Have Yourself an Inspired Little Christmas
These 10 scenes with festive trees and lights may spark ideas for your own holiday decor
If the Christmas songs playing at the grocery store or your neighbor’s impressive light display have you ready to get out the garlands, you’re in good company. And as you prepare to deck the halls this holiday season, we’ve collected a few favorite photos and design ideas from Christmas stories past to spark your decorative spirit.
2. Jewel Tones
Over red and green? This seasonal scene from British furniture maker John Lewis & Partners shows how bold jewel tones can be incorporated into holiday decor. Here, a royal blue accent chair ties the tree to the vibrant wallpaper behind it, building a look that’s chic and still cheerful.
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Over red and green? This seasonal scene from British furniture maker John Lewis & Partners shows how bold jewel tones can be incorporated into holiday decor. Here, a royal blue accent chair ties the tree to the vibrant wallpaper behind it, building a look that’s chic and still cheerful.
Find an interior designer near you
3. Playing With Light
As if their elaborate backyard treehouse weren’t playful enough, the Texas homeowners we featured in a 2016 Houzz video enlist tree house architect and friend James Curvan to cover their grandsons’ play place entirely in colorful holiday bulbs each year, proving that your seasonal decorations don’t have to stop at the front porch.
Watch the video
A Holiday Lighting Pro Talks Nets, Ladders and Seasonal Spirit
As if their elaborate backyard treehouse weren’t playful enough, the Texas homeowners we featured in a 2016 Houzz video enlist tree house architect and friend James Curvan to cover their grandsons’ play place entirely in colorful holiday bulbs each year, proving that your seasonal decorations don’t have to stop at the front porch.
Watch the video
A Holiday Lighting Pro Talks Nets, Ladders and Seasonal Spirit
4. Alternative Branches
Even the suggestion of a Christmas tree can evoke the season. Photographer Julie Ranee used hats she’d collected for years to create a sort of tree tribute and topped them with a distressed star and other rustic details, like an antique typewriter. Elsewhere in the house, warm wood and other natural elements complete the low-key yet curated look.
See more rustic holiday decor in this house
Even the suggestion of a Christmas tree can evoke the season. Photographer Julie Ranee used hats she’d collected for years to create a sort of tree tribute and topped them with a distressed star and other rustic details, like an antique typewriter. Elsewhere in the house, warm wood and other natural elements complete the low-key yet curated look.
See more rustic holiday decor in this house
5. Frosty Palette
Shades of blue, white and silver feel cool, not cold, in this refreshing approach to the colors of the season.
Shop for Christmas trees
Shades of blue, white and silver feel cool, not cold, in this refreshing approach to the colors of the season.
Shop for Christmas trees
6. Kitschy Charm
Austin, Texas, stylist and homeowner Jennifer Perkins invited Houzz into her colorful home last Christmas to show us her passion for having fun with her holiday decor. With a wide array of artificial trees on display paired with vintage ornaments and toys, the house is a festive example of a space that is bold, eclectic and cohesive all at once. The top shelf of the brass Milo Baughman étagère shown here displays a vintage glass collection with corresponding artificial trees.
See more of this eclectic Texas home
Austin, Texas, stylist and homeowner Jennifer Perkins invited Houzz into her colorful home last Christmas to show us her passion for having fun with her holiday decor. With a wide array of artificial trees on display paired with vintage ornaments and toys, the house is a festive example of a space that is bold, eclectic and cohesive all at once. The top shelf of the brass Milo Baughman étagère shown here displays a vintage glass collection with corresponding artificial trees.
See more of this eclectic Texas home
7. Pile on the Pillows
When it comes to Christmas decor, the cozier, the better. Decorative seasonal throw pillows like the ones piled up in the corner here are small touches to swap in this time of year for a big and comfy impact.
Browse holiday pillows on Houzz
When it comes to Christmas decor, the cozier, the better. Decorative seasonal throw pillows like the ones piled up in the corner here are small touches to swap in this time of year for a big and comfy impact.
Browse holiday pillows on Houzz
8. Merry and Minimalist
Architect Tracey Ford of EOA Architects in Nashville, Tennessee, gave her 1913 Victorian cottage a sophisticated holiday makeover, setting a reusable garland, twinkle lights, pine cones, wreaths and other collected elements against the room’s black, white and yellow pieces. Even the dress form in the corner is dressed in its holiday best: The black ribbon and black and gold jewelry were added just for the occasion.
See more of this 1913 cottage
Architect Tracey Ford of EOA Architects in Nashville, Tennessee, gave her 1913 Victorian cottage a sophisticated holiday makeover, setting a reusable garland, twinkle lights, pine cones, wreaths and other collected elements against the room’s black, white and yellow pieces. Even the dress form in the corner is dressed in its holiday best: The black ribbon and black and gold jewelry were added just for the occasion.
See more of this 1913 cottage
9. Beachy Touches
By skipping a snowy yard and mugs of hot cocoa in favor of a platter of seashells and timber beams hung with ornaments, this Charleston, South Carolina, home embraces the warmth of the season in its own way.
Get inspired with more photos of seashell accents
By skipping a snowy yard and mugs of hot cocoa in favor of a platter of seashells and timber beams hung with ornaments, this Charleston, South Carolina, home embraces the warmth of the season in its own way.
Get inspired with more photos of seashell accents
10. A Touch of Twinkle
Anchored by an unexpected turquoise accent wall (Sherwin-Williams’ Galapagos Turquoise) and a baby-pink rug, this Austin, Texas, midcentury space outfitted by designer Erin Williamson gets its retro Christmas touches by way of a trio of shimmering metallic artificial trees and other metallic accessories throughout the room.
See more of this midcentury home
Tell us: What inspires your holiday home decor? Share your stories and photos in the Comments.
More on Houzz
Read other stories about Christmas decor
Find a home professional near you
Shop for presents in the holiday gift guides
Anchored by an unexpected turquoise accent wall (Sherwin-Williams’ Galapagos Turquoise) and a baby-pink rug, this Austin, Texas, midcentury space outfitted by designer Erin Williamson gets its retro Christmas touches by way of a trio of shimmering metallic artificial trees and other metallic accessories throughout the room.
See more of this midcentury home
Tell us: What inspires your holiday home decor? Share your stories and photos in the Comments.
More on Houzz
Read other stories about Christmas decor
Find a home professional near you
Shop for presents in the holiday gift guides
The owner of this festively decorated Ohio house says she gets much of her holiday decor inspiration from antiques shops. By framing the entryway with holiday topiaries, wreaths and other greenery flecked with rich red, the family has created an elevated traditional look.
See more holiday decor in this home