Christmas Decorating Ideas

Photographer Tria Giovan

Bold Dining Space

For this Bermuda villa dining space, the designer used the existing asparagus green color on the chairs and drapes and added darker shades of green as accents. A touch of red from holly berries on place settings makes the room feel festive while the shells on the wreath and candlesticks remind us that we’re still on the coast.

Photographer David Hillegas

Ocean-Inspired Sitting Room

The ornaments and metallic branches on the tree pair with the powder blue walls and nautical details throughout to create a beautiful space reminiscent of the sea. For big impact, group a trio of ornaments and tie with 2-inch-wide wired ribbon.

Photographer David Hillegas

Small Holiday Touches

The oyster shell-encrusted fireplace makes a dramatic statement as the focal point of this room. Adding small holiday details like the rope garland with pine branches gives the room a festive feel without taking away from the coastal décor. We also wrapped presents with nautical charts, tied them with ribbon, and finished with a shell ornament to bring together the furniture and colors of the room.

Photographer Jeff Mcnamara

Dazzling White Entryway

Take a faux white tree from tacky to classy with a silver and gold color combo. The metallic ornaments and white lights keep the tree simple but add the right amount of sparkle and shimmer to a rustic-style room.

Photographer Lisa Romerein

Living Room with a View

When your view is this breathtaking, your tree doesn’t need to be over the top. Sparkling white lights and metallic glass balls make this tree pretty but offers subtle shine. In this modern home, the tree complements the living room’s sleek furniture.

Photographer Roger Davies

Red, White, and Blue Christmas

Small nautical touches highlight this pool house’s décor all year, but never more so than at Christmas when homeowner Kari Cusack kicks it up a notch. In keeping with her established style, ship’s wheels, sailboats, and lifeguard-chair ornaments cover a fir tree on the side of the doorway. Tin spruces in red pots decorate the coffee table, and knitted stockings with images of sailboats hang on the ladder accessing the loft.

Photographer Tria Giovan

Chic Dining Room with Sparkle

For a shimmery look that is still sophisticated, decorate with white and silver balls and clean metallic candle tiers. Make a festive centerpiece by placing extra ornaments in planters on your table.

Photographer Tria Giovan

Naturally Accented Sunroom

Using natural accents like this wreaths and pine branch arrangement creates a cohesive look in the light and neutral sunroom.

Photographer Deborah Whitlaw Llewellyn

Elegant Outdoor Room

Placing the Christmas tree near the pool plays up the beach theme with sea-inspired strings of lights, blue and white ornaments, and shiny wrapped gifts that reflect off the water. Instead of hanging yards of white twinkle lights, scatter lanterns to provide a holiday glow.

Photographer Deborah Whitlaw Llewellyn

Bright and Bold Family Room

Seasonal pillows and throws add festive accents to a room that already has punches of red and coral throughout. Bring in more color by wrapping packages in coordinating paper and hanging wreaths with generous lengths of ribbon.

Photographer Deborah Whitlaw Llewellyn

Open-Air Space with a Light Holiday Touch

Homeowner Lila Graham keeps the look of this outdoor living room festive but not fussy or overwhelming. She creates this seasonal transformation by tossing red-and-white outdoor pillows on sofas, hanging a wreath over the fireplace, and displaying poinsettias and cut berries.

Photographer Deborah Whitlaw Llewellyn

Fun in a Formal Dining Room

This space has been reinvented by trimming the chandelier with evergreen sprigs and silver balls hung with red ribbon of varying lengths. Tied with playful gingham, a single floral wreath looks cheerful in the window. Red scarves draped over the chairs add another pop of color to an otherwise neutral room, while a centerpiece of pine needles and sea stars standing in clay pots bridges the gap between the season and the shore.

Photographer Dominique Vorillon

Pops of Pine Needles

Suspended wreaths adorn windows to welcome the season and your holiday guests. A garland of pine needles and berries adds a festive touch balanced by classic simplicity.

Photographer Dominique Vorillon

Statement-Making Centerpiece

This simple flower arrangement of fresh poinsettia blooms turns an everyday dining room into a festive holiday gathering space. It’s an easy decoration that won’t require off-season storage.

Photographer Dominique Vorillon

Decked Out Dock

Placing outdoor Christmas trees on the dock is a fun expression of holiday décor in a costal setting. Decorate the trees with shiny ornaments so the water can reflect their beauty.

Photographer Kindra Clineff

Warm and Inviting Porch

In this Connecticut home, a glowing path of handmade luminaries welcomes guests. A nautical wreath covered in starfish and seashells adorns the front door while lanterns and white lights brighten the porch for an inviting feel.

Photographer Eric Roth

Pretty Pastels

A fir tree decorated with pastels keeps the feminine feel of this room and adds holiday cheer. White stockings with pastel trim brighten the stone fireplace and complement the white, wicker furniture.

Photographer Eric Roth

Cozy Guest Room

A silver tabletop tree, window wreaths, and homemade garland add a festive feel and welcome guests for the holidays.

Photographer Deborah Whitlaw Llewellyn

Nontraditional Color Scheme

Dramatic green, pink, and blue trees embellished with whimsical sea creatures prove a welcome departure from red and green. Bright green feather wreaths and gaily wrapped packages scattered about the room continue the unconventional theme.

Festive Holiday Rooms

Bold Dining Space

Ocean-Inspired Sitting Room

Small Holiday Touches

Dazzling White Entryway

Living Room with a View

Red, White, and Blue Christmas

Chic Dining Room with Sparkle

Naturally Accented Sunroom

Elegant Outdoor Room

Bright and Bold Family Room

Open-Air Space with a Light Holiday Touch

Fun in a Formal Dining Room

Pops of Pine Needles

Statement-Making Centerpiece

Decked Out Dock

Warm and Inviting Porch

Pretty Pastels

Cozy Guest Room

Nontraditional Color Scheme