Maximalist Christmas Decor: 16 More Is More Ideas for a Bold, Happy Home

Maximalist Christmas decor is for anyone who has ever said “this year I will keep it simple” and then came home with three more boxes of ornaments. The more is more look is everywhere right now. One over the top burgundy tree post on Instagram from October 10 pulled in more than 117,000 likes and 1,100 shares, and a red velvet and gold tree from late September passed 61,000 likes. People want rooms that feel full, warm and a little bit wild, like walking into a storybook. The good news is that big style does not need a big budget. Most of these ideas use garland, ribbon, thrifted ornaments and things you already own, just layered with confidence. Here are 16 bold ideas to help you go all in this year..

Maximalist Christmas Decor Starts With a Loaded Tree

Every maximalist Christmas decor plan starts with the tree, and the rule is simple: no bare branches allowed. Instead of spacing ornaments politely, you pack them in, then add wide ribbon, sparkly picks and a few surprises like little birds or velvet fruit. Layering is the secret. Big balls go deep inside the tree to add color and stop any gaps, medium ones go in the middle, and the pretty special pieces sit right on the tips where everyone can see them. Ready to give your tree the full treatment..

You will need: A full artificial or real tree, warm white LED string lights, 60 to 100 shatterproof balls in three sizes, 2 rolls of wide wired ribbon, 10 to 15 glitter picks, ornament hooks, floral wire.

How to make it: 1. Fluff every branch and wrap the LED lights from the trunk outward. 2. Push large balls deep into the tree, then hang medium ones in the middle layer. 3. Tuck ribbon loops in a zigzag from top to bottom and add picks and special ornaments last on the tips.

Red Velvet and Gold Everything

If you want a bold look that still feels classic, pick two colors and repeat them everywhere. Deep red velvet and shiny gold are the favorite pair this season because they look rich in every kind of light. Velvet bows soak up the light and feel soft and cozy, while gold glass bounces it around the room. Use the same pair on your tree, your wreath, your stockings and even your gift wrap so the whole house feels connected. Which two colors would you choose?

You will need: 12 to 20 red velvet bows (or velvet ribbon to tie your own), gold ornaments in matte and shiny finishes, gold wired ribbon, a red velvet tree skirt or a length of velvet fabric, floral wire.

How to make it: 1. Tie velvet ribbon into bows with long tails and wire one to the end of every main branch. 2. Fill the spaces between bows with gold ornaments, mixing finishes. 3. Let gold ribbon fall from the top in loose waves and finish with a velvet skirt at the base.

Maximalist Christmas Decor for Every Doorway

Why stop at the front door? One of the easiest ways to bring maximalist Christmas decor into every room is to hang garland over the inside doorways too. Walking from the hall into the living room suddenly feels like stepping through a festive arch. Removable hooks hold it up without damaging the paint, so it is renter friendly too. Add a few ornaments and bows to match your tree and the whole house starts to feel like one big holiday story. How many doorways do you have?

You will need: One 9 foot faux pine garland per doorway, 3 to 4 clear removable adhesive hooks per door, zip ties or floral wire, small shatterproof ornaments, velvet bows, pinecones.

How to make it: 1. Stick hooks at the top corners and middle of the door frame and wait the time shown on the pack before hanging. 2. Drape the garland over the hooks and let the ends fall partway down the sides. 3. Wire in ornaments, bows and pinecones every few inches.

A Stacked Mantel With Nutcrackers

A maximalist mantel is all about height and layers. Start with a thick base of garland, then add a second layer of different greens like cedar or eucalyptus so it looks wild and full. Next comes the fun part: a row of nutcrackers standing guard along the top. Hang stockings below and you have a cozy focal point that looks great in every photo. If you love these wooden soldiers, start a small collection and add one new friend every year. Who would stand on your mantel?

You will need: Two faux garlands in different greens, faux berry stems, gold ornaments, 4 to 6 nutcracker figures, museum putty, stocking holders, stockings.

How to make it: 1. Lay the first garland along the mantel and let the ends hang down the sides. 2. Layer the second garland on top and tuck in berry stems and ornaments. 3. Stand the nutcrackers along the back edge with putty under each base so they stay put.

Layered Tree Skirts and Gift Piles

A tree skirt does not have to work alone. Layering two skirts, like a soft faux fur one under a bold plaid one, gives the base of your tree the same rich look as the branches above it. In a maximalist home the presents are part of the decor, so wrap them in mixed patterns and top them with big velvet bows. Empty boxes wrapped early in the season fill the space nicely until the real gifts arrive. A vintage sled or a basket of throws next to the tree finishes the scene. Do you wrap your gifts early?

You will need: One large faux fur tree skirt, one smaller plaid tree skirt or a plaid throw, empty boxes in several sizes, patterned wrapping paper, wide velvet ribbon, tape, scissors.

How to make it: 1. Spread the faux fur skirt first, then lay the plaid one on top slightly off center. 2. Wrap empty boxes in mixed patterns and tie each with a large velvet bow. 3. Stack the biggest boxes in back and the smallest in front, leaning a few against each other.

Burgundy Bows on Every Chair

Here is a quick idea that changes a whole room in ten minutes. Tie a big burgundy velvet bow on the back of every dining chair and your table instantly looks ready for a party. Long trailing tails look the most elegant, so cut your ribbon longer than you think. A little pine sprig tucked into each knot adds a fresh touch. If you love this color, you will find even more ideas in our burgundy Christmas decor gallery. Will you try it before your next family dinner?

You will need: About 2 yards of wide burgundy velvet ribbon per chair, small faux pine sprigs, sharp fabric scissors, a few safety pins (optional).

How to make it: 1. Wrap the ribbon around the top of the chair back and tie a big bow at the center. 2. Fluff the loops and cut the tails at an angle so they do not fray. 3. Tuck a pine sprig into the knot and pin it from behind if needed.

Mix Every Pattern on the Sofa

Maximalist Christmas decor does not worry about matching. A sofa piled with plaid, brocade, floral and needlepoint style pillows looks cozy and collected, as if it was put together over many happy years. The trick is to keep one thing the same, usually color. If every pillow has some red or green in it, the mix will feel planned instead of messy. Pillow covers are cheap and easy to store, so you can swap them back after the holidays. How many pillows is too many?

You will need: 5 to 7 pillow covers in mixed patterns with a shared color, matching pillow inserts in different sizes, a soft knit throw.

How to make it: 1. Pick one main color and choose covers that all include it. 2. Place the two biggest pillows in the corners, then layer medium and small ones in front. 3. Add one fun shape in the middle and drape a throw over one arm.

Maximalist Christmas Decor on the Staircase

A staircase wrapped in garland from the bottom step to the very top is the dream of every maximalist Christmas decor fan. To get that full look, use two garlands twisted together instead of one. Add battery LED lights so it glows at night without any cords near the steps. Keep the garland on the outside of the rail so hands can still hold it safely. Does your home have stairs that need some love?

You will need: Two faux garlands for every 9 feet of banister, battery LED fairy lights with a timer, zip ties in green, velvet bows, shatterproof ornaments, pinecones.

How to make it: 1. Twist two garlands together and lay them along the outside of the banister. 2. Secure them with zip ties every couple of feet, keeping the handrail clear. 3. Weave in the LED lights, then add bows, ornaments and pinecones along the length.

Ornament Filled Bowls Everywhere

Have ornaments left over after the tree is done? Put them in bowls. A bowl piled high with shiny baubles is one of the simplest ways to spread holiday color into every corner of the house. Mix the ball sizes and add a few pine sprigs for a softer look. Place them on the coffee table, the kitchen island and even a bathroom shelf. Shatterproof balls are the best choice if you have kids or pets. Where would you put your first bowl?

You will need: Two or three bowls or dishes you own, 20 to 30 shatterproof ornaments per bowl in mixed sizes, faux pine sprigs or eucalyptus.

How to make it: 1. Fill the bottom of each bowl with the largest balls. 2. Pile smaller balls on top in a loose mound. 3. Tuck pine sprigs around the edge and turn the shiniest balls to face the room.

Arched Garland Around a Mirror

A big mirror is a gift for maximalist Christmas decor because it doubles everything you put in front of it. Frame it with garland and the whole entry gets brighter and fuller in one step. Dried orange slices bring a warm, homemade touch, and velvet ribbon ties it all to your color scheme. Set a few bottle brush trees on the console below and you have a welcome spot that looks like a fancy hotel lobby. Which mirror in your home would you dress up?

You will need: One or two faux garlands, clear removable hooks, floral wire, dried orange slices, small shatterproof ornaments, velvet ribbon, mini bottle brush trees.

How to make it: 1. Place hooks around the top of the mirror frame and wait for them to set. 2. Bend the garland to follow the curve and rest it on the hooks. 3. Wire in orange slices, ornaments and ribbon, then style small trees on the table below.

A Busy Gallery Wall of Christmas Art

Turn a plain wall into a holiday gallery by swapping your usual art for winter scenes. Snowy villages, pine forests and little red birds all work, and you can find old paintings and prints at thrift stores for a few dollars. Hang a few small wreaths between the frames to tie it all together. Before you hammer a single nail, lay everything on the floor and play with the layout. What scene would you hang first?

You will need: 8 to 12 frames in mixed finishes, winter prints or thrifted paintings, 2 or 3 small wreaths, picture hooks, a hammer, a pencil, paper and painter’s tape.

How to make it: 1. Arrange the frames on the floor until you like the layout. 2. Trace each frame on paper, tape the paper shapes to the wall and adjust. 3. Hang the frames through the paper, tear it away and add small wreaths in the gaps.

A Little Forest of Mini Trees

One tree is lovely, but ten tiny trees on a console table feel like a whole snowy forest. This idea is perfect for small homes where a big tree will not fit. Mix bottle brush trees, flocked trees, a ceramic tree and a few tiny potted pines in different heights. Brass pots and little wooden bases add a warm vintage look. Group the tallest at the back and the shortest at the front, then scatter mini ornaments between them. How many would fit on your table?

You will need: 8 to 12 mini trees in mixed heights and styles, small brass or clay pots, wooden slices or books for risers, mini ornaments, a table runner.

How to make it: 1. Lay a runner on the console and set risers at the back. 2. Place the tallest trees on the risers and the shorter ones in front. 3. Fill the gaps with tiny ornaments and step back to make sure no two trees look the same.

Maximalist Christmas Decor for the Dinner Table

Your Christmas dinner table is the perfect stage for maximalist Christmas decor because people sit and enjoy it for hours. Start with a base layer like a plaid runner, then add a velvet runner on top for depth. Gold chargers under patterned plates make every place setting feel special, and colored goblets add a jewel tone pop. Down the center, lay a lush line of greenery mixed with ornaments. Napkins tied with ribbon finish the look. Who is coming to your table this year?

You will need: A tablecloth, one plaid and one velvet runner, gold charger plates, dinner plates, colored goblets, cloth napkins, ribbon, faux garland and shatterproof ornaments.

How to make it: 1. Lay the plaid runner, then the velvet runner on top slightly narrower. 2. Set a charger, plate, goblet and ribbon tied napkin at each seat. 3. Run garland down the middle and tuck ornaments into it, keeping everything low.

Oversized Picks That Burst Out of the Tree

If your tree still looks a little flat, oversized picks are the answer. These are long decorative stems, like glitter leaf sprays, berry bunches and soft plumes, that stick out past the branches and add drama. Push the stems in at an angle so they spray outward, and repeat each type three or more times around the tree so it looks balanced. Which kind of pick would you choose?

You will need: 15 to 25 oversized picks in two or three styles, wired ribbon loops, wire cutters, gloves to protect your hands from sharp stems.

How to make it: 1. Cut long picks to size with wire cutters and bend the stems slightly. 2. Push each pick deep into the tree at an angle so the tips point outward. 3. Repeat each style in a loose triangle pattern around the tree and finish with ribbon loops.

Maximalist Christmas Decor for Kitchen Shelves

The kitchen is where everyone gathers, so do not leave it out of the fun. Open shelves are the perfect place to show off vintage Christmas dishes, old tins and holiday mugs. Red and white plates look cheerful and classic, and a jar of glass ornaments adds sparkle. Finish with a strip of garland along the shelf edge. Keep everyday items you need within reach on the lower shelves so the kitchen still works. Do you have holiday dishes hiding in a cupboard?

You will need: Holiday plates and mugs, vintage tins, a clear jar, glass or shatterproof ornaments, a small ceramic tree, a thin faux garland, small removable hooks.

How to make it: 1. Clear the shelves and wipe them clean. 2. Stand plates at the back, then add mugs, tins and the jar of ornaments in front. 3. Hang thin garland along the shelf edges with small hooks.

Budget Maximalist Christmas Decor With Thrifted Ornaments

Maximalist Christmas decor does not have to mean spending big. Thrift stores, yard sales and church sales are full of bags and boxes of old ornaments, often for just a few dollars. Mixed sets in faded colors are perfect for maximalist decorating because the whole look is about abundance, not perfection. Sort your haul by color at home, wipe each piece clean and toss anything broken. Then use them to fill bowls, jars, garlands and the back of the tree. What is the best thing you ever found at a thrift store?

You will need: Thrifted ornament sets, a soft cloth, mild soapy water, baskets or bins for sorting, new hooks.

How to make it: 1. Sort your ornaments by color and size on a table. 2. Wipe each one gently with a damp cloth and let it dry. 3. Throw away anything cracked, add fresh hooks and store them in labeled bins ready to use.