22 Beautiful Ways to Decorate Your Living Room for Christmas

Collage of four Christmas living rooms with decorated trees and garland-draped fireplace mantels

‘Tis the season to pull out your treasured holiday decorations and transform your living room into a Christmas winter wonderland. Year after year, collected family treasures bring warm memories as you pull them out of your storage containers. You may wish to layer in some new holiday decor, mixing old with new is the best way to keep up with the new trends.

You can also DIY your holiday ornaments, whether that means hanging pinecones with ribbon, spray painting ornaments, snipping craft paper snowflakes, or creating your own garland, the possibilities are endless. The living room is the best spot to begin your holiday decorations, as it is typically the most popular place in your home to place your Christmas tree.

Where to Start Decorating Your Christmas Living Room

You may wish to begin your holiday decorating with your tree, especially if it is a faux tree. A color scheme will help to set the tone for the rest of the space. Some decorators like to begin with a Christmas sign or a favorite holiday accessory to use as inspiration for the rest of the space. If you have a fireplace, it can be a wonderful focal point, decorating it with Christmas garland, stockings, and bells. For more inspiration, browse these stunning Christmas mantel decor ideas.

Don’t forget to layer in some festive and warm accessories such as throws, pillows, blankets, and other personalized touches that will add to your overall decorating theme. Continue below to see some fabulous ideas on how to transform your living room, including further resources and a link to the Instagram accounts for further tutorials on how to get started. So grab your favorite warm beverage and get ready to be inspired!

Tell Us: Which one of these Christmas living room decorating ideas do you find most inspiring? Let us know in the Comments below!

1. Flocked Christmas Tree

Flocked Christmas tree with white and gold ornaments, brown velvet bows and brass bells beside black reindeer on a round coffee table

This beautiful living room features a flocked 8-foot @kingofchristmas tree. To decorate this tree, start with beads, then ribbon, then stems, and ornaments last. About 2 1/2 rolls of white mesh ribbon bubble throughout the tree. The reindeer on the coffee table is from @potterybarn. Grounding this space, the area rug is from @boutiquerugs. (via @blessed_ranch)

2. Winter Glow

Dark wood-paneled living room with a black fireplace, arched brass mirror, gold lanterns, garland, stockings and a lit twig tree

This stunning living room features the twinkle of candlelight and pre-lit decor for a magical ambiance. To get a simple yet elegant look this Christmas, decorate your fireplace with garland, stockings, candles, and lanterns accented with a large pre-lit tree — all sourced from Pottery Barn. (via @potterybarn)

3. Cozy Living Room

Red and white Christmas living room with flocked trees, red lanterns on the built-ins and pillar candles glowing in the fireplace

This warm and inviting living room has a wonderful wintery feel with its red and white color scheme. This space features flocked Christmas trees from @fraserhillfarm. The hand-knit blanket is from @nuzzieco. A flocked garland, large bells, and stockings drape the fireplace mantel, all from @vhc_brands. The stack of candles inside the fireplace casts a magical glow, sourced from @lamp.lust. (via @drivewaytodreams_crystal)

4. Classic Red & White Christmas

White fireplace with a red poinsettia garland and flocked wreath beside a flocked tree with red and white ornaments and berry picks

This gorgeous red and white color scheme features a flocked tree from Lowes adorned with red and white ornaments and frosted berry picks heavily layered at the top of the tree and tucked into branches all the way down the tree. Above the mantel, a flocked wreath matches the decoration of the tree. A poinsettia garland decorates the fireplace mantel along with stockings, small trees, and reindeer. (via Pinterest)

5. Merry & Bright

Stone fireplace with red personalized stockings and garland beside a green Christmas tree with red ornaments and twinkle lights

This beautiful Christmas-decorated living room has a classic red, white, and green theme that is warm and cozy. Twinkle lights help to bring a magical glow to this space. The garland adorning the fireplace mantel is from Hobby Lobby. On the hearth, the basket is filled with greenery, white frosted tree twigs, some holly berries, and battery-operated wire lights for a magical glow. (via @wowilovethat)

6. Christmas Magic

Christmas mantel with a Believe sign and white stockings beside a flocked tree with red ribbon, candy canes and silver ornaments

The Believe sign inspired the decor for this room, layered atop the fireplace mantel. A beautiful garland, silver trees, and candles from @homegoods add to the beautiful aesthetic. The “Believe” sign and tree star are from @krumpetshomedecor. The arched mirror on the mantel provides a backdrop for the holiday decor, sourced from @kirklands. The stockings are from @potterybarn. In the corner, a large flocked tree is decked out with red, white, and silver ornaments, wooden candy canes, and beautiful ribbons. (via @nissalynninteriors)

7. Lights All Aglow

Living room with a red and white ribbon Christmas tree, Santa Believe sign and garland framing a candlelit dining table

Beautiful Christmas trees from @walmart illuminate this warm and inviting living room. The “Believe in the Magic of Christmas” sign is from @thegrayhousedesignco. The Santa sign inspired the design scheme of this space — red with pops of pink. The mirror layered behind the sign is from @target. For the Santa list on the dining table, simply hand-write the names on white craft paper with a Sharpie marker. (via @cherished_treasures_)

8. May Your Days be Merry and Bright

Stone fireplace with a Merry and Bright sign, lit garland, lighted houses and buffalo plaid stockings beside a flocked tree

Garlands, string lights, and a flocked Christmas tree deck out this cozy and cheerful space. Add layers of texture with pillows and throws. Target carries lighted houses similar to the ones on the fireplace mantel. A roaring fire brings warmth on a cold winter’s day and adds to the magic of this beautiful space. (via @dining_delight)

9. Oh Christmas Tree

Christmas tree decorated with green tartan plaid ribbon, blue and gold ornaments, brass bells and oversized pinecones

The theme for this Christmas tree is blue, green, gold, and tartan plaid. Creating a beautiful tree begins with the ribbon. Adding ribbon to your tree makes it look elegant while adding loads of texture. The width of the ribbon is 2.5 inches. Get the video tutorial at the provided link on how to put this tree together. (via @lifebyleanna)

10. A Merry Rustic Christmas

Rustic fireplace with a cedar garland, white and striped name stockings and a pair of black deer figurines on the coffee table

This magical and beautiful living room is adorned with fresh holiday evergreens on the fireplace mantel. Cozy knit stockings with name tags hang from the mantel, adding color and texture. The pair of deer on the coffee table is from @jcpenney. (via @hipandhumblestyle)

11. ‘Tis the Season

Christmas mantel with a 'Tis the Season sign and red sled beside a flocked tree with red gingham ribbon in a wicker tree collar

This Christmas-decorated living room has a welcoming, cozy vibe with rustic Christmas elements and a joyful feel. On the fireplace mantel, the asymmetrical garland style brings a beautiful focal point to this space. For the garland, a strand of cedar-looking greenery from Pier 1, is layered with several other branches of Christmas greens/berries poked into the corner. Inspiring the decor of this space, the “Tis The Season” sign is from @krumpetshomedecor. Layered behind the sign is an antique 6-pane window plaque from @kirklands. The tree collar is from @target, while the flocked Christmas tree is from @kingofchristmas. (via @simple.joy.at.home)

12. Beginning To Look A Lot Like Christmas

Frame TV showing a snowy cabin above a garland mantel with knit stockings, beside a lit Christmas tree and wooden rocking horse

This living room is magical, nostalgic, and gorgeous. On the wall above the fireplace mantel is a @samsungus Frame TV to display your favorite Christmas artwork, like this wintry cabin in the woods. The Christmas tree was sourced from @kingofchristmas, while the rocking horse and Santa mug are from @anthropologie. The “Peace on Earth” accent pillow is from @nestofpetals. Underneath the gorgeous garland, are stockings with charming stocking tags sourced from @simplyinspireddesignco. (via @velveteenandgrace)

13. Home for the Holidays Christmas Tree

Christmas tree with white and silver ornaments in a wicker basket beside a mantel with garland, white knit stockings and a Merry Little Christmas sign

The Christmas tree is an 8′ King Noble Fir with 600 Warm White LED Lights from @kingofchristmas. The tree collar is from Target. Two different types of garland from Hobby Lobby layer across the mantel, and cypress stems from Hobby Lobby fill it out. (via @simplyinspireddesignco)

14. Darling Holiday Mantel

Christmas mantel with an asymmetrical cedar garland, gold jingle bells and ribbon, and faux fur stockings with wooden name tags

This beautiful setup features gold bells, shiny ribbon, and wood stocking tags by @simplyinspireddesignco. The asymmetrical designed 60” cedar garland is from @nearlynaturalfloral. The stocking hooks, battery-operated twinkle lights, brass candlesticks, and wood holders are from Target. (via @blessed_ranch)

15. A Cozy Rustic Vibe

Patterned tile fireplace with garland, neutral stockings and a Twas the Night Before Christmas sign beside a slim Christmas tree

Close-up of neutral faux fur stockings with name tags hanging below a pine cone garland with brass bells

In this cozy living room, the stockings from @potterybarn were hung by the chimney with care. Two 6-foot Bristlecone Garlands drape over the fireplace mantle and were sourced from @homestead.city.dwelling. Accenting the garland, the bells are from @kirklands. The small decorated tree is from @michaelsstores. (via @homestead.city.dwelling)

16. The Red Sled

Red sled with vintage ice skates beside a flocked Christmas tree wrapped in Merry Christmas ribbon and red poinsettias

A vintage sled with a pair of skates sets the tone for this living room design scheme. A burlap “Merry Christmas” ribbon, red and white ornaments, and white poinsettia and berry picks adorn a beautiful flocked tree. On the fireplace mantel, multi-colored bottle brush trees and puff white pom pom garland provides the finishing touches to this cozy space. (via @jodie.thedesigntwins)

17. Joyful Christmas Tree

Flocked Christmas tree with red, gold and silver ornaments and striped ribbon behind white chairs with red holiday pillows

This stunning Christmas tree features a color scheme of red, white, gold, and silver. To create this tree, the ribbon is the first decoration that gets threaded through the branches. Layer in the multi-hued ornaments and cranberry picks. Cozy red accent pillows contrast beautifully with the white chairs and textured throws. (via @homehydrangea)

18. Magical Christmas Tree

Gray shiplap fireplace wall with a garland and brass bells beside a lit Christmas tree in a woven basket

This gorgeous 9-foot Fraser fir Christmas tree is from @balsamhill. TIP: If your tree collar does not fit around the stand, cut it in the back where it cannot be seen. The Samsung Frame TV features art from @collectionprints. The “Christmas Nest” candle on the coffee table has a festive and light fragrance of pines and red currant, sourced from @hiveandhomeshop. (via @thedailynest)

19. Christmas Living Room

Christmas living room with a pine cone garland, white knit stockings and brass candlesticks beside a tree with gold and white ornaments

This inviting space features a beautifully decorated fireplace mantel with an asymmetrical garland from @figandcompany. Command Hooks hold the white knit stockings, while candlesticks add a magical ambiance when the lights go down. For the Christmas tree, decorate in layers, beginning with the berry stems, pine cone stems, wood beads, large ornaments, snowflakes, and then the small ornaments. When finished, layer in some more pine cones. (via @ourwintonhome)

20. Whimsical Color Scheme

Christmas tree with white ornaments and ribbon in a woven basket reflected in an ornate gold floor mirror

This cozy living room offers a wonderful glow and an abundance of warmth. The Christmas tree is from @balsamhill, while the tree collar is from Hearth and Hand from @target. The decorations on the tree are from @worldmarket. A large floor mirror from @anthropologie provides a beautiful backdrop to this magical space. Grounding this space, the area rug is from @rugs_usa. (via @patina_pine)

21. A Winter Wonderland

Flocked Christmas tree with bronze and cream ornaments beside a built-in topped with gold bells, garland and knit stockings

This flocked queen from @kingofchristmas features a magical mix of black, bronze, brass, silver, and cream ornaments along with a little brown velvet ribbon. You can find the bells, stockings, and garlands at TJMaxx, Wayfair, and Marshalls. Similar bells are the Hanging Harmony Giant Cow Bells found on Amazon. On the wall, the Samsung Frame TV shows a beautiful wintry forest scene. (via @jensgatheringnest)

22. Traditional Christmas Red

Merry Christmas sign above a lit garland mantel with silver bells on gingham ribbons, a vintage sled and a buffalo check pillow

A Christmas decor scheme of red, white, and hints of green decorates this cozy living room. The “Merry Christmas” sign is from @olivebranchfarmhouse. Garland with string lights and illuminated ceramic Christmas village houses frame the mantel, while large silver bells hang at varying heights with red and white ribbons. (via @wmdesignhouse)

Christmas Living Room Decorating Tips

A few lessons from the rooms above to help you deck your own halls

Start with a color palette. Choose two or three colors, like classic red and white or soft neutrals with brass, and let them guide every decoration that follows.
Decorate your tree in layers. Weave in ribbon first, then add picks and stems, then large ornaments, and finish with the smaller ones to fill any gaps.
Try an asymmetrical garland. Letting one side of your mantel garland cascade lower than the other feels relaxed and natural, and it draws the eye across the fireplace.
Layer on the texture. Chunky knit throws, faux fur pillows and a plaid blanket or two make a room feel instantly cozier.
Light at every level. Mix string lights, candles, lanterns and lighted village houses at different heights for a warm, magical glow after dark.
Finish the base of the tree. A woven basket or metal tree collar hides the stand and gives your tree a polished, grounded look.
Let one piece inspire the room. A favorite sign, a vintage sled or a cherished ornament can set the theme for everything around it.