Even though I pulled the Christmas boxes out of the attic on November 1, it’s taken a little while to add the finishing touches to my living room. Since I’m not doing any holiday home tours this year, I’m free to decorate the way I like—room by room and at my own pace. That relaxed approach is my favorite way to decorate.
This year I’m sharing the space in smaller installments instead of one big, all-inclusive tour. I’ve already shared the details of my Christmas mantel on the blog, and the rest of the room mixes cherished pieces from past years with a few new finds.
When I decide what to bring into the house, I run each piece through what I call the “winter decor test”: will this still read as winter decor after the holidays, or will it look overly Christmassy once January arrives? If it works for winter and I love it, it stays. If not, it gets left on the shelf. That mindset lets me leave most of the decor up through February or even into March, so the room feels cozy without feeling stuck in a single holiday.
I do plan to take the trees down in January, but with a new baby and the coldest part of the year ahead, I want pretty things around me to brighten the days. Leaving most of the decor up is practical, too—there simply won’t be time to take everything down right away.
One of my favorite DIY projects this season is the chicken-wire Christmas card holder. I’d been wanting a decorative card display for a while, and when I found a tutorial that fit my vision, I adapted it for the space. My version measures about 5 feet long by 2 feet tall. I followed the basic steps but adjusted the corners to be angled to match my style. I stained it with a favorite cloth that makes small projects so easy and used tiny gold clothespins to attach the cards—simple and charming.
I love the finished piece so much I’m likely to leave it up year-round to display family photos and seasonal prints. It’s a flexible, decorative solution that works beyond December.
Another small project I enjoy is glittery subway art. I made a piece last year using cut vinyl and double-sided adhesive, and it still reads as winter-appropriate art. Mixing a sparkly statement with muted, cozy elements keeps the room festive without being over-the-top.
When I was looking for wintery art for a white frame in the corner, I couldn’t resist a delicate buck watercolor by an artist I admire — her work feels gentle and seasonal without being overly Christmassy. I’ve found I’m drawn to pieces that can live in the room beyond December and still feel right through late winter.
I also treated myself to a ruffled burlap tree skirt this year. I didn’t make it—I bought it for under $20—and it’s one of those finds that proves sometimes it pays not to DIY. The texture and neutral color make it easy to layer with baskets and blankets for a cozy, lived-in feel.
On a personal note, I added one new ornament to our small sentimental tree this year: a Tennessee Smokey ornament my mother-in-law gave me. As a University of Tennessee grad, I love having that little nod to my roots among our family ornaments.
The living room has become a cozy workspace for holiday tasks: wrapping presents, sipping hot chocolate, and even writing blog posts from my new rocking recliner. That recliner was my Christmas gift this year so I can comfortably rock the new baby in the living room. I wanted something that reads like a club chair rather than a big leather recliner, and this one fits nicely with the room’s overall relaxed, comfortable look.
So my decorating strategy this year is simple: layer cozy textures, choose pieces that transition from Christmas into winter, and keep sentimental items in places where they can be enjoyed throughout the season. Do you decorate strictly for Christmas, or do you prefer to decorate for winter and leave things up until spring begins?
Sources:
Joy Pillow – Target (similar styles available)
Sparkle Snowflake Pillow – Target
Buck Watercolor – Craftberry Bush
White Tree Garland – Target
Blessed Pillow – DIY stenciled drop cloth pillow cover
Stenciled Curtains – DIY
Rug – RugsUSA
Burlap Ruffled Mini Tree Skirt – purchased online (under $20)
White Glittery Bottled Brush Tree – Target
Blanket Basket – Target
Burlap Monogrammed Stockings – Mint Julep Monograms
Red Christmas Beetle – Craftberry Bush