Christmas Decorating Ideas For The Whole House

Poinsettias and Christmas décor with cat

Credit: Marty Baldwin

Have fun decorating the whole house this Christmas. Our tips will help you take it one room at a time. We'll show you how to tackle Christmas decorations in the main rooms, as well as how to dress up forgotten areas, such as the hallway or bathroom.

Family Room: Use Antiques and Family Heirlooms

eclectic, vintage living room with chalkboard art above mantel

Credit: David A. Land

Keep the Christmas decorations in your family room cozy and casual so it still feels like a place to relax. Sweet red-and-white stockings line the mantel, and a fun picture above fireplace welcomes you-know-who down the chimney. For your Christmas tree decorations in the family room, think more cute crafts than family heirlooms.

Entry: Welcome Holiday Guests with Pretty Poinsettias

Poinsettias on top of wrapped gifts

Credit: Marty Baldwin

Add holiday cheer to your entry with colorful poinsettias! Simply place the purchased plants in neutral wooden crates and stack them on wrapped boxes. Finish this Christmas decoration idea with simple ball ornaments.

Editor's Tip: This dramatic Christmas entry also features items that could easily last beyond the season, such as the plaid throw blanket and woven rug.

Porch: Create a Gorgeous Front Door

modern farmhouse Christmas porch with birch and vintage elements

Credit: Jay Wilde

Charm guests at the entrance with this farmhouse Christmas front porch. Choose a coordinating color scheme like the gray, black, and white here. A simple buffalo check pattern ties the whole look together. Create a DIY Christmas wreath by embroidering a snowflake onto a vintage flour sifter with white embroidery thread.

Dining Room: Add Drama with Christmas Trees

modern Christmas dining room with pendant lights, trees and graphic walls

Credit: David A. Land

As party central for most of the holidays, your dining room deserves some glamour. Dangle evergreen wreaths from your chairs and add two decorated Christmas trees to create a lush look. Then, use metallic place settings to add sparkle.

Dining Room: Decorate with Greenery

dining table with brass deer, candles, greenery and cinnamon rolls

Credit: Adam Albright

Greenery makes a traditional dining room feel even more classic during the holiday season. Here, miniature trees add height to the buffet and a DIY greenery garland creates a dramatic centerpiece. Finish the Christmas table decorations with gold deer figurines and simple white candles.

Buy It: Decorative Figurine Set (Set of 6), ($105, Wayfair)

Kitchen: Keep Decorations Practical

Kitchen decorated for Christmas with trees and ginger bread houses

Credit: Adam Albright Photography Inc

The kitchen is the heart of your home, so keep decorations minimal and out of the way of cooking and conversation. The simple mini Christmas tree decorations in this kitchen create a fun look, and they're easy to move when needed.

Buy It: Lit Pine Trees in Galvanized Bucket, ($80, Pottery Barn)

Bedroom: Use Your Current Decorating Scheme

bedroom nightstand with embroidery-hoop Christmas wall decor

Credit: Adam Albright

Your bedroom is a calming spot, so whatever decorations you choose should be simple and reflect the room's existing atmosphere. Here, embroidery hoop Christmas wreaths and a mini tabletop Christmas tree echo this room's simplicity and farmhouse style.

Formal Living Room: Choose a Color Palette

Living room decorated for Christmas with tree and wood

Credit: Jay Wilde

Friends and family are sure to spend some time in your living room, so why not make it a showstopping space? The key is using an overall color scheme. Red and white decorations pop against the muted tones in this living room. Finish the display with a rustic wood slice fireplace insert.

Buy It: Fireplace Cover, (from $200, Etsy)

Formal Living Room: Use Your Color Scheme

gray armchair next to christmas tree decorated with flowers

Credit: Adam Albright

We love the way the Christmas decorations in this formal living room pick up the room's existing decor. The non-traditional colors on the Christmas tree pick up the pinks and natural wood, while the shots of teal complement the chair and pillows.

Bathroom: Coordinate with Metals

christmas wreath

Give your bathroom a modern look for the holidays by matching the metallics of your plumbing. Bright silver reindeer and ornaments on the wreath look right at home in this cool white bathroom.

Buy It: Set of 2 Antiqued Deer with Garland Accent by Valerie, ($61, QVC)

Hallway: Makeover a Hall Table

holiday entryway with stockings and garland on railing

Don't let the high-traffic areas in your house go unnoticed. A hall table or bench is the perfect spot to add a little extra cheer. Small items like pillows, greenery, or Christmas figurines dress up the space and are easy to remove once the season's over.

Steps: Create a Dramatic Display

Poinsettias and Christmas décor with cat

Credit: Marty Baldwin

If you're decorating the whole house, inexpensive options are a must. Stack your steps with everyday baskets filled with purchased poinsettia plants. Finish this Christmas decorating idea with snipped evergreen branches and cut birch logs.

Mudroom: Small-Scale Decorations

Christmas holiday decor

A back entry or mudroom is a great spot to add a few small Christmas decorations. Go simple with an evergreen wreath and vases filled with white sand and candles.

Editor's Tip: It's also an easy spot to store the gifts you need to take to holiday occasions. Pile them under a mini Christmas tree for a simple but festive look.

Basement: Make Small Decorating Changes

101969056.jpg

Dress up your basement in a few easy steps. Inject some candy-cane red into the color palette, and use a short length of olive leaf garland to make a festive candle wrap.

Buy It: Artificial Olive Hill Garland, ($61, Wayfair)

Bar Cart: Add Wake Up to Holiday Cheer

wreath hanging above bar cart with christmas decor

Credit: Adam Albright

Don't leave your bar cart out of the Christmas decorating fun! Top your cart with a wooden nutcracker, a red house statue, and bottle brush trees. Finish the Christmas display with a simple greenery wreath.

Crafts Room: Decorate with Metallics

white christmas tree with green and metallic ornaments next to desk

Credit: Adam Albright

Create a cozy Christmas display in your crafts room or office. Choose a smaller tree and deck it out with a coordinated color scheme. Carry the metallic decor through to the galvanized tree collar. Finish the decor with a DIY holiday card display and mini evergreen wreaths.

Up Next