Decorating A 2 Story Family Room For Christmas

Putnam Living Room

Credit: Ngoc Minh Ngo

For friends and family alike, gathering around the fireside—surrounded by a glowing Christmas tree and a room decked with cheerful holiday decorations—is the hallmark of the holiday season. Draw inspiration from 21 of our favorite Christmas living rooms to give your space a dose of seasonal charm.

1 of 21

Right-Size Holiday Décor

Keenan Living Room with Christmas Tree

Credit: Laurey W. Glenn

When decorating for Christmas, remember to keep your space proportional: If you have a large room with vaulted ceilings, you'll need a tree that will fill the space appropriately. Here, a lush pine is decked with splashes of hot pink, vibrant blue, and apple green—a nod to the room's existing color palette.

See more of this colorful house at Christmas here.

2 of 21

Keep it Simple

Sarah Tuttle Christmas Fireplace Mantel

Credit: Laurey W. Glenn

Don't underestimate the power of a lush boxwood garland paired with gold accents, such as these elegant reindeer candlesticks. For a refined look, make sure that your garland is long enough to gracefully sweep the floor on either side of the mantel.

For more ideas from this home, check out the Classic Home Remake.

3 of 21

Dress Up Overlooked Spaces

Tilton Finwick Study for Christmas

Credit: Laurey W. Glenn

No need to go big to make a statement: Here, mini woven wreaths affixed with simple sprigs of magnolia and pine dress up traditionally overlooked wall space. A few stems of colorful flowers help brighten up one corner of the room.

The rest of this Texas home is just as bold. Check it out here.

4 of 21

Add Pops of Christmas Color

Christmas Mantel with Red and Mangolia Accents

Credit: Laurey W. Glenn

Dress up an all-white space with an oversize magnolia garland (hung to frame the whole fireplace area, rather than just the hearth), bright red accents, and a row of adorable mini trees. Fresh green apples tucked across the mantel add pops of seasonal color without breaking the bank.

5 of 21

Honor Existing Décor

Putnam Living Room

Credit: Ngoc Minh Ngo

Rustic-chic style shines in this simple space, where oversized red string lights illuminate a monochromatic color scheme of iridescent and silver ornaments on the tree. Festive pops of red on the armchair and mantel liven up the room's neutral décor.

See more of this Texas farmhouse here.

6 of 21

Make Merry Like a Minimalist

Coastal Christmas Living Room

Credit: Helen Norman

Streamline your space by using Christmas décor in a limited color scheme. Here, a monochromatic tree paired with spare sprigs of pine across the mantel keep this modern space feeling glamorous, rather than kitschy.

See more from this tranquil and fun home here.

7 of 21

Strike a Balance

James Farmer Cottage Living Room

Credit: Laurey W. Glenn

With its matching tufted sofas and corresponding vases filled with woody holly and boxwood branches, this rustic space proves that perfect symmetry doesn't have to be fussy.

See the rest of this 2000 square foot Georgia cottage decorated for Christmas here.

8 of 21

Pick A Complementary Palette

Sarah Tuttle Living Room Decorated for Christmas

Credit: Laurey W. Glenn

Consider a streamlined color palette this season. This formal living room—already dominated by a stunning gold sofa and bright green silk curtains—benefits from a simple all-gold selection of ornaments in varying shapes, sizes, and sheens. A gilded planter box serves as a chic tree base.

The rest of this home is just as glamorous. See the before and afters here.

9 of 21

Deck the Halls with Seasonal Fruit

Keenan Living Room with Mantel Decorated for Christmas

Credit: Laurey W. Glenn

Holiday party guests will be hungry to steal this look when you make fruit the star of your mantel decorations. Here, colorful marbled apples and bright lemons are tucked amid cuttings of magnolia, pine, and leafy juniper sprigs.

Be sure to check out the rest of this Cheerful Christmas Home.

10 of 21

Nod to Mother Nature

Cabin Living Room Decorated for Christmas

Credit: Lucas Allen

This moss- and dried foliage-covered mantel, flanked by mossy green wreaths, adds festive Christmas warmth without overwhelming the room's existing rustic décor. Tip: Artificial moss is easy to find at most craft stores, but properly dried and preserved natural moss can also be reused year after year.

11 of 21

Add Variety to Foliage Displays

Tilton Finwick Living Room Mantel for Christmas

Credit: Laurey W. Glenn

We love the effortlessly elegant look of this asymmetrical juniper, eucalyptus, and magnolia mantel arrangement, as well as the way the homeowners used their oversized, statement-piece antlers to display a simple wreath.

Don't miss the rest of this fun house here.

12 of 21

Select Color with Care

Dana Wolter Living Room Decoated for Christmas

Credit: Laurey W. Glenn

Though red and green are not to be found in this living room's existing color scheme, rusty red and burnished gold ornaments paired with an all-brown magnolia wreath (featuring just the backside of the leaves) still look complementary next to the neutral plum and cream palette.

Click here for more Christmas decorating ideas from this Birmingham home.

13 of 21

Add Some Glitz

Rustic Silver Christmas Mantel

Credit: Laurey W. Glenn

Oversized gold pinecones flank this symmetrical mantel arrangement, while pops of red atop the mantel add vibrancy to the space.

14 of 21

Go Bright and Bold

Tilton Finwick Living Room for Christmas

Credit: Laurey W. Glenn

Energetic color and pattern make the boldest statement in this home's living room, and the Christmas tree follows suit: Decked in oversized white string lights, iridescent baubles, and simple craft paper ornaments, this verdant pine offers a modern take on the traditional holiday tree. Presents adorned with gold and purple trimmings—echoing the room's splashy color scheme—help the space feel cohesive.

See more fun and bold decorating ideas from this home here.

15 of 21

Play Up Strong Architecture

Arched Windows in Living Room for Christmas

Credit: Johansen Krause

Draw the eye towards high ceilings and plentiful natural lighting with well-placed Christmas wreathes, as in this neutral living space. If you don't want to fuss with a giant holiday tree, consider a less-obtrusive tabletop version, which can be dressed with battery-powered string lights and miniature ornaments.

16 of 21

Strive for Easy Elegance

Sarah Tuttle Living Room Decorated for Christmas

Credit: Laurey W. Glenn

This no-fuss space is decked with foraged foliage and hints of sparkle, from the mantel's simple bead garland to the coffee table's bowl of metallic ornaments. An oversized arrangement of cut pine stems in the window feels uncomplicated and elegant.

Get more Christmas decorating ideas for inside and out with this home tour.

17 of 21

Create Nostalgic Appeal

Red and White Living Room Christmas Tree

Credit: Lucas Allen

And old-school red beaded garland lends vintage charm to this festive Christmas tree, particularly when paired with simple silver, white, and iridescent ornaments. Tip: If you can't find a tree skirt you can live with, consider using a bright plaid throw blanket instead.

18 of 21

Incorporate Coastal Charm

The Coastal Getaway

Credit: Laurey W. Glenn

If coastal chic is more your style, don't force yourself into a traditional red and green Christmas palette. This all-white mantel offers a healthy dose of holiday spirit with pale pinecones, pops of sea glass-blue, and elegant palm fronds scattered throughout.

19 of 21

Rethink Ribbon

Ribbon Bow Christmas Tree

Who says ribbon has to be wrapped around the tree? Here, cute ribbon bows trim the branches of this living room's Christmas tree, while masculine chocolate brown-wrapped gifts keep the room from feeling to frilly.

20 of 21

Use Art as Inspiration

Coastal Christmas Tree

Credit: Helen Norman

If statement artwork is the focal point of your living room, consider building your holiday décor around it. Here, the Christmas tree is decorated to coordinate with the room's existing oversized abstract painting, helping the room retain its modern, cohesive look.

Find more fun ideas for Christmas decorating in the rest of the home tour here.

21 of 21

Delight in Festive Details

Dana Wolter Living Room Decoated for Christmas

Credit: Laurey W. Glenn

Though this room's mantel is flush with the wall, the homeowner affixed a lush garland across the top, adding festive color and dimension to the space. This living room also pays special attention to traditionally overlooked spaces, with a sprig of magnolia in the circular window as well as a simple pine garland draped across the dining banquette.

See more of this elegant home here.

Up Next