As a kid, I can remember hopping in my mom’s car to drive around and look at Christmas lights, and to this day, seeing how others decorate this time of year remains one of my favorite pastimes. Of course, now there’s Instagram, through which we can peek inside people’s decked-out holiday homes, often inspiring additions to our own holiday decor. Although this season is often about tradition, I believe that holiday decor should evolve and allow room for new ideas year after year.
Below, I’m sharing some of the most beautiful holiday decor ideas from around the web that will have you absolutely convinced that you need several trees, mantels, and maybe some extra windows just to feature all of the beautiful ideas you’ve uncovered. Or maybe that’s just me? Keep scrolling for the holiday decor ideas you’ll want to copy ASAP.
1. Place a mirror behind your Christmas tree
The easiest way to take your holiday decor to the next level? Use the power of mirrors to give your Christmas tree extra impact. Leaning a floor-length mirror on the wall adjacent to your tree will reflect all the twinkly lights and ornaments back into the room, essentially doubling its presence. This trick works especially well in small spaces if you want your tree to look bigger and brighter than it really is.
Gleaming Primrose Mirror
Arched Full Length Mirror
2. Get creative with where you hang your stockings
Not everyone has a gorgeous wood-burning fireplace with a mantel on which to hang their stockings. Luckily, there are tons of other ways to display stockings that still feel festive. I personally love this bookshelf idea, but you could also hang them on hooks in the entryway, on a sideboard in your dining room, or on a wall like art.
Cable Knit Christmas Stocking
Fringed Stocking
Metal Tree Stocking Holder
Star Christmas Stocking Holder
3. Bring in miniature trees
If given the opportunity, I’d put several Christmas trees in every room, but since that’s not exactly feasible in most homes, miniature trees are a great way to kick it up a notch without going overboard. Choose pre-lit ones to make it easy, or string them with fairy lights for a subtle glow. Placing the trees in baskets or vases gives them a more polished and elevated look.
LED Balsam Fir Christmas Tree
Artificial Flocked Christmas Tree in Basket
Christmas Tree in Basket
Faux Pine Tree with Terracotta Planter
4. Dress up the tree with velvet ribbon
It can be fun to switch up your Christmas tree design from year to year, but buying new ornaments every holiday season would quickly get very expensive. Instead, grab a few rolls of velvet ribbon and tie some bows directly onto your tree. The bows will look just as pretty as traditional ornaments but cost way less. Bonus: You can reuse any leftover ribbon for wrapping gifts!
Antiqued Frayed Velvet Ribbon
Blue Velvet Fabric Ribbon
Burgundy Velvet Ribbon
Crushed Velvet Ribbons
5. Frame a window or doorway with garland
If you’re going for a full-on winter wonderland vibe for your holiday decor, don’t be shy when it comes to garland. I especially love the look of garland framing a large window or doorway—it’s a great way to play up your home’s existing architecture and make a big statement. You’ll probably need to use a few different strands of garland to pull this look off, but the result is truly stunning.
XL Cedar Christmas Garland
Fresh Western Red Cedar Garland
Faux Pine Garland
Artificial Christmas Garland
6. Line your fireplace with candles
Make your fireplace feel extra festive day and night with this holiday decor idea. Line the firebox with pillar candles (real or faux—either works!) in varying heights, then light them in the evening to fill the room with a soft, candlelit glow. This is a great solution if you have a non-working fireplace or simply want it to look festive even when you’re not having a fire.
Flameless Battery Operated Candles
Pillar Candles Set
7. Keep it simple
This is what my holiday decor would look like if I had any chill during this time of year. If colorful and quirky aren’t your thing, stick to a simple color palette of neutrals with metallic accents for your holiday decor. With just a few well-chosen accessories, you can make your space feel cozy and festive without detracting from your existing decor.
Tree of Life Menorah
Decorative Bottlebrush Tree
Ceramic House LED Tea Light Holder Set
Tree-shaped Table Decoration
8. Add some nostalgia to your tree
Yes, you want your tree to look cohesive with the rest of your holiday decor, but that doesn’t mean it needs to be a perfectly curated display with no personality. Bring in some nostalgia with ornaments that have special meaning to you. Whether they were handmade by your younger self, handed down by a relative, or collected over the years, the assortment will represent you in an extra special way—even if they don’t all match exactly.
Wooden Bead Christmas Tree Garland
Nostalgic Santa Ornaments
Medium Paper Snowflake Ornaments
Ceramic Bulb Christmas Ornaments
9. Add a bit of cheer to the bedroom
If you’re a member of the holiday-decor-in-every-room camp, your bedroom is an easy spot to add some festive cheer. Start with a wreath above your bed, then dress up your nightstand with a few decorative trees. For a more whimsical look, fill a small basket or bowl with ornaments and a strand of twinkle lights to add to the cozy ambience at night.
Oversized Wreath with Velvet Ribbon
Round Mini Christmas Tree Ornaments
Metallic Decorative Lacquer Trees
LED Fairy Lights
10. Opt for an asymmetrical garland
I’ve tried hanging garland on my mantle numerous times and always find that it feels awkward in a way that I can’t quite put my finger on. After combing through tons of inspiration photos, I’ve finally found the answer: an asymmetrical mantel design. This method lets the greenery trail in a way that feels luxe and elegant, and it creates the opportunity to layer in additional accents like a wooden bead garland or a strand of jingle bells.
Faux Norfolk Pine Garland
Faux Spruce and Pinecone Garland
Sumlin Iron Christmas Ornament
Wooden Beaded Garland
11. Make the tree stand a design feature
Never in all my years did I think I would covet a Christmas tree stand, but here we are. This Scandinavian-inspired accent is a design element on its own and lends such a charming and handmade feel to the rest of this living room. With a tree stand this pretty, you don’t even need a tree skirt, which creates a cleaner, more minimalist look.
Red Christmas Tree Stand
White Christmas Tree Stand
