One of the best parts of the holiday season for me is enjoying our cozy Christmas Living room!
I love the glow of the lights and all the green of the tree and garland.
Since our family spends lots of time in the living room, I never want to overdo my decor.
Plus, let’s be real – the more decor there is to put out, the more there is to put away!
I’m fairly lazy like that!
In general, I am not one to overdecorate or cover every surface with accents or “tchotchkes.”
One of my best friends and roommates, many years ago – and my decorating inspiration in my younger days – always talked about our apartment “being a hug.”
That’s a phrase I’ve never forgotten.
It’s a phrase that I think about when I change up decor.
We don’t entertain that much (at all) in our current house, but even for my own family, I want them to walk in their home and feel that “hug.”
Christmas decor naturally creates that feeling of a hug.
Besides in the wintertime, we want to curl up on the couch under a warm blanket and just relax!
3 Tips for Creating a Cozy Christmas Living Room
1) Choose a simple color palette
For the past couple of years, I’ve stuck to a simple color palette of red and white for the main living area of our home.
By main living area, I mean the kitchen, dining area, and living room, since they are one big room with no separation.
A simple color palette provides the freedom to add pops of color – or Christmas – without adding extreme amounts of visual clutter.
Add these colors on the Christmas tree, decor accessories, pillows, blankets, stockings, etc.
2 or 3 colors are enough and keeps all the decor cohesive.
2) Add Greenery
I love fake greenery all year long.
Don’t hate!
Faux plants are a great way to add natural and soft touches to any space.
At Christmas time, adding wintery garlands and faux snow-flocked plants creates a warmth and softness about the house.
There are so many great options these days!
This plant on my coffee table is actually a collection of $1.00 picks from Hobby Lobby!
Adding wintery greenery is also a fairly clutter-free way to decorate.
Just swap out those multi-seasonal plants or stems with a more festive variety.
Using those same pots or planters is perfectly acceptable!
3) Use “Soft” Decor
Think fabric!
Table runners, blankets, pillows, placemats, and more add a certain softness and coziness to Christmas decor.
I love a blanket thrown over the back of the couch or a chair.
Simple pillows in coordinating colors change up the look of couches and chairs, but also tie in those big pieces of furniture to the festive side!
Table runners and fabric placemats add contrast and warmth to clunky tables, consoles, and other large furniture pieces.
They provide a base on which to build simple vignettes of holiday decor.
In a pinch, I’ve even just gone to my local fabric store and bought a yard or two of fabric, folded it into a long rectangle, and thrown it over a table.
My philosophy will always be that Christmas decor doesn’t have to be overdone or cover every surface of the house in order for the people who enter my home to feel the magic and warmth of Christmas!
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