Inside: Minimalist holiday decorating tips for decorating your home this Christmas to be joyful and festive but keeps the clutter to a minimum.

One of the most popular aspect of the holidays is decorating your home in seasonal decor and accents. This is a long-standing tradition for most people, no matter what you believe or how you celebrate.

The challenge is you want to decorate for Christmas and have your home be festive and fun during the holiday season, but you don’t want the clutter. Too much decor can have the opposite effect of peace!

I love home decor and making my home a cozy, welcoming sanctuary for my family and guests. But as someone who likes a simplified, clutter free environment, the extra stuff required for holiday decorating can be overwhelming. So I’ve come up with ways to have simple touches through the house that inspire the celebration of the season but don’t overcrowd the space.

If you want to usher in the Christmas spirit into your home but not overwhelm it with too much stuff, the tips below on minimalist holiday decorating are perfect for you.

Tips for Minimalist Holiday Decorating

Decorate the mantle

The fireplace mantle is not only a focal point in most homes, it is the perfect place to display holiday cheer.

Mantle decor ideas

• Loosely drape a row of garland along the top of mantle or use evergreen leaves for a natural look. Artificial leaves are ideal to keep mess to a minimum.
• Place battery operated white candles along the garland/leaf trail
• Anchor the ends of the garland with white candles of different heights
• String a Merry Christmas (or any sentiment) banner along the bottom of mantle
• Hang or prop a framed Christmas print on the wall above
• Hang stockings. To minimize the look, only use small nails or clear Command hooks (I use the ones for up to 2 pounds to ensure a solid hold).
• Display framed family photos from Christmas past (even pics of kids scared on Santa’s lap are cute here — it doesn’t have to be glossy photos)
• The easiest, simplest decor idea of all is greenery and white battery-operated candles in different heights

Decorate the kitchen or dining room table

Your dining table is another focal point. The flat surface makes it easy to show off holiday decor and not have to deal with complicated hanging or set up of decorations.

Kitchen or dining table decor ideas

• Cover the table with a festive runner or tablecloth
• Display a wintry mix of branches and berries in a clear or white vase in the middle
• Use a tray for a curated Christmas-collection. Consider a floral or green mix, a candle, and/or a trio of tiny trees or lighted houses.

Decorate the family room

The family room is often where the magic of the season happens…casual conversations on the sofa, family movie night, and gift opening on Christmas Day. Let’s make this space warm and inviting.

Family Room Decor Ideas

• Drape cozy, holiday throw blankets over the sofa and chairs (options abound for blankets this time of year)
• Replace your usual throw pillows with holiday-inspired ones.  Feel free to mix and match, no need for perfect coordination.

Decorate the front door

The front door is the first impression for guests or passerby and can easily be done with minimalist holiday decorating. Even if the Amazon delivery person sees your front door more than anyone else, at least he will appreciate your Christmas spirit! The trick here is not to overdo it. Keep it inviting and peaceful without doing all decor ideas, just choose one or two ways to update your front porch.

Front Door Decor Ideas

• Hang a Christmas wreath on the door
• Place a holiday-themed doormat at the feet
• Flank the doorway with two large poinsettias, the quintessential holiday flower 
• Use outdoor holiday pillows if you have a front porch bench, swing or chairs
• Display two – three outdoor decor figurines such as reindeer

Decorate the kids’ rooms

Kids love the holidays and there is nothing like a child’s excitement during the Christmas season. Make their rooms simple and festive with minimalist holiday decorating touches.

Kids room Decor ideas

• Make up their beds with Christmas-print sheets
• Accessorize beds with a cozy holiday blanket and pillow (I love the ones from Target, they are affordable and cute).
• Use seasonal scented soap for their bathroom sink and bathtub like gingerbread or peppermint.
• Place holiday themed books on their nightstand or at the forefront of their bookshelf. Bonus…this inspires more reading!

Decorate the powder bath

This little area of the house is last but certainly not least. It is usually where everyone ends up at one point or another, LOL. All you need are three things to liven up this small space:

• Festive, decorative soap on the sink for washing hands with seasonal scents
• A winter-scented candle to “spruce” up the atmosphere
• Holiday hand towels hanging on the towel rack

Bath and BodyWorks has an excellent selection of seasonal hand soap and candles with so many scents and designs.

Holiday Decorating Themes

Deciding on a theme can help with minimalist holiday decorating so you stay focused on the style you love and won’t get distracted with all the different decor items in stores.

Below is a list of three specific decorating themes and the inspiration behind them. Consider what fits your style the most and stick with it throughout your home for a less cluttered, more clean approach to holiday decorating.

By applying minimalist holiday decorating to key areas of the house and limiting clutter, you can put on a Christmas playlist, enjoy a cocktail by the fire and soak in the peace of the season. Now just to handle that pesky shopping list…Happy Holidays!