You’ll find plenty of easy-to-copy ideas for your home when you tour this family room, decorated in an updated traditional Christmas style.
They say the kitchen is the heart of the home, and while that’s often true here, the title shifts to my cozy family room during the Christmas season. This is where we gather for hot cocoa by the fire, watch holiday movies, and linger by the tree. The room’s warmth and familiar traditions naturally draw everyone together, and it’s where many of our favorite family memories are made.
Christmas Decor
Although the kitchen still sees a lot of traffic, it takes second place to this inviting space throughout the holidays. There’s something about a glowing Christmas tree and a crackling fireplace that makes this room irresistible. This year I decorated the tree in a classic red-and-white palette and added luxurious black-and-white buffalo check silk ribbon for contrast and texture.
This year’s look was inspired by time spent with a few professional designers, where I picked up their step-by-step secrets for decorating a Christmas tree. I filmed the process and shared the video so you can see the full decorating method in action. I also found some glittery red houses and a barn on clearance after last Christmas and had been saving them all year—once the tree went up, I knew exactly where those charming pieces would live.
Decorating The Christmas Tree
The tree’s layering began with ribbon, which forms the backbone of the design and helps carry the color and pattern throughout the branches. Next, I nestled the little glitter houses into the boughs to create cozy vignettes, then added the largest ornaments first, followed by medium and smaller ornaments to balance scale and visual interest. To finish, I tucked in picks of faux snow-dusted greenery and red berries for texture and a natural touch. For anyone curious about ribbon placement, I posted a video tutorial on my Instagram showing exactly how I add ribbon—check the “Christmas Inspo” section on my profile for that clip.
Across from the tree is the sofa, which I dressed in a furry throw and fur-trimmed plaid pillows for a cozy, layered look. On my DIY sofa table behind the couch I added two chunky white candlesticks and a flannel-plaid basket overflowing with artificial greenery. Simple, approachable touches like these keep the room feeling festive without becoming cluttered or fussy—my favorite approach to holiday decorating.
There’s one family member who has clearly claimed this spot as his own.
On the console table at the sofa’s end, I created a small vignette with galvanized metal houses arranged in a tray, a few frosted red ornaments, and sprigs of artificial greenery. Paired with a couple of red lanterns on the lower shelf, these modest accents help carry the red theme around the room without overpowering the space.
After gentle persuasion, my husband finally agreed to replace his worn leather recliner with a new, more supportive chair. At 6’2”, comfort and neck support are essential for him, and I was happy to choose a chair that’s both comfortable and attractive. Hanging a wreath on the French door behind the chair and adding another flannel-plaid container holding a small tree created a snug reading corner that feels seasonal and intentional.
Small details—like the candelabras on the mantel, the texture of the plaid, and the balancing pops of red—make the room feel cohesive and festive without overwhelming the senses. These are the kinds of touches you can replicate easily: layer ribbon and ornaments on your tree, add a few signature pieces like metal houses or lanterns, and use textiles to bring warmth and pattern into seating areas.
I’m already planning several decor updates for this room after the New Year and can’t wait to share the changes. If you’re looking to create a welcoming, updated-traditional Christmas space, focus on a consistent color story, mix textures, and place a few meaningful pieces throughout the room—those are the details that turn seasonal decor into lasting family memories.