Midwest Living Christmas Decorating Ideas

green christmas tree décor velvet chair garland

Credit: Adam Albright

Don't stop at the Christmas tree—extend your Christmas decorations through the whole living room. These Christmas decorating ideas will have your space overflowing with cheer, whatever your decorating style.

Eclectic Christmas Decor

eclectic, vintage living room with chalkboard art above mantel

Credit: David A. Land

Design blogger Kelly Elko's living room has an eclectic feel with a bold blue velvet sofa, outdoor rattan chair, and midcentury take on a wing-back chair. With so many red accessories establishing the room's seasonal cheer, Kelly opted for white ornaments on the tree. "I put our family ornaments in a big bowl so we could still look through them," she says.

Green Plaid Living Room

green christmas tree décor velvet chair garland

Credit: Adam Albright

Inspired by Charm blogger Michael Wurm Jr. chooses a new theme for his living room each year. No matter the motif, he stuffs his Christmas tree with ribbons, baubles, and favorite ornaments. His living room shimmers with emerald and metallics—from the simple gold wreaths ($69, Etsy) on the mantel to the buffalo check wrapped gifts under the tree.

Farmhouse Christmas Living Room

Fireplace with stockings and Christmas tree

Credit: Adam Albright Photography Inc

This living room's Christmas tree shows off many distinctive decorating elements such as pomegranates, lamb's ear, and eucalyptus garlands. Neutral details like wood pillar candles, simple stockings, and butcher paper-wrapped gifts blend seamlessly with the classic red and green tree.

Simple Christmas Living Room

Christmas tree next to white sofa with gifts

Credit: Jay Wilde

White furnishings and a neutral rug provide a clean palette for these classic green Christmas living room decorations. A sparse tree showcases a chunky braided garland ($20, Etsy) and colorful ball ornaments. Complete the look with a pile of wrapped gifts in coordinating patterns.

Bold Christmas Living Room

red gold holiday tree decorated fireplace

Credit: Adam Albright

This Christmas living room commands attention! An oversize holiday sign draws the eye to a collection of small houses peeking out above a lush garland with eucalyptus, pinecones, and small berries. To complete the Christmas mantel, faux fur stockings are labeled with wooden tags.

Silver and Gold Living Room

white gold livingroom holiday decor

Credit: Jay Wilde

A soft flocked Christmas tree anchors this luxe holiday living room. Enhance it with faux flower blooms, ribbons, and loads of ornaments. Gift boxes, rather than paper wrappings, coordinate with the decor's color scheme. Add a dash of glamour with an embellished wreath and velvet stockings ($18, Target).

Use Traditional Elements for a Classic Look

Living room with large Christmas tree and fireplace

Credit: Michael Partenio

Christmas living rooms don't need to be a total redesign. Strong red plaids and natural greens combine with existing woodsy elements to create a cozy cabin look. Faux fur blankets and a roaring fire make the room warm and inviting.

Let Bold Decor Dictate

Living room with Christmas tree and blue cabinet

Credit: Michael Partenio

If you have bold accents in your living room, let them shine year-round with coordinating holiday decor. The bright blue credenza serves as the perfect starting point for a fun and festive color scheme. Light blue, hot pink, lime green, and bright white ornaments are ideal accents throughout this cozy Christmas living room.

Utilize Vintage Finds

Living room with two couches and garland

Credit: Adam Albright

If you yearn for the feel of Christmases past, draw inspiration from vintage Christmas decorations. Burlap, subtle red accents, and live greens perfectly accent paint-chipped furniture and old glass ornaments. Cut evergreen adds to the classic Christmas look.

Metallic Christmas Living Room

Living room with fireplace and Christmas tree

Credit: Jay Wilde

For a look that's festive but calm, try an array of metallic decorations. A great option for neutral homes—your year-round decor will look like it was handpicked for your Christmas living room.

Keep It Simple and Playful

Sitting area with TV, toys, and Christmas tree

Credit: Brie Williams

Spread holiday cheer with Christmas home decor to more than just your main living room. Try dressing up a second living space or playroom. Let the kids add handmade ornaments to a tree that's the perfect height. Fun and easy crafts, like our cardboard Christmas trees, make the room playful and kid-friendly.

Choose Decorations That are Warm and Bright

Living room corner with Christmas tree and plate décor

Credit: Brie Williams

Layers of texture in this Christmas living room make you want to stay a while. White plates and platters on the wall function well as an accent during the holidays but are also a great focal point year-round. Pom-pom garland and classic snowflake ornaments unite the tree with the room's decor.

Add Unique Mantel Details

Fireplace with Christmas tree and "Love" spelled above mantle

Credit: John Bessler

Upgrade your wreath game in a major way. Shape artificial garland to spell out a sweet sentiment and hang above a fireplace or bookshelf. Add some pops of red to your living room Christmas decor and you'll have a look that's both classic and unique.

Go with Bright Colors

Front door with Christmas tree and décor

Credit: Jeff Herr Photography, Inc.

Give traditional colors a break and use the rainbow to inspire your cozy Christmas living room decorations. Bright blue, pink, green, and gold ornaments hang from the tree, giving new meaning to the term "merry and bright." Wrap presents in brightly colored wrapping paper and hang a colorful beaded garland ($18, Etsy) from the windows to round out the eclectic decorating scheme.

Hang a Unique Wreath

Fireplace with chair and Christmas tree

Credit: Michael Partenio

Give your Christmas decorations an upgrade with a nontraditional wreath. Fill a wicker basket with freshly clipped evergreen boughs and berried twigs from the backyard, and hang it above the fireplace. Tie the decor together with more greenery on your mantel or in a vase. Already have something over your mantel? Use this idea for a unique Christmas door decoration.

Use Rustic Elements

Living room with Christmas tree and wreaths

Credit: Ray Kachatorian

Create a rustic holiday living room with simple, natural accouterments like grain-sack stockings, olive leaf wreaths ($48, Wayfair), and pops of French blue in the pillows, on the mantel, and throughout the Christmas ornaments. For an easy furniture transformation, cover your sofa and chairs with linen sheets—tres chic!

Colorful Christmas Tree

Living room with fireplace, Christmas tree, and large artwork

Credit: Robert Brinson

A colorful Christmas tree demands attention, so keep the rest of your decor low-key, especially in a small space. We love the way silver and green elements on the mantel give this room an elegant feel, while birch logs add a touch of country comfort.

Blue and Silver Living Room

Living room with white Christmas tree and fireplace

Credit: King Au

Dress up your living room with sparkling Christmas decorations. Vases filled with ornaments and a blue beaded swag shimmer on the mantel, while a frosted Christmas tree glimmers with white lights and icy blue and silver accent ornaments.

Brighten the Room with Citrus Colors

Living room with Christmas tree and large wreath

Credit: Barbara Elliott Martin

If your living room boasts furniture with retro appeal, you're halfway to this simply groovy living room. A pretty, warm color scheme and playful accents like paper Christmas ornaments, polka dots, and a party-ready bar create a funky, vintage Christmas decoration atmosphere.

Christmas-Theme Artwork

Living room with Christmas tree and Santa picture

Credit: Kate Sears

The Christmas tree is often the focal point of the living room, but remember to spread a little cheer throughout the room. If you're wondering how to decorate a small living room for Christmas, look to the walls. Replace everyday artwork with Yuletide-theme images, such as the framed vintage poster shown here.

Utilize a Small Space

Small Christmas tree on top of sled with gifts

Credit: Ray Kachatorian

A small-space holiday arrangement can set the stage for your entire living room, and it's a great way to show off your favorite vintage Christmas decorations. Display cards on an antique shutter or door, and add height to a teeny Christmas tree with an old toboggan.

Add Tradition-Inspired Pieces

Living room with gifts in fireplace and stockings

Credit: Jeff Herr

Tall socks create cozy stockings, and a stack of vintage suitcases ($22, Target) invite Santa to come on down. Candles and poinsettias on the coffee table maintain the classic feel of this Christmas decor. A burlap table runner sets the rustic coffee table scene.

Neutral Christmas Decor

Living room with Christmas tree in front of window

Credit: Dana Gallagher

A traditional living room is the perfect setting for Dickens-era Christmas decorations. The crisp chocolate-and-white color scheme keeps all eyes on the tree in this stately living room, while fun touches like a pom-pom garland and candy tray add hints of Christmas mischief.

Christmas Greenery

Living room with blue curtains and Christmas décor

Credit: Kip Dawkins

An arrangement of greenery will add warmth to your Christmas decorating scheme. A stunning wreath can hang easily from a mirror, and little dishes filled with evergreen twigs and pinecones add cozy, natural details that are so easy to put together.

Nontraditional Christmas Decorations

Living room with geometric patterns and tall Christmas trees

Credit: Helen Norman

Inspire awe with an outside-the-box Christmas living room. Display fruits and plants on the coffee table. Instead of a traditional tree, use small potted evergreens as festive bookends to a fireplace.

Try a Unique Color Scheme

Small white Christmas trees next to couch

Credit: John Reed Forsman

Punch up traditional red and green with pops of fuchsia. Introduce the color in small doses: a throw on the couch, ribbon on a wreath, trim around a lampshade, or even gift wrap on the packages. Here, white tabletop Christmas trees are decked all in pink to bring the color center stage.

Play Up Colors in Your Home

Christmas tree next to fireplace with stockings

Credit: Michael Garland

Use the existing color scheme in your living room to inspire your holiday decorations. Wide gold ribbon wrapped around the Christmas tree ties into the golden walls to create an earthy but elegant look. Off-white stockings match the fireplace and the silvery ornaments on the tree.

Utilize Existing Shelf Space

Christmas tree next to window

Credit: Kim Cornelison

Clear your display shelves and replace everyday elements with wrapped gifts. It will save you some room under the tree and add height to your Christmas decorations. For a consistent look, decorate the tree and the gifts in a similar color scheme.

Create a Kid-Friendly Room

Living room with striped chairs and small Christmas trees

Credit: Miki Duisterhof

Make a winter wonderland with candy store inspiration and miniature Christmas trees. Fill jars with classic holiday favorites, like peppermint sticks and ribbon candy. Bring in the colors of the existing decor with a colorful tray to hold the candy containers.

Use a Simple Color Scheme

Fireplace with logs and Christmas décor

Credit: Jay Wilde

A classic white living room can be holiday-ready with just a few cozy accents and pops of red. Crafty trees on the mantel and birch logs in the fireplace set a whimsical stage for bright red stockings and accent pillows. A wood bead garland (from $36, Etsy) and felt pillows complete the Christmas color scheme.

Add Cheer Without a Mantel

Fireplace with large wreath and red trees

Credit: Michael Partenio

The fireplace is the central point of many living rooms. Have a fireplace but no mantel? Lush accessories like an oversize wreath and berry-covered cone trees will add a dose of Christmas cozy to your modern fireplace.

Choose a Smaller Tree

Christmas tree between two windows with gifts

Credit: Anthony Masterson Photography

A tiny tree can have just as much Christmas spirit as a full-size tree with the help of a height-boosting planter and a bold color scheme. Let the tree's colors dictate the rest of your Christmas decorations for an allover look.

Make Everything Glow

Living room with Christmas tree in corner next to fireplace

Credit: Tria Giovan

The sparkling gold Christmas ornaments and shimmering gold garland make this living room glow in the natural afternoon light. At night, the fireplace creates a scene of dancing lights. Bringing in existing colors of the room (like gold and white) makes this room have a cohesive look.

Decorate with Antiques

Living room with Christmas tree and decorated mantle

Credit: Kip Dawkins

Antiques can bring personality and history to your handmade Christmas decorations. This living room features ornate candle sconces above the fireplace, five generations of ornaments on the Christmas tree, and a weathered but beautiful trunk. Putting old-fashioned ribbon candy on display finishes the antique Christmas look.

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