15 Christmas decorating ideas from the Country Living archives
When it comes to Christmas, the pages of Country Living are alive with inspiration — from showstopping trees to dazzling decorations and cocooning living rooms plucked straight from the countryside.
Our archives, spanning almost 40 decades, are filled with charming real-life homes, decorating inspiration chosen by our talented editors, and clever tips from our expert artisans (including how to make your own Christmas wreath).
And because we know how much love is poured into each feature, there's no page we'd rather turn than one of our own.
Drawing on some of the most charming Christmas shoots in our roster, take a look at decorating ideas for every style, taste and budget...
Golden glow
In this delightfully pink living room, belonging to artist Molly Mahon, you'll find a handmade Christmas garland intertwined with fresh green sprigs. Two tapered candles sitting in vintage holders are placed carefully behind, casting a warm glow.
"On Christmas Day, I'm always up first. I light the fire and wait to see everyone's faces when they spot their stockings," says Molly.
Festive bedrooms
This charming bedroom from our December 2018 issue features festive greens and Scottish tartan prints. Take inspiration from the present sacks tied with satin ribbons and wicker wreath placed on the window sill.
Dressed to impress
Don't stop with the tree – draping bushels of foliage and winter plants across the fireplace can look wonderful. Here, Pearl Lowe has created a spectacular display with evergreens and dried flowers. High-heeled Christmas stockings (Pearl's own designs) – made from jewel-bright vintage fabrics — add a dash more festive glamour.
Beautifully decorated tree
There's no denying that the Christmas tree is the centrepiece of the house and the most important aspect of our decorations. For a traditional country feel, take note of this pretty tree scheme bedecked with a cluster of different decorations.
Christmas table ideas
Create a vintage-style Christmas table with antique tablecloths (or runners), placemats, and jugs of fresh foliage. Enhance the cosy feel with festive tableware, candles in ceramic holders or glass jars, and homemade Christmas crackers. Complete the look by proudly displaying your Christmas bakes on a stand.
Small spaces
Here's a Christmas tree solution for small spaces. Cleverly placed on a side table, it doesn't spill into limited floor space and stands tall in the room for all to see. This would work particularly well with small potted Christmas trees.
Happy hearths
Come Christmas, a mantlepiece can be a focal point for festive decorating (more so if you're the proud owner of a real fire). Take inspiration from this mantle: there are no baubles or fairy lights, but rather nature doing its best.
Star decoration
Put foraged twigs to good use by making your own star decoration. Here, lights and white paper stars have been added for a festive feel.
Handmade advent calendar
A homemade advent calendar beats every supermarket offering. Here, brown paper has been folded to create 25 small pockets, each secured with a small wooden clip. Decorate with stencils, illustrations, or stickers and fill with a treat.
Go big
Christmas is a large affair for Pearl Lowe. In her living room, tiny dried blooms are strung on the Christmas tree, which is topped with an angel from Suzanne Brocante.
Dress your front door
Decorations aren't only for indoors. At this time of year, our gardens and woodlands are filled with dramatic evergreen foliage, coloured stems, and berries that shine bright even in cold weather.
You can create a showstopping outdoor display with nothing more than a bucket filled with winter-flowering plants and fresh foliage from a walk. We're taking note of this front door from Genevieve Harris' 600-year-old cottage.
Rustic decorations
Here, a small table-top tree has been adorned with paper decorations, while handmade stockings hang from the coat rack above. The basket of fresh pine cuttings will make any home smell like Christmas.
Pretty in pink
Step away from traditional green and red decorating schemes, and instead take note of Molly Mahon's pretty-in-pink dining space. Creative and crafted touches, like the hanging paper fans, add festive charm.
Molly says: "Several fabrics combine red and blue, which breaks an old-fashioned rule, but I say, 'Why not?' They make me smile."
All in the details
Take advantage of the season for nature's best table decorations. Sprigs of foliage, including Christmas Holly, look lovely dotted in bud vases. Alternatively, pile cuttings from your Christmas tree down the centre of your table to create the effect of a garland.
Festive stripes
Seaside stripes made waves in the interior world this summer, and they're not going anywhere for Christmas.
Don't be afraid of clashing colours. Here, bold striped cushions have been paired with a sage green headboard and tartan bow hanging overhead.
You Might Also Like
