Welcome to my cozy, traditional Christmas living room filled with plaid touches. I’m absolutely loving plaid decor this year and just had to weave it into our holiday styling.
This is the second year I’ve decorated this room, and it’s been so much more relaxed than the first year. The first season here was a big learning curve—figuring out how our older pieces fit the new space and filling in what we needed. Last year I bought a new tree for this room, so it felt great to pull it out of the attic and decorate it without starting from scratch.
Each season I try to choose a loose theme for the house. Last year I began falling for red-and-green plaid when I brought home a tartan duvet for the bedroom, then picked up a few plaid picture frames. That small start quickly turned into a full-blown plaid mood for the holidays. This year I found the perfect red tartan ribbon for the tree, and it set the tone for the whole living room: warm, traditional, and lodge-inspired. We spend so much time here as a family, and with the navy walls and our large sectional it feels downright snug.
LIVING ROOM SOURCES: Christmas tree | Red tartan plaid ribbon | Plaid wrapping paper | Green wrapping paper | Frame TV | Frame TV Christmas art | Antelope pillow covers | Round wooden tray | Firewood basket | Mantel greenery | Sectional sofa (twill, parchment) | My jeans | My boots | My sweater
The plaid ribbon instantly gives the room a cozy, traditional lodge vibe. Once the ribbon was set, I decided to decorate the tree to feel nostalgic and homey. Most years I style the main tree one way for photos, then let the kids add their sentimental ornaments to a family tree we keep up for the holidays. This year the tartan ribbon and our sentimental ornaments felt like a perfect match, so I dressed the tree entirely in family favorites.
I added a few blue and gold berry stems to give the tree extra depth, but I love the casual, unpretentious look. From there, I carried the plaid theme through the mantel, shelving, and console table for a cohesive room that still feels relaxed.
MANTEL SOURCES: Christmas tree | Red tartan plaid ribbon | Plaid & green wrapping paper | Frame TV art | Round wooden tray | Firewood basket | Birch logs | Mantel greenery | Vintage-inspired rug | Hanging bells | White stockings | Fair Isle glass trees (similar) | Brass star figurine | Storage ottoman
On the mantel I tied the plaid ribbon into bows and tucked them into the greenery. A few brass bells add a vintage, musical touch, and this year I arranged the garland so it drifts asymmetrically to the left for a relaxed, modern look. I also swapped out an old galvanized bucket by the fireplace for a woven basket to store birch logs—time to let go of a little farmhouse decor and embrace a warmer, layered style.
Near the entry, I replaced one console basket with a large dough bowl filled with pine cones, gold ornaments, and pomegranate stems. That simple swap makes the entry feel seasonal and inviting without being overdone.
CONSOLE TABLE SOURCES: Console table | White & brass lamps | Console basket | Plaid & sherpa pillow cover | Pillow insert | Dough bowl | Wood chain decor | Decorative books | Plaid picture frame
I love the peek-a-boo plaid pillow in the console basket—sherpa on the back makes it unbelievably cozy. Another plaid accent lives in a picture frame on the console, and a new piece of art called “Berries in Snow” now anchors the alcove between the entry and living room. It coordinates beautifully with our Hale Navy living room and the green powder room nearby, and I plan to keep it up through late winter.
My bookshelves are always a favorite to decorate. This year I added a simple, affordable nativity scene with twinkle lights and swapped out summer frames for plaid ones. A reversible “Merry Christmas” sign brings a cheerful note to the shelf without overwhelming the everyday decor.
For the tree base I layered a basket-style tree collar over a plaid tree skirt. Even once the presents are piled on, I love the layered texture and pattern peeking through.
Looking from the bookshelves back across the room, I layered older plaid pillows with new green velvet covers on the sectional and added a few faux trees near the mirror for balance. We also added an ottoman that doubles as storage—handy for keeping remotes and a seasonal tray close at hand.
When I’m decorating I often second-guess myself. This year I even took the tree down once while trying a different ribbon. But I stayed true to the tartan plaid vision and I’m so glad I did. Using family ornaments made the room feel warm and personal, and the plaid accents gave everything a cohesive, nostalgic edge.
It’s a joy to watch a styling idea come together and then live with it every day while we count down to Christmas. Sharing these seasonal looks is one of my favorite parts of the holidays—thank you for joining me in creating a warm, plaid-filled home for the season. Blessings to you and your family.
xo, Laura
See my Christmas Trees from past years:
- Green & Blue Plaid Christmas Tree
- Blush & Brass Christmas Tree
- Flocked Plaid Christmas Tree
- Navy & Green Farmhouse Christmas Tree
- Navy Buffalo Check and Turquoise Christmas Tree
- Flocked Farmhouse Christmas Tree
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