Easy Christmas Decorating Ideas for Every Room in the House

Need some easy Christmas decorating ideas? We’ve got you. Here’s a roundup of our favorite vignettes and tablescapes from Christmases past.

If you’ve followed me for a while, you know how much I love the holiday season. The lights, the greenery, the tablescapes… I look forward to decorating the house for Christmas all year long. However, that doesn’t mean that I want to spend too much time doing it. My favorite ideas are ones that are quick but make a big impact!

It should come as no surprise that we’ve amassed quite a collection of Christmas decoration ideas over the years. From holiday mantel decor to festive foyers, we’ve covered it all. 

So if you’ve ever stood frozen, overwhelmed in the holiday decor aisle, wondering “How can I decorate my house for Christmas,” fear not, friend. Because today, we’re rounding up our favorite holiday decor inspiration photos to share, all in one convenient spot.

Keep reading for tons of simple Christmas decoration ideas that make you look like a pro — without breaking the bank.

Simple and Inexpensive Christmas Decor for the Kitchen

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It’s easy to overlook decorating the kitchen for the holidays, but if you’re anything like me, that’s where you’ll spend a lot of time over the next few months. So why not make it festive?

Ornament Bowl Kitchen Island Centerpiece

This first image is from years ago, but I still love it. If you’re looking for a super simple, inexpensive way to decorate your kitchen for Christmas, this is it. To recreate, you’ll need:

• A decorative bowl — I used a carved wooden bowl, but you can use what you have. Ceramic, metal, glass, it all works.
• Extra ornaments — We had leftover metallic Christmas balls that weren’t being used, so in the bowl they went. I love how the metallic finish reflects the twinkle lights for a warm glow.
• String lights — I used these battery-powered fairy lights and tucked the battery pack beneath the ornaments.
• A simple wreath — Again, use what you’ve got. Fresh or faux, eucalyptus, fir, or red berries. Whatever fits your style! 

This simple Christmas centerpiece is perfect for busy spaces like the kitchen island or coffee table because you can move it without disassembling. I liked the concept so much that I made something similar involving a tiered tray.

Christmas Two-Tiered Kitchen Tray

This idea involved keeping items on my two-tiered tray that were mostly just normal, everyday kitchen items. I brought in candy cane straws and a couple of red ornaments as accents and added a festive red plaid runner to my island to make it feel more like Christmas.

I loved this idea so much that I repeated it several years later with purely decorative objects. The tiered tray was able to serve as a little Christmas village!

For other affordable Christmas kitchen decor ideas, you can check out this post, packed with images of red and green vignettes throughout our kitchen. Most of these ideas involve prettying up your space using simple items like sprigs of faux red berries!

Some of my Favorite Tablescape Ideas to Decorate the Dining Room for Christmas

Holiday tablescapes are my jam, you guys. Not only are they gorgeous and festive, but it’s always a satisfying trial-and-error puzzle as you put one together. Plus, once you’ve got the basic elements in place, tablescapes are super simple and inexpensive Christmas decor to recreate each year.

If you look at some of my favorite holiday tables from the past, you’ll see some familiar pieces. Here’s what I recommend having on hand for timeless dining table styling:

• Neutral dinnerware — White or cream can be dressed up or down, and pairs beautifully with any color scheme.
• Mood lighting — Grab some candlesticks and tea lights you can use again and again. These don’t need to be expensive — a quick trip to any local thrift store will likely yield some great finds.
• Chargers and linens — Again, going neutral here is key. You’ll see my cream linen napkins and woven chargers used in our tablescapes throughout the year.
• Glassware — Chances are you’ve already got what you need. Dress your table up or down with everyday glassware or the fancy stuff you got as a wedding gift. Looking for something unusual? Keep your eyes open at the thrift store or clearance sections of your favorite stores.

With the staples on hand, you can create endless tablescapes with just a few little tweaks. One year, we opted for rustic dining room decor, featuring natural textures and elements like antlers and pinecones. Similar to my ideas for the kitchen, this centerpiece could be lifted and moved when it was time to eat!

Although it was a bit more intricate, one year I created a Robert Frost-inspired Christmas, highlighting whitewashed wood tones, traditional pine branches, and pops of color with red berries. The nice thing is, no matter the color scheme or overall holiday theme, the basic framework remains the same for each year’s tablescape. By saving time repeating the basics, I could up level the specifics to make it feel special. Every year has elements that feel fresh and new, with familiar elements to create that beautiful feeling of family tradition. 

Make the Whole House Christmassy

Holiday Mantel Inspiration

Perhaps the most classic spot to decorate for Christmas is the fireplace. When it comes to styling your mantel for the holidays, even super simple can create a big impact. 

A few years ago, we opted for classic Christmas red, white, and green decor, and our family room mantel was really magical. Recreate the look with green garland and some lights, red pillar candles for a little height, and simple stocking holders. Then sit back and enjoy the view.

Decorate the Entryway for Christmas

Set the tone right away with a festive foyer. This simple holiday entryway relied on a few fresh greenery arrangements and vintage snowshoes and bells for some added texture.

A Christmas Mudroom to Welcome You Home

Ok, so this one might surprise you, but I *love* decorating the mudroom for Christmas! This is the first and last spot we see as we come and go during the busy holiday season. So why not make it festive?

And because mudrooms are small and cozy, a little bit of holiday cheer goes a long way. This Christmas mudroom decor is from a few years back, but I just love it. It’s rustic and filled with natural elements and textures like greenery, pinecones, and vintage wooden skis. If you haven’t decorated your mudroom for Christmas before, I highly recommend it.

Even More Christmas Decorating Ideas for Your Home

It’s been so much fun to revisit some of my favorite holiday decor ideas from Christmases past, but there are so many more cataloged here on the blog. Whether you’re looking for the green and gold Christmas inspiration, a woodland-inspired Christmas tree, or classic Christmas decor ideas, we’ve got hundreds of holiday inspiration photos for you to peruse.

So hop in your coziest Christmas pjs, pour yourself a cup of cocoa (or your favorite hot toddy), and search away, friend. I hope you find the perfect ideas to decorate your whole house for Christmas.

P.S. Find a favorite? Share it on your Instagram — and be sure to tag me @ninahendrickhome so I can see your version. Can’t wait to see what you create!