Holiday Living Room Decorating Ideas

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Give your home some festive flair this festive season with our gorgeous Christmas living room decorating ideas.

If you're up for doing up your whole home, you can even get it guest-ready for celebrating your nearest and dearest with even more fab Christmas ideas.

Kelly Collins, interior designer and head of creative at Swyft says, 'It's never too early to start planning for Christmas – and many of us will have already started making arrangements to see family and friends to celebrate the festivities at the end of the year.'

'A report on the state of home hosting in the UK from Swyft, has found that 39% of Brits plan to have guests stay the night in their home this year now that lockdown restrictions have eased- a joy that sadly, many of us were deprived of last year.'

So, from dressing the tree to jazzing up the fireplace, we've found ways to make every corner of your space fun and festive.

Christmas living room decorating ideas

1. Choose luxe Christmas textures

Image credit: La Redoute

A great way to add festive cheer without going completely overboard is to introduce lots of sumptuous textures. Add depth to your living room by adding rich velvets, plush comfy tweed and a super soft rug to warm tootsies up.

2. Mix and match metallics

Image credit: Tesco

'As Christmas was very different for many last year, we can expect shoppers to be a little more extravagant with their decorating in 2021 to make up for lost time.'

Emma predicts. 'An easy way to add a bit of glamour is through metallic touches. Mixing metallics such as yellow gold, silver and rose gold helps create an eye-catching look while adding a sense of luxury by elevating standard decorations.'

'Opposing textures have also been a big trend in 2021, and combining metallic decorations with natural materials, like traditional greenery and faux furs, provides a stunning contrast.'

1. Go for all-white Christmas decor

Image credit: Clare Richardson

An all-white living room can be the perfect gift when it comes to Christmas decorating. Simply add colour, play with a white-on-white palette, or, which has been done here, keep the space monotone and natural.

Take cuttings of ivy from the garden and curl them around mirrors and fire mantels, over pictures and along one or two shelves. Add a festive ambience with scented candles.

Emma Parry, Head of Seasonal Buying at Tesco explains, 'While we've seen a resurgence of nostalgic eye-catching designs and colours, we can also expect white decorations to be popular this year to neutralise the décor.'

'To keep white furnishings and accents from looking flat, bring life to this trend through interesting textures, like sequins or soft fabrics, or pieces inspired by nature, such as faux flowers and trees. Soft furnishings like throws and cushions also help to bring a cosy feel to a room that could otherwise feel quite cool.'

'Create a true winter wonderland by adding height to your interiors with tall statement furnishings and trees covered in white decorations or faux snow, helping to create an enticing and illustrious ice palace feel.'

2. Set up a temporary bar

Image credit: Oak Furnitureland

An elegant sideboard is the perfect spot to serve drinks from, plus it's perfect for tucking away all manner of paraphernalia. Be sure to have a lamp or candles to create a pool of diffused light.

If you've chosen vibrant colours like this aquamarine armchair or a purple rug, add coloured glass or ornaments to echo the tones and create a harmonious finish.

3. Get moody with monochrome decor

Image credit: Chris Everard

The graphic power of black and white is always arresting. White card wreaths and a modern tree keep this festive living room scheme looking minimal and contemporary.

4. Find comfort and joy

Image credit: Dan Duchars

A luxe look in a living room calms the soul, especially when there's a touch of timber to bring it back to the country vibe. Tones inspired by nature help to get the look relaxed and effortless. A black wall, graceful furniture and refined details create a dark and handsome backdrop for select gatherings.

5. Embrace paper crafts for decorating

Image credit: Max Attenborough

Paper crafts are a great way to involve the whole family, by making your own paper decorations. Fun and budget-friendly homemade paper decorations can be used to finish off any Christmas decorating scheme. From tree toppers and stars to jazz up the mantelpiece, to playful honeycomb balls to place around the base while there are no presents. The possibilities with paper are endless. Paper chains, garlands and more, there are plenty of ways to add a homemade touch with paper crafts.

6. Add a pretty touch with pastels

Image credit: Joanna Henderson

Make a style statement by matching your decorating scheme to the colours on the walls. This approach to seasonal decorating allows an understated scheme make a statement, without overpowering the rest of the decor. Pretty pastels are a key trend for Christmas decorating in 2020.

Read more: Christmas tree trends 2020 – the most fashionable ways to dress the tree this year

7. Hang a statement wreath above the fireplace

Image credit: Dominic Blackmore

Wreaths aren't just for the front door, they look wondering over fireplaces or in pride of place on a feature wall. This supersize copper version makes a statement with foliage woven with fairy lights, eucalyptus, dried orange slices and berries. Not only does it look beautiful, but it will make the room smell gorgeous, too.

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8. Decorate the alcoves

Image credit: Tim Young

Anchor the rest of the living room decorations by way of styling the alcoves. Using the shelving either side helps to balance the decorations on the mantelpiece. Embracing the extra space, to add simple decorative touches to tie in the focal Christmas decorations, stops the decorations look at odds with the rest of the room.

You don't need to go OTT with this idea, it's incredible what a difference a few simple lights and hints of foliage can make.

9. Create a curated sideboard Christmas display

Image credit: Dominic Blackmore

Sideboards are the perfect spot to get creative and create a landscape or display. This sideboard has been adorned with house shaped candle holders for a cosy glow, and scattered with a scented candle and dried orange for an extra scent boost.

10. Create a warm welcome with jewel tones

Image credit: Maxwell Attenborough

Accentuate the ambience of a roaring fire by decorating with warm spiced tones and jewel colours. Warming shades of seasonal clove, nutmeg and cinnamon helps to enrich the look and bring a touch of sophistication to your living rooms festive decor. Adding hints of precious metals helps to reflect the colours further.Pairing with vibrant coloured furniture anchors the whole scheme.

Against a fashionable backdrop of brooding dark paint the colours pop all the more.

11. Keep things natural with foraged foliage

Image credit: Dan Duchars

Make the most of a rustic living room by bringing the outside in with branches of fragrant evergreen and pine cones. When choosing where to position your decorations think about where the focus of the living room will be – the tree, fireplace or coffee table – and plan around it. Here the coffee table is the focus of the room, laden with foliage, baubles and a pillar candle.

Why not add a bowl of homemade potpourri? 'Tie bundles of cinnamon sticks and pop them in a bowl with pine cones and a sprinkling of cloves for a festive pot pourri,' Tara King, Style Content Editor at Country Homes and Interiors recommends.

Emma Parry, Head of Seasonal Buying at Tesco adds, 'Garlands and rattan decorations are easy and affordable ways to introduce this trend into the home, as both utilise natural materials and textures.'

'In terms of colour scheme, classic Christmas hues layered together are central to this theme – forest green and berry red evoke scenes of evergreen woodlands synonymous with this time of year.'

12. Give a dark room a golden glow

Image credit: Ti-Media

The tree, candles and cut glass champagne glasses are the only Christmas touches in this room, and while relatively minimal they are more than enough to add a merry look to the space. The tree has been placed in a black streamlined pot to tie in with the dark grey walls. Warm white fairy lights give the tree a soft yellow glow that brings out the golden yellow tones in the cushions on the sofa.

Paper decorations have been layered with glass baubles and silver dipped pine cones to create a tree that is literally dripping in texture. Even the gold and navy wrapping paper has been colour coordinated to compliment the room.

13. Set the scene with a simple centrepiece

Image credit: Polly Eltes

You don't have to make a big show of decorations to make an impact, a simple display on a coffee table can set the scene perfectly. Simple items you may already have on display, such as a hurricane lantern can be made to feel festive with the simple addition of some twinkling lights and a cluster of rustic pine cones. A small tree ornament can be added to the display to cement a truly Christmas vibe.

14. Pair panelling with a traditional colour scheme

Image credit: Simon Whitmore

If you have a traditional living room, perhaps with panelling, complement it with a traditional berry red and green colour scheme. The beauty of this mis-matched traditional decorating style is that you can easily add to your collection of ornaments over the years, layering them together to create an eclectic but elegant tree.

Scatter bunches of eucalyptus and red berries along the mantlepiece. Make the most of a high ceiling by wrapping foliage around a piece of string and hanging it down the wall ready to attach Christmas cards to.

15. Embrace a neutral base with baubles in white and silver

Image credit: Ti-Media

Stay true to your neutral decorating style by going for a paired back look with your decorations that add just the right amount of sparkle. The owners have decorated their tree with statement large baubles, which are set to be a big trend. They have stuck to a silver and white theme so that they complement rather than rally against the living room interior.

The foliage hung over the mantlepiece adds a splash of vibrant green, whilst keeping to the naturally chic theme.

16. Create a festive feature wall

Image credit: David Brittain

This woodland wallpaper is beautiful at any time of year, but teamed with festive mantel decorations and a real tree, it's a stunning Scandi-style backdrop to your Christmas celebrations. With a nod to a more refined Nordic style, this look blends neat furnishings with painted and light-toned woods, wicker and woven textures.

17. Go for glamour

Image credit: Simon Whitmore

The crucial element here is plush texture, so pick a velvet-covered chair, a brocade curtain, a silk cushion… or all three! Furniture should be metal and glass, but if wood works for you, go with dark walnut. You could also paint existing pieces dark grey to make them fit in.

18. Match your decs to your furniture

Image credit: Dominic Blackmore

Mismatched colourful sofas are all the rage right now. If you have them at home, try dressing your tree in the same shades as your upholstery to bring the whole room together. Add votives in these colours, too.

19. Introduce a midas touch

Image credit: Joanna Henderson

Don't be afraid of a little bling! From soft, aged tones to brassy and rich bronze shades, gold adds warmth and elegance. It's a no-brainer at Christmas, but gold can be used as an accent colour all year round to lift and finish a simple room scheme.

20. Add winter warmers

Image credit: Brent Darby

Layer up the cosiness with woollen blankets and cushions for fireside armchairs. Keeping additional throws close to hand in baskets or blanket boxes will allow your guests to snuggle up on sofas, armchairs and window seats without having to ask. Look for Christmassy designs in keeping with your furniture and your tree for a room scheme that looks effortlessly co-ordinated.

Want more Christmas decor inspiration? READ: Christmas decorating ideas to celebrate the season in style

21. Don't forget the holly and the ivy

Image credit: David Brittain

Give your living space the traditional Christmas treatment and opt for a classic red and green colour scheme. A real tree is a must for a modern country home, festooned with deep crimson baubles and folk-inspired paper ornaments. Continue the theme onto the walls with a sage green matt paint and dress with a red berry wreath. Add a few mismatched cushions in winter florals, a cosy scarlet throw and framed prints to finish the décor.

22. Let it glow!

Image credit: Jan Baldwin

Use warm honey-coloured Christmas lights, ornamental candles and firelight to create a deeply rich and cosy scheme. Even a pared-back traditional room will come to life with a festive ambiance when dressed in toffee colours and yellow gold. Black and white baubles add contrast and crispness to the look. Stick to your monochrome and metallic palette when wrapping your presents for the ultimate finishing touch.

Love these Christmas living room ideas? READ: Traditional Christmas decorating ideas for a classic look you'll love

23. Go far out with foliage

Image credit: Paul Raeside

Be bold with fresh foliage to make a big impact in a white modern living room. Stick with evergreens such as eucalyptus and ferns for fragrance and longevity, then go supersize for a playful twist on the traditional festive wreath. The simple colours evoke the snow-topped forests of Scandinavia, working well with the soft grey sofa and faux fur throw. A few festive ornaments finish the look while retaining a laid-back feel.

24. Rock around the Christmas tree

Image credit: Simon Bevan

Christmas decorating doesn't need to feature angels and mistletoe; with a little imagination you can add seasonal cheer to an industrial space and keep your cool credentials. Top your tree with a Sputnik-style ornament and use neon lighting to get an edgy vibe that ties in with the rock and roll references.

Oversized paper decorations in red, white and blue are a fun addition to the scheme and a minimal glass serving dish is filled with chocolate coins as a centrepiece to the coffee table.

25. Make it yourself for a crafty Christmas

Image credit: David Brittain

Get creative and craft rag garlands and card strings to decorate a cosy fireplace. Mix the colours of a countryside Christmas in pine green and holly red along with ditsy florals and traditional tartan in stockings and throws. Carve rosy apples into tea light holders for another shot of red and dress the mantel with cheery cyclamen and eucalyptus.

Related: Budget Christmas decorating ideas for a high-impact, low-cost Christmas

26. Transform an old favourite

Image credit: Paul Raeside

Create a festive focal point by taking over a bookcase with a display of Christmas curiosities. In this modern white living room, alphabet mugs spell out a message to Santa while stags, cats and bird sculptures peep out from behind ornamental trees and deep green glassware.

Magical touches such as the crown and a white owl bring a hint of Narnia to the scheme that will delight children. Finally add shape and texture with a cluster of honeycomb paper spheres in a variety of sizes.

27. Decorate with copper and rose gold

Image credit: Paul Raeside

Tap into the colour trend of the year with rose gold accessories and tree decorations. Create a beautiful focal point at the over mantel mirror with an abundance of long tapered candles in different metallic finishes. A few generous copper baubles will tie the tree in to the whole room's décor and create a harmonious festive feeling without dominating the room.

28. Make more of a mantelpiece

Image credit: Brent Darby

If you're lucky enough to have an open fire in your home, make the most of it at Christmas by stocking up on logs and dressing the mantelpiece with festive ornaments and evergreens. A coal scuttle and log basket are practical fireside essentials but also lend a room a cosy country feel.

29. Keep it simple

Image credit: Jonathan Gooch

Keep decorations simple for a scheme that evokes the style of Christmas past. A floral arrangement in seasonal hues brings good cheer to this traditional living room. All it takes to complete the look is a classic pine garland, a bowl of festive fruits, and some twinkling tea lights. If you're expecting guests, polish up your best tableware and present it on an elegant tray along with a bowlful of sweet treats.

30. Include a drinks station

Image credit: Dan Duchars

For an evening tipple let guests help themselves. Keep spirits and glasses out and mixers stored in baskets. Add chalkboard messages, such as 'let the festivities be-Gin'

Related: Bar ideas for the home – raise a glass to these divine drinks stations

It will give you a break if you are a fan of hosting a festive gathering by allowing everyone to fix their own drinks, and will stem the mass exodus to the kitchen after the first round of drinks has gone down.

How can I decorate my living room for Christmas?

There are so many cheery ways to decorate your living room for Christmas. Your living room is one of the best backdrops for intimate gatherings, and also the perfect place to show off your twinkle adorned Christmas tree.

When it comes to decorating your living room for the festive season, there's no shortage of inspiration.

For instance, you could go all out on tradition and deck the halls and mantels with plenty of fresh festive foliage, red and green tree decorations and lots of gold touches to add a little glimmer to the proceedings.

'Following a year of unpredictability, this Christmas is the perfect time to surround yourself with what you know and love. Classic seasonal colours of red, green and gold are to be prominent as ever, married with bold festive statements and motifs of woodland animals and characters, such as stags and robins, reminding us of Christmases gone by,' Emma Parry, Head of Seasonal Buying at Tesco explains.

'These colours and seasonal animals come back time and time again because they conjure nostalgic feelings of comfort and joy,' Emma suggests.

'Creating warmth with these colours and motifs can be as literal as adding cosy throws and soft cushions, or you can introduce warmth through touches of timeless gold with the likes of detailing on decorations. To me, the theme of nostalgia comes with a 'more is more' approach, so when it comes to decorating the tree, don't hold back!'

 Or why not keep your space merry and bright with a more modern, colourful decorating scheme? Use pops of pink, cerise and mix in silver for a welcome sparkle. This style will look perfect in both modern and period settings.

Jewel tones are always a hit at Christmas time. You could go all out sapphire blue, ruby red or emerald green and pair these hues with gold, brass or copper for a rich, warm welcome for Christmas guests. Just get the fire blazing and some Michael Bublé on the sound system.

How can I make my living room cosy for Christmas?

There are plenty of ways to make your living room feel cosy for Christmas. You could light candles to create ambiance and a joyous mood.

Groupings of large white pillar candles in different heights will look effortlessly stylish and will make a statement. Or you could opt for small tealights dotted around the room to create a more peaceful feel. Scented candles are also a great choice. Choose a scent that is reminiscent of the season like spices like clove and cinnamon, pumpkin, apple or spruce.

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You could switch out your usual throws and cushions in exchange for cosy faux furs, chunky knits and cushions with a sink-in feel to get properly snug. Throw a cosy throw over the arm of your sofa, replace linen and light coloured cushions with velvet, cord and twill in warm tones.

You could also swap your wall art for Christmas themed pieces, warm seasonal colours and maybe update your family photos with your favourite memories from the year to show guests.

Holiday Living Room Decorating Ideas

Source: https://www.idealhome.co.uk/christmas-ideas/christmas-living-room-decorating-ideas-187933

Posted by: standifermustor.blogspot.com

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