Our Farewell Christmas Home Tour: The Living Room and Kitchen — the heart of this house where we made so many memories over the last eight years. Sharing this last tour feels bittersweet as we prepare to move into our new home this week.
This year’s theme might as well have been “decorate quickly, then pack everything up,” so I kept the styling intentionally simple and classic. Whether you’re moving or settled in place, you can recreate this understated holiday look by choosing a few of your favorite pieces and arranging them thoughtfully instead of filling every surface.
For the mantel I left the large mirror and the pair of shutters in place, then decorated around them. Those pieces give the mantel a strong anchor, so I added a few statement accents to balance the look. If we had stayed, I would have refreshed the mantel each season around the mirror and shutters—sometimes less is more when you want pieces to stand out.
Interested in the mantel and tree details? I previously shared step-by-step posts about my mantel styling and my flocked plaid tree if you’d like more inspiration or specifics:
- My Simple Christmas Mantel
- My Flocked Plaid Christmas Tree
This year I brought the “fancy” tree into the living room for the first time. Normally my themed ornaments go on the large 9-foot tree in the dining room, but I donated that taller tree because our new house has lower ceilings. I purchased a 7.5-foot tree for the new space, so this living room tree was a special treat to display while we prepared to move.
I’m excited to move into the new house and place our most cherished family ornaments where they can be enjoyed again. Changing homes doesn’t mean losing the memories behind these decorations; it just gives them new rooms to shine in.
In the kitchen I created a simple, portable centerpiece using fresh greenery, pomegranate branches and a few gold ornaments I’ve kept for years. A dough bowl works perfectly for a table centerpiece because it’s lightweight and easy to move when it’s time to eat or clear the table for preparations.
Small, simple touches make a big difference: wreaths tied to the backs of chairs are effortless to add and remove, but they instantly add a festive feel to the dining area.
Pair the centerpiece with pretty plates—my turquoise melamine plates are a favorite for everyday holiday meals—and a selection of festive mugs for a cozy Christmas breakfast setup that’s both practical and cheerful.
A few decorative accents—cascading ornaments tucked into a vintage colander, a “noel” sign and a small sled found at a dollar spot—help define a cozy holiday corner without crowding the space. Simple themed groupings like these bring personality and charm at minimal cost.
My DIY open shelves are one of my favorite decorating spots—I’ll miss styling them season after season. They’re practical for display and allow for quick, layered styling. Even if the new home doesn’t have the same shelf setup, I know I’ll find other places to create small vignettes.
I’m absolutely in love with the green velvet tree pillow with gold embroidery—soft, subtly festive and cozy. If you spot it in a store, it’s a lovely pop of color and texture for a seasonal sofa or chair.
To style the shelves I cleared everything off at the end of fall, wiped the surfaces clean, and gathered my favorite Christmas pieces on the table. Then I placed items back one at a time, arranging them until each small section felt balanced. I tend to divide the shelf into four visual areas and use the “rule of three” or odd-number groupings to create pleasing mini-vignettes.
One fun addition this year is the “Family-Owned Farm” printable from my Christmas printables collection—printable art is an easy, affordable way to introduce seasonal graphics into your decor without taking up too much space.
Another printable I used features pomegranates and candy—small printable pieces like these layer well with vintage finds, greenery and small trees to create a curated holiday display.
My collection of mini evergreen trees has grown over the years and remains a favorite seasonal item. They’re versatile, easy to tuck into vignettes, and add a consistent wintery look throughout the home.
Thank you for joining me on this final Christmas home tour in this house. By the time this posts we’ll already own our new home and will be waiting for furniture to arrive. I’m hopeful I’ll be able to add a few special decorations and make the new house feel festive before the big day. Wishing you a warm, simple and memorable holiday season! 🎄
More Posts You Will Love:
- 7+ Ways to Decorate with Christmas Ribbon {Sources & Ideas!}
- How to Decorate the Kitchen for Christmas
- How to Hang a Christmas Mantel Garland + Video
- How To Display Kitchen Cabinet Wreaths
- Blue and White Christmas Living Room