Blue and green plaids with touches of red in the living room create that timeless Christmas feeling. Below are my 2020 holiday decorating plans for the living room and the rest of the house.
Usually I only sketch holiday ideas in my planner, but this year I wanted a clearer plan. With a new house to decorate, I needed a road map so I wouldn’t feel overwhelmed or end up buying things I don’t need.
I know some people think it’s too early to share Christmas ideas in October or early November, but my goal is to help you plan ahead. When you plan early you can find the pieces you love before they sell out, enjoy the process, and avoid a last-minute rush.
We moved into this house last December. At the time I put up a simple tree in the living room with our family ornaments and left it at that. The room has changed a lot since then, and this year I wanted to be intentional about the overall look so everything feels cohesive.
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Before I dive into the mood board, I want to share a recent splurge: a tree I’ve wanted for two years. It’s an investment, but I worried it might be too large for the space. It arrived last week and I set it up on Halloween—yes, I couldn’t wait. It fits the corner perfectly: full and lush without overpowering the room. I’ll decorate and share the finished look soon, but I wanted to give a quick sneak peek.
Decorating a new space felt daunting, so I created a mood board to visualize the living room before I buy anything. Seeing everything together helps me avoid impulse purchases and decide what will really work with the room’s scale and colors.
Christmas Decorating Plans for the Living Room
My plan for the living room is classic and a bit traditional: neutral base layers with accents of green, blue, and pops of red through plaid details. I love plaid at the holidays, and I’m planning to use it for ribbon, pillows, and small accents so the red reads as timeless rather than trendy.
On my mood board I paired brass candlesticks, cedar garland, pomegranate stems, blue stockings, classic stocking holders, and both red and green plaid ribbons. I’ll add deer ornaments, mercury glass balls, and textured throws and pillows in midnight blue, fawn, and red plaid. A woven basket tree collar, faux mini trees, and a star tree topper will finish the look. I’m keeping most furnishings neutral so the seasonal touches feel intentional and layered.
A few items are still on order. Once everything arrives and I style the room, I’ll post full photos and styling tips so you can recreate the look if you like it.
Christmas Decorating in the Rest of the House
Beyond the living room, I want the holiday theme to flow through the house while still reflecting each room’s personality. I’m finishing a kitchen makeover right now, so I’ll wait to decorate that until the updates are complete. The new kitchen will influence holiday tabletop and accent choices.
I’m excited to start a new tradition by putting a tree in my girls’ room. I ordered a box of blush ornaments for them to decorate a full-size flocked tree—soft, girly, and fun. I’ll repurpose the flocked tree I used in our old living room so the girls can have their own special tree this year.
My office sits at the front of the house and its color scheme is blush and brass, so I’ll bring those tones into a small tree in the front window. Gold ornaments and a brass tree collar will tie in with the rest of the office decor.
The dining room sits across from the office, and I’m still deciding whether to add a tree there. Regardless, I’ll continue the plaid theme in my plates and tabletop accents. I have some classic china that works well with plaid, so I’ll mix those pieces with seasonal linens and a few special ornaments to keep the space festive yet refined.
Overall I want the holiday decor to feel joyful and welcoming, not chaotic. By planning ahead and creating a cohesive palette—greens, blues, and reds with classic plaids and warm metallics—I’m aiming for a house that feels festive and lived-in without being overdone.
Do you prefer extravagant holiday decorating or a quieter, simpler approach? I’d love to hear what traditions you keep each year.
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