw echoes the red ornaments, and the pine garland ties the fireplace to the tree. That simple repeat is the secret behind most Christmas living room decor that looks styled. Our mantel styling ideas show how to finish the fireplace wall..
You will need: a plaid throw, 2 plaid pillows, a pine garland, red and gold ornaments, kraft paper gifts
How to make it: 1. Choose three colors. 2. Repeat them on the tree, sofa and mantel. 3. Stack wrapped gifts near the tree to fill the floor.
Swap in Embroidered Holiday Pillow Covers
Pillow covers are the fastest way to change the mood of a sofa. Zip off the everyday covers and slip on holiday ones with poinsettias, little trees or a wreath design. Mixing two or three motifs looks collected, not matchy. Cream backgrounds keep the look soft, while red trim pulls in the rest of the room. Store the covers flat in a bag after New Year so they come out crisp next season. Want to stitch your own? Try these embroidery projects.
You will need: 2 to 4 holiday pillow covers in your pillow size, a red or green throw for contrast
How to make it: 1. Remove the everyday covers. 2. Fit the holiday covers and plump each insert. 3. Arrange largest at the back, smallest in front.
Drape a Chunky Knit Throw Over the Sofa
A big chunky knit blanket makes a sofa look like the softest seat in the house. Fold it loosely in thirds, then let one end spill over the arm and onto the cushion. Cream works with every color scheme and photographs beautifully next to striped or patterned pillows. If you knit, a chunky blanket is a weekend project with jumbo yarn and your own arms as needles. The relaxed style fits right in with this shabby chic look.
You will need: a chunky knit throw or 3 to 4 skeins of jumbo chenille yarn
How to make it: 1. Fold the throw loosely in thirds. 2. Drape it over one arm. 3. Pull a corner onto the seat so it looks casual.
Set the Tree in a Woven Basket
Tree skirts get bunched up and pet hair magnets. A large woven seagrass basket hides the stand neatly and looks clean all season. Measure the stand first, then pick a basket a few inches wider. Lift the tree, slide the stand inside, and fill gaps with an old towel so it stays steady. Wood bead garland and plaid bows finish this easy piece of Christmas living room decor. You will find more ideas in our basket decor roundup.
You will need: a large round woven basket, an old towel, wood bead garland, 10 to 12 plaid ribbon bows
How to make it: 1. Measure the stand. 2. Set the stand inside the basket and pad the gaps. 3. Add bead garland and bows to the tree.
Hang a Wreath Above the Sofa
The wall above the sofa is often blank, and a wreath fills it with almost no effort. A soft green wreath with white berries and touches of orange looks fresh against white brick or pale paint. Hang it from a picture hook or a removable adhesive hook rated for its weight. Keep the bottom of the wreath about 10 inches above the sofa back so no one bumps it. For more styles, browse these wreath ideas.
You will need: a 20 to 24 inch wreath, a picture hook or adhesive hook, ribbon if you want a hanging loop
How to make it: 1. Find the center of the sofa. 2. Mark a spot about 10 inches above the back. 3. Hang the wreath and straighten it.
No Fireplace? Hang Stockings From the Curtain Rod
No mantel is no problem. A curtain rod over a wide window is a perfect stocking line, and it frames the view at the same time. Tie each stocking with a cream ribbon so they hang at the same height, then tuck a pine sprig into the cuff. Knit stockings in red, cream and green look cozy without any lettering. Check the rod brackets first so the weight is safe. More clever options are in our stocking holder ideas.
You will need: 4 knit stockings, cream ribbon, small pine sprigs, a sturdy curtain rod
How to make it: 1. Cut equal ribbon lengths. 2. Tie each stocking to the rod. 3. Tuck pine into each cuff.
Christmas Living Room Decor for a Sunny Windowsill
A windowsill gets daylight all day, so it is the perfect stage for fresh greens. Fill a simple square pot with floral foam, then push in pine branches, a few red berry stems and a curl of tinsel garland. The sun shining through the needles gives the arrangement a soft glow without any extra decoration. Mist the greens every few days and they stay fresh for weeks. For more container ideas, see our crock decor projects.
You will need: a square pot or planter, floral foam, 6 to 8 pine branches, red berry stems, a short tinsel garland
How to make it: 1. Soak the foam and set it in the pot. 2. Push in pine first, then berries. 3. Loop the tinsel over the top.
Fill a Simple Bowl With Ornaments
Leftover ornaments make an instant centerpiece. Pile red, white and gold ornaments into a plain white bowl and set it on an end table or ottoman. Mix finishes, like glitter, matte and shiny, so the bowl looks rich even with dollar store baubles. Shatterproof ornaments are best if you have kids or a curious cat. It takes two minutes and you can refill it with new colors every year. For a rustic version, try a dough bowl display.
You will need: a wide white bowl, 15 to 20 shatterproof ornaments in red, white and gold
How to make it: 1. Start with the biggest ornaments at the bottom. 2. Add small ones on top. 3. Turn hooks and caps out of sight.
Bottle Brush Trees Behind the Sofa
The console behind the sofa is prime real estate, and a little bottle brush forest looks charming there. Line up trees in green, white and sage, mixing heights so the row rises and falls. A short pine garland underneath hides the bases and adds real texture. This is Christmas living room decor that costs very little, because bottle brush trees are cheap and last for years. Our sideboard styling ideas show more ways to dress a long table.
You will need: 10 to 14 bottle brush trees in mixed sizes, a 4 foot pine garland, a console table
How to make it: 1. Lay the garland down the table. 2. Place the tallest trees in the middle. 3. Fill the ends with smaller trees.
Toss Faux Fur Over an Accent Chair
A faux fur throw turns a plain accent chair into the coziest seat in the room. Drape it over the back and let it pool on the seat, so the fur hangs over the edge. Cream fur looks wintry next to warm leather or wood. Put the chair near a window or plant shelf and the corner becomes a reading spot. Faux fur sheds less if you shake it outside before using it. For more chair dressing, see our chair swag ideas.
You will need: a faux fur throw or faux sheepskin rug, an accent chair
How to make it: 1. Shake the throw outside. 2. Drape it over the chair back. 3. Let the end fall over the front of the seat.
Christmas Living Room Decor With Red Berry Branches
One bold branch in a dark vase can look as striking as a full arrangement. Faux red berry stems hold their shape all season and do not drop on the floor. Choose a heavy vase with texture, like black stoneware, so the red berries pop against it. Angle one stem so it reaches sideways for a modern line. This piece of Christmas living room decor works on a shelf, side table or piano. Our vase filler ideas have more options.
You will need: a heavy textured vase, 1 to 3 faux red berry stems
How to make it: 1. Trim stems to about twice the vase height. 2. Set one stem upright. 3. Angle a second stem to the side.
Group Poinsettias on a Wooden Block
Poinsettias come in more than red. Pale pink and cream varieties look soft and modern, especially in a teal or green pot. Raise one plant on a chunky wooden block so it sits at eye level next to the sofa, then group smaller plants and baskets on the floor around it. Water poinsettias when the soil feels dry, and keep them away from cold drafts. Plant groupings like this look great beside a styled coffee table.
You will need: 1 large poinsettia, a colored pot, a wooden block or stool, 2 to 3 smaller plants
How to make it: 1. Set the block beside the sofa. 2. Place the poinsettia on top. 3. Cluster smaller plants around the base.
Wrap Gifts in Kraft Paper and Twine
Wrapped gifts are decorations too, so wrap early and let them sit out. Kraft paper is cheap, recyclable and looks calm next to every color. Add twine, a wooden star or a sprig of pine, and every package looks like it came from a boutique. A roll of kraft paper wraps dozens of gifts for a few dollars, which keeps your Christmas living room decor on budget. More pretty ideas are in our gift packaging guide.
You will need: a roll of kraft paper, jute twine, small wooden stars, pine sprigs, scissors, tape
How to make it: 1. Wrap each box in kraft paper. 2. Tie with twine in a cross. 3. Tuck a star or pine sprig under the knot.
Tie Ornaments Onto Wrapped Packages
Give plain packages a pop of color by tying a red ornament onto each bow. Red and white baker’s twine looks cheerful, and a small sprig of fir makes the stack smell fresh. Stack the boxes on a bench, side table or rustic tray, with a few pinecones and a gold ornament around them. The ornament becomes a bonus gift for the person who opens the box. Want to make your own? Try these hand painted ornaments.
You will need: wrapped boxes, red and white baker’s twine, small red ornaments, fir sprigs, pinecones
How to make it: 1. Tie twine around each box. 2. Thread an ornament onto the knot. 3. Stack the boxes and add pinecones.
Double Wreaths on French Doors
If your living room has French doors or a double closet, hang a matching wreath on each side. The pair looks formal and festive, and big red velvet bows make it read from across the room. Over the door wreath hangers slide on and off without nails. Check that the doors still close smoothly before you walk away. For more doorway styling, see our door swag ideas.
You will need: 2 matching wreaths, 2 large red bows, 2 over the door wreath hangers
How to make it: 1. Slip the hangers over each door. 2. Hang the wreaths at the same height. 3. Fluff the bows so they match.
Christmas Living Room Decor With a Metal Sleigh
A galvanized sleigh planter makes a playful centerpiece for a coffee table or hearth. Nestle it into a bed of cedar and pine, then tuck in red berries and a few pinecones. The silver metal brightens the dark greens and feels a little farmhouse. Fill the sleigh with more greens, small gifts or extra ornaments if you want height. It is fun Christmas living room decor that kids love. More metal ideas are in our galvanized decor roundup.
You will need: a galvanized sleigh planter, cedar and pine branches, faux red berries, 4 to 6 pinecones
How to make it: 1. Lay the greens on a tray. 2. Set the sleigh in the center. 3. Tuck berries and pinecones around the runners.
Paper Stars Hanging in the Window
Folded paper stars are a classic Scandinavian craft, and they look lovely against a winter window. Fold them from patterned craft paper or old book pages, then hang them at different heights with thin ribbon. Daylight shines through the paper and shows off the folds. A group of five or seven looks fuller than one alone. This simple craft costs almost nothing and makes Christmas living room decor feel handmade. See how a Swedish artist decorated in our Carl Larsson Christmas ideas.
You will need: patterned craft paper, a glue stick, thin ribbon, a tension rod or small hooks
How to make it: 1. Fold 5 to 7 paper stars. 2. Tie ribbon to each top point. 3. Hang them at staggered heights.
Fill a Wooden Crate With Greenery
A wooden crate packed with greens makes a long, low arrangement for a hearth or the floor beside the tree. Fill it with fir, add pinecones and a few gold ornaments, then weave wide mesh ribbon through the top. Soft pampas plumes add a modern touch. Stain a plain craft store crate to make it look old, and your Christmas living room decor gains a rustic piece for under twenty dollars. Our farmhouse Christmas ideas show more rustic styling.
You will need: a wooden crate, wood stain, fir branches, pinecones, gold ornaments, wide mesh ribbon, pampas plumes
How to make it: 1. Stain the crate and let it dry. 2. Pack it with fir. 3. Add ribbon, pinecones, ornaments and pampas.
Christmas Living Room Decor That Keeps Guests Warm
A big basket of blankets next to the sofa is practical and pretty at the same time. Roll plaid blankets so the pattern shows, then add one cream knit throw for softness. Tuck a pine branch into the side of the basket for a seasonal touch. Guests can grab a blanket for movie nights, and the basket hides the clutter when they are done. Pair it with a movie night basket of snacks for an easy evening.
You will need: a large woven basket, 2 to 3 plaid blankets, a cream knit throw, a pine branch
How to make it: 1. Roll each blanket tightly. 2. Stand the rolls upright in the basket. 3. Add the knit throw and pine on top.
Christmas Living Room Decor With a Pinecone Wreath
A pinecone wreath brings warm brown texture that balances all the red and green in the room. Hang it over a vintage cabinet, dresser or bookshelf, where the wood tones match. Make one by hot gluing pinecones to a foam or straw ring, layering big and small cones so no gaps show. A little green fir in the mix keeps it festive. It also lasts for years in storage. More vintage charm is in our Grandma’s tree ideas.
You will need: a 14 inch straw wreath ring, 40 to 60 pinecones, a hot glue gun, a few fir sprigs, a ribbon loop
How to make it: 1. Glue large cones around the ring. 2. Fill gaps with small cones. 3. Add fir sprigs and a hanging loop.
