Personally: Christmas Styling that Inspires

This Christmas season, our designers have crafted enchanting holiday living rooms that capture warmth, coziness, and nostalgia. Each space blends personal traditions with luxurious touches and timeless holiday elements. From nostalgic German Christmas market inspiration to modern elegance with vintage accents, these dreamy spaces spark fresh holiday decorating ideas.

Join us in exploring these visions, each room styled with the care and joy that make this season magical. With lush greenery, sparkling lights, and unique personal touches, these ideas can transform your home into a holiday haven where memories are cherished.

Embrace the season with these beautiful design inspirations and let your home shine with Christmas cheer.

1. Shannon

Christmas is one of my favourite times of the year, and I look forward to decorating my home with festive touches that capture the warmth and coziness of the season. I typically start early and keep everything up until the second week of January, savouring every moment of holiday cheer.

Each year, I put up three Christmas trees, each with its own theme and character. In the family room, a tree is positioned perfectly for curling up on the sofa during winter nights, filling the room with a comforting glow. In the formal living room, a larger tree creates an elegant focal point for our annual Christmas open house with neighbours and friends. For our bedroom, I set up a smaller tree, where I enjoy falling asleep to the twinkle of white lights.

Throughout the home, I layer in personalized, festive touches. The family room mantel is adorned with a large fresh garland, faux fur stockings, a mix of cute wooden ornaments, ceramic houses, and mini trees, all capturing a relaxed and cosy vibe. A blanket ladder is draped with seasonal throws and blankets, accented with vintage gold bells and wooden beads. In the living room, the mantel has a more formal look with lush greenery, gold candlesticks, and vintage ornaments.

In the dining room, my pearl-white ceramic nativity set sits proudly on the credenza, surrounded by greenery and gold ceramic stars—a simple yet meaningful touch. To top it all off, I scatter Christmas pillows, wood and ceramic houses, candles, and unique ornaments throughout the house, filling every corner with joy.

With each thoughtful addition, my home transforms into a warm, inviting haven filled with Christmas cheer—a place to create memories and share the magic of the season with family and friends.

2. Cheryl

This Christmas, I’m creating a warm and inviting atmosphere that makes you want to curl up with a mug of something warm and let the holiday spirit settle in. Rich, moody tones like emerald green anchor the colour palette, while an abundance of vanilla, sandalwood, and cinnamon-scented candles fill the air, adding layers of fragrance that capture the season's coziness. With low ambient lighting, mostly from the soft glow of candlelight, the room takes on a luxurious, intimate feel, ideal for enjoying Christmas music or a holiday movie in the background.

My decor focuses on plush, comforting touches. Luxurious velvets, thick throws, and ample cushions fill the seating areas, making every spot feel like a cozy retreat. The mantel is brimming with festive greenery, draped elegantly and dotted with bells and candles for that extra sparkle. The faux Christmas tree, a necessity for apartment strata living, is beautifully decorated with an assortment of ornaments collected over the years, each holding its own story or sentiment. Tied together with oversized bows, the tree stands as a centrepiece, a perfect mix of tradition and personal style that brings the season’s warmth into my home.

3. Sara

Styling my home for Christmas is all about balancing a soft, timeless palette with elegant vintage accents for a refined, festive ambiance. Anchored by an oversized sectional against plaster walls with decorative mouldings and a grand double-height ceiling, the space exudes classic sophistication. Modern lighting and recessed ribbon lights cast a soft, layered glow, enhanced by black and metallic accents that seamlessly blend with vintage candlesticks and a creamy colour scheme. Herringbone wood floors lend warmth and character, while a plush teddy accent chair adds cozy comfort. Vintage side tables and light cream linen drapery framing a large, frameless arched mirror add a hint of Parisian elegance.

For the holiday season, I’d style a fresh Christmas tree adorned with vintage glass icicle ornaments and delicate silver tinsel beside a grand piano, creating a striking focal point. Fresh greenery would cascade over the mantel, accompanied by pillar candles that fill the room with festive warmth. Rich red candlesticks tied with billowy bows in vintage holders add a sophisticated pop of colour, balancing cheer and elegance. Fuzzy hand-knit stockings would hang from a vintage mirror, while the room fills with the scent of fresh local greenery. Monochromatic, richly wrapped red gifts would add a vibrant touch under the tree. Finally, a Nordic-inspired nativity scene would rest on a console table with glowing candles, completing the cozy yet chic holiday atmosphere.

4. Aina

I love the holiday season and all the events and traditions that come along with it. I am one of those people who wants to decorate before Halloween, but don’t worry, I wait until after Remembrance Day. My goal is for my home to look like a Hallmark movie one day and I am slowly accumulating enough decorations to make it happen LOL (not in a tacky way of course, I am an interior designer after all). 

The colour palette would be rich and warm, with browns, golds and merlot colour ornaments, velvet ribbons and wooden beaded garlands on the tree. The wrapping paper for the gifts under the tree is typically in the same colour palette as the rest of the home’s decor. I love wrapping presents, so I put more effort into it than maybe is worth! Warm twinkling lights and real greenery everywhere to fill the house with the fresh smell of pine. I also love to bake, especially this time of year, so the smell of sugar and cinnamon and butter would also fill the air. I love to incorporate seasonal decor into every day areas, such as the kitchen shelves or bathroom countertops, places I call “bonus areas”. My kids love to dance and listen to music, so we have Christmas music playing for at least a few hours each day or a holiday classic on the TV.

5. Becky

For my dream Christmas living room, I envision a cozy, traditional space inspired by the holiday we spent in Germany and the magical charm of European Christmas markets. I want to recreate the warmth and authenticity of those celebrations with a space where nostalgia and family traditions come together. Classic Christmas carols would play softly in the background, and the comforting crackle of a wood fireplace would make the room feel truly festive and inviting.

The decor would feature rich, earthy tones—deep greens, warm wood accents, and touches of red. A real Christmas tree, filling the room with the unmistakable scent of pine, would be adorned with white lights, wood bead garlands, and soft, felted ornaments. A few personal touches, like my wooden German smoker, a candle carousel, and a simple nativity scene, would add meaningful warmth. Gold candlesticks would lend a soft glow, while ribbons and garlands add understated elegance. Even without a fireplace, I’d create a mantle-inspired look with stocking holders complete with beautiful stockings.

Subtle holiday scents of pine, cinnamon, and nutmeg would fill the air, while gifts wrapped in kraft paper and linen bags honour a sustainable, traditional Christmas spirit. Together, these details create a space that captures the magic of the season, evoking comfort, joy, and cherished memories.

6. Taylor

In my dream Christmas living room, the atmosphere is soft, bright, and radiates Nordic charm. Muted, earthy tones flow throughout, with soft whites, subtle accents of fragrant greenery, warm greige, and a sleek black fireplace would anchor the space. Every corner would be thoughtfully curated, creating a calm, inviting environment with subtle, meaningful details—perfect for embracing the season. To infuse a touch of Scandinavian sophistication, I’d incorporate clean lines, open space, and a balanced blend of soft knits, natural textures, and elegant bows. This cozy, “hygge” inspired room would capture the essence of a Nordic winter haven. "Hygge" is the Danish and Norwegian concept of creating a cozy, warm atmosphere that fosters comfort, happiness, and contentment through simple, intimate moments.

A flocked Christmas tree would be the focal point, standing tall and beautiful, staying up well into January to extend the holiday’s warmth. Beneath it, expertly wrapped gifts in warm, muted tones, each finished with personalized wax seals, would add a classic, timeless charm. Fuzzy teddy material stockings would hang beside the fireplace, while a fresh, pine wreath brings a touch of holiday cheer to the space.

Throughout the room, I’d add simple yet impactful touches—a bowl of ornaments here, tall taper candles there—to keep the look light and uncluttered. A simmering pot of oranges and cinnamon would fill the air with a comforting, nostalgic fragrance, while mugs of hot cocoa in charming, festive designs await. Altogether, this holiday space would feel like a peaceful sanctuary, blending Nordic minimalism with a warm, festive spirit that captures the anticipation of Christmas Day.

7. Victoria

This Christmas, I’ll be completely transforming my living room. I’m going for a mix of contemporary minimalism with classic, cozy touches. I’ll start with natural greenery—a lush, asymmetrical wreath as a focal point and some evergreen branches draped along the mantel or in vases/ stockings. For a warm, elegant glow, I’ll use tall green and ivory taper candles with satin ribbons in soft neutrals.

I’ll also be adding velvet ribbon accents, along with classic burgundy and olive-green prints/ patterns on gifts, napkins, and even pillows, to infuse a bit of vintage charm. My tree will be simple and timeless, adorned with white lights and ornaments that mimic the look of melting icicles, keeping the atmosphere festive yet understated.

Throughout the room, I’ll include small touches of burgundy and muted olive greens with velvet stockings, cozy throw pillows, and maybe a soft blanket. A baby’s breath wreath will add a delicate, rustic charm. This mix of natural elements, soft colors, and elegant details will give my living room a timeless yet fresh holiday look that’s both modern and classic.

Each of our designers' dream living rooms captures the magic and warmth of the holiday season in their own unique way. By blending cherished traditions, cozy textures, and a touch of festive elegance, these spaces inspire us to create a Christmas haven that feels both welcoming and special. Whether you're drawn to rich, earthy tones, classic holiday decor, or a modern twist on tradition, we hope these ideas inspire you to bring your own holiday vision to life. This season, let your home radiate the joy, comfort, and cheer that make Christmas truly unforgettable.

Happy Thursday!