I’m not sure why, but this year I felt like jumping on the Christmas decorating bandwagon a few weeks earlier than usual. I’m ready to bring on all the twinkling lights, coziness, and joy of the holiday season. If you’re feeling the same way and are starting to look around for holiday inspiration, I’ve gathered all sorts of beautiful decorating ideas for Christmas 2021 to share with you.
Whether you plan to go all out or keep it simple and minimal, these modern Christmas decorating ideas will make your home look beautiful all the way to New Year’s Day.
As these lovely spaces demonstrate, you don’t have to go all out with glitter and glam to create a festive holiday atmosphere. A more natural, rustic, and/or modern look can be just as striking, especially when decorating for winter.
However, there are zero rules when it comes to holiday decorating. So do whatever feels joyful to you. Every Christmas season, I change how much I do (or don’t do), depending on how I’m feeling and how much time I have.
M Elle Design
Any time that feels right for you! I usually start scouting out the Christmas decorating trends in early November, but I don’t finish my holiday decorating until later in the month. In fact, I’ll probably be tweaking things all the way up to Christmas Day!
When it comes to decorating for the holidays, I typically pay special attention to our dining room, living room, and entryway. Then, depending how festive I’m feeling, I might add a few Christmas touches to the kitchen, hearth room, and master bedroom.
Every holiday season, I like to refresh our house with a few new decorative items and perhaps one or two new furniture pieces to help make our home feel extra comfortable for the holidays.
I’m seeing lots of natural, organic style in Christmas decor for 2021 into 2022–think soft, clean and minimal, with light woods, white on white, and gorgeous wreaths and garlands made of cypress, pine, and eucalyptus.
Modern Scandinavian style is popular, too, incorporating rustic wood elements and lots of black and white with pops of vibrant greenery.
Leclair Decor
Light and airy Nordic Christmas decor is always on trend, with lush, oversized garlands draped asymmetrically over mantels and doorways. Dried orange garlands are making an appearance again this season, and I plan to give this holiday trend a try in our home!
Simple candlesticks, rustic wood candle holders, wooden bead strands used as garlands, all-white modern Christmas tree decorations, and Christmas stockings in chunky knits are also popular this Christmas.
As far as what colors are popular for Christmas this year, blue is still playing a big part in the current decorating trends. And, as you know, I love decorating for Christmas with blue!
I think we’ll continue to see lots of blue decor trending in the coming months, as Benjamin Moore chose Aegean Teal as its Color of the Year for 2021 and Farrow and Ball selected Stone Blue as one of its Colors of the Year for 2022.
If you want to decorate your house for Christmas without spending a lot of money, simply scroll through the images below–then incorporate the ideas you love in your own home, using what you already have on hand.
Our back yard is one of my favorite sources of holiday decor, where I gather twigs and branches.
I also like to display fresh fruit in our home for the holidays and Christmas time–think oranges, clementines, pomegranates, or figs displayed on a tray or piled in a bowl.
Christmas in the living room, via House and Home
A bowl of walnuts in the shell, as shown in the photo above, makes a beautiful coffee or side table adornment for the holidays.
Below, you’ll find all sorts of beautiful ideas for decorating your house for the holidays, including trimmed trees, elaborate entryways, festive shelf styling, and accessorized mantels.
Gather inspiration from these lovely spaces, then have fun creating your own festive holiday look. And, if you’ve already finished decorating for Christmas, make sure to pin your favorite images for next year!
A warm and wonderful family room decorated for the holidays, from Annie at Zevy Joy
A lovely living room decorated with warm and rustic Christmas touches, from Jenna Sue Design
A simple holiday mantel decorated with a garland of dried orange slices, candle sticks, and greenery. From The Merry Thought.
A tiny evergreen tree is all it takes to bring a touch of the season to this beautiful living room, from M Elle Design.
Elegant and modern Christmas decor in the living room, from McGee & Co.
Love this gorgeous holiday mantel decorated with fresh eucalyptus, a beaded garland, candles, and rustic wood accents. From Pinterest – please advise if you know the source
One of my favorite kitchens, beautifully decorated for the holidays, from The Identite Collective, via Rue Magazine
A beautiful Christmas tree, decorated in natural & neutral tones, from Camille Styles
Classic blue and white Christmas decor in the entryway by Plum Designs, via House and Home
Open shelving styled for Christmas, from Studio McGee
A lovely lake house living room decorated for the holidays, from the Lily Pad Cottage
Classic gold, white and green mantel styling from Monika Hibbs
Lovely modern farmhouse kitchen with open shelving styled for the holidays, from Plank and Pillow
via Pinterest (please advise if you know the source)
Gorgeous modern Christmas living room decor from The House of Silver Lining
Love the subtle Christmas touches in this lovely kitchen from Jenna Sue Design
This stunning holiday wreath would look gorgeous indoors or out! From Shades of Blue Interiors – here’s a similar option
Creamy knit stockings and brass bells adorn a beautiful rustic mantel, from The Coastal Oak
Love this organic take on Christmas, with soft neutral tones — from Michelle Janeen, via Instagram
Lovely touches of Christmas in this coastal style kitchen belonging to The Lilypad Cottage
Festive Christmas decorations add a cozy feeling to this open-concept mountain home — from Studio McGee
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This beautiful Christmas scene is highlighted by a lovely mantel decorated with fresh greenery, tiny houses, and candles. From Monika Hibbs.
Lovely light and airy Scandinavian-style Christmas decor — via Hello Lovely
Rustic modern Christmas mantel styling with lush asymmetrical garland and glowing candles — from Francois et Moi
A modern twist on classic Christmas decor in the dining room — from Elizabeth Street Post, via Domino Mag
Lights, fresh pine and candles create a fun and festive holiday bar cart — from Elizabeth Street Post, via Domino Mag
Love this rustic holiday mantel decorated with dried orange and cypress garlands and brass bells. Via House of Jade Interiors.
Modern touches of Christmas in the living room, incorporating fresh greenery and pomegranate — from Emily Henderson
A simple but lovely DIY holiday wreath, from Erin at Francois et Moi
Gorgeous all-white living room, adorned for Christmas with an overflowing asymmetrical garland — from The Identite Collective, via The Haven List
Beautiful entryway styling from Eye For Pretty
A modern minimal holiday mantel, from McGee & Co.
Love the simple touches of Christmas in this lovely master bedroom – from Jenna Sue Design
I hope you found lots of Christmas decorating ideas to bring a touch of the season to your home for the holidays! No matter how you choose to decorate for Christmas this year, I wish you a season filled with much joy and love! xo jane
For more holiday table decorating ideas, you might also be interested in this post: Beautiful Christmas Tablescapes and Table Setting Ideas, as well as this post: Beautifully Simple Fall & Thanksgiving Table Setting Ideas.
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