Holiday Living Decor: How to Make Your Living Room Feel Festive

The living room is where the holidays happen. It’s where the tree goes, where the family gathers, and where the memories are made. The problem is that most people either do the minimum (a tree and nothing else) or overdo it (so many decorations that the room feels cluttered). The right approach is to choose a few quality, festive touches that make the room feel warm and cozy without taking over. This guide covers holiday living decor, what to buy, and what to skip.

Holiday living decor covers the decorations used in living rooms during the holiday season, including trees, garlands, pillows, blankets, candles, and accents. The best living room decor is festive, cozy, and doesn’t take over the room. The worst is too much, too cluttered, or too fragile.

The right holiday living decor makes the room feel warm and festive. Here’s what to buy, what to skip, and how to style it.

Holiday Living Decor by Element

The Tree

The tree is the centerpiece of the living room. It’s the decoration that everyone looks at and that sets the tone for the room.

What to look for:

• A quality tree (real or artificial, in the right size for the room)
• A set of lights (warm white, not cool white)
• A set of ornaments (in a cohesive color scheme, 2 to 3 colors)
• A tree topper (a star, an angel, or a bow)
• A tree skirt (in a quality material)
• A set of ribbon or garland (for the tree)

What to skip:

• A tree that’s too big for the room (it overwhelms the space)
• A tree that’s too small (it gets lost)
• Too many ornaments (it looks cluttered)
• Ornaments in too many colors (it looks chaotic)

Price range: $50 to $300.

The Mantel

The mantel is the second focal point of the living room. It’s the place where you can add a lot of festive touches.

What to use:

• A garland of fresh greenery (cedar, pine, or fir)
• A set of stockings (in a cohesive style)
• A set of candles (in varying heights)
• A set of lanterns (with candles inside)
• A few ornaments (in a bowl or scattered)
• A set of fairy lights (along the mantel)

What to skip:

• A mantel that’s too cluttered (too many items)
• A garland that’s too thick (it overpowers the mantel)
• Stockings that are too big (they take over the mantel)

Price range: $20 to $100.

The Pillows and Throws

Pillows and throws are the easiest way to make a living room feel festive. They’re the items that add color and warmth.

What to use:

• A set of holiday pillows (in a festive color or pattern, 2 to 4 pillows)
• A quality throw blanket (in a warm material, like chunky knit or faux fur)
• A set of pillow covers (in a festive design, to slip over existing pillows)

What to skip:

• Too many pillows (it looks cluttered)
• Pillows that are too big (they take over the couch)
• A throw that’s too thin (it looks cheap)

Price range: $15 to $60.

The Candles and Scents

Candles and scents are the items that make a living room smell like the holidays. They’re the touches that make the room feel warm.

What to use:

• A quality candle (in a holiday scent, like balsam fir, cinnamon, or vanilla)
• A good diffuser and essential oils (in a holiday scent)
• A set of flameless candles (for safety, in varying heights)
• A wax warmer (with holiday-scented wax)

What to skip:

• A candle that’s too strong (it overwhelms the room)
• A candle that’s too cheap (it doesn’t smell good)
• Too many candles (it’s too much)

Price range: $10 to $40.

The Garland and Greenery

Garland and greenery are the natural elements that make a living room feel festive. They’re the branches that bring the outside in.

What to use:

• A garland of fresh greenery (on the mantel, on the staircase, or on a shelf)
• A few sprigs of greenery (in a vase, on a table, or on a shelf)
• A wreath (on the door, on a wall, or on a shelf)
• A set of mini trees (on a shelf, on a table, or on the floor)

What to skip:

• Too much greenery (it takes over the room)
• Greenery that sheds too much (it makes a mess)
• Greenery that’s too dry (it’s a fire hazard)

Price range: $10 to $50.

The Accents

Accents are the small, festive touches that fill in the gaps. They’re the items that make the room feel polished.

What to use:

• A set of ornaments in a bowl (in your color scheme)
• A set of mini trees (on a shelf or a table)
• A set of holiday figurines (if there’s space)
• A string of fairy lights (along a shelf or a window)
• A set of holiday books (on a coffee table)
• A set of holiday mugs (on a shelf or a table)

What to skip:

• Too many accents (it looks cluttered)
• Accents that are too big (they take over the room)
• Accents that are too fragile (they break)

Price range: $10 to $40.

How to Decorate a Living Room for the Holidays

Step 1: Start with the Tree

Choose a tree that’s the right size for the room. Add lights, ornaments, a topper, and a skirt.

Step 2: Decorate the Mantel

Add a garland, stockings, candles, and a few accents.

Step 3: Add Pillows and Throws

Swap out everyday pillows and throws for holiday versions. Or use pillow covers to slip over existing pillows.

Step 4: Add Candles and Scents

Place a few candles and a diffuser in the room. Choose warm, holiday scents.

Step 5: Add Garland and Greenery

Add a garland on the mantel, on the staircase, or on a shelf. Add a few sprigs of greenery in vases.

Step 6: Add Accents

Place a few accents (ornaments in a bowl, mini trees, fairy lights) on shelves and tables.

What to Skip Entirely

Too many decorations. A room that’s covered in decorations feels cluttered. Choose a few quality items.

Decorations that are too big. A giant tree, a thick garland, or oversized pillows take over the room. Choose the right size.

Decorations that are too fragile. Items that break easily are a hassle, especially with kids and pets. Choose durable decorations.

Decorations that are too messy. Greenery that sheds, candles that drip, or items that tip over are a hassle. Choose clean, stable decorations.

Decorations that don’t match. A room with 5 or more colors feels chaotic. Choose 2 to 3 colors.

Decorations that are too cheap. Thin, flimsy decorations look cheap. Choose quality.

FAQ

How do I decorate my living room for the holidays? Start with the tree (the right size, with lights, ornaments, a topper, and a skirt). Decorate the mantel (garland, stockings, candles). Add holiday pillows and throws. Add candles and scents. Add garland and greenery. Add accents (ornaments in a bowl, mini trees, fairy lights).

What are the best holiday living decor ideas? The best ideas are a quality tree ($50 to $300), a garland on the mantel ($20 to $50), holiday pillows and throws ($15 to $60), a quality candle in a holiday scent ($10 to $40), a garland of fresh greenery ($10 to $50), a set of ornaments in a bowl ($10 to $30), and a string of fairy lights ($5 to $15).

What should I avoid when decorating my living room for the holidays? Avoid too many decorations (it feels cluttered), decorations that are too big, decorations that are too fragile, decorations that are too messy, decorations that don’t match (choose 2 to 3 colors), and decorations that are too cheap.

How much does it cost to decorate a living room for the holidays? A tree costs $50 to $300. Mantel decor costs $20 to $100. Pillows and throws cost $15 to $60. Candles and scents cost $10 to $40. Garland and greenery cost $10 to $50. Accents cost $10 to $40. You can decorate a living room for $100 to $500.

What color scheme is best for holiday living decor? Good color schemes include classic (red, green, white), warm (red, gold, cream), elegant (white, gold, silver), natural (green, brown, cream), and modern (white, silver, blue). Choose 2 to 3 colors and use them throughout the room.

How do I make my living room feel cozy for the holidays? Add a quality throw blanket (chunky knit or faux fur), a set of holiday pillows, a quality candle in a warm scent (balsam fir, cinnamon, or vanilla), a set of flameless candles, and a string of fairy lights. These items add warmth and coziness.

Can I use everyday decor with holiday decor? Yes, you don’t need to replace everything. Add holiday pillows (or use pillow covers), a holiday throw, a candle, a garland, and a few accents. Keep your everyday furniture and rugs. The holiday items should complement, not replace, your everyday decor.

References

• Martha Stewart. “Living Room Holiday Decor.” https://www.marthastewart.com/275266/living-room-holiday-decor
• The Spruce. “Living Room Holiday Decor.” https://www.thespruce.com/living-room-holiday-decor-4142248
• Better Homes and Gardens. “Holiday Living Room.” https://www.bhg.com/christmas/decor/living-room/