14 Festive Living Room Ideas From The Country Living Archives

An abundantly decorated living room in the home of Leah and Rupert Lane – have a look at the rest of their festive Georgian farmhouse, it’s truly something to behold. The ceiling, festooned with vibrant streamers, is a real conversation-starter. “A friend of mine decorated her ceiling with streamers for Christmas but never took them down,” explains Leah, “and I liked the idea of a permanent party room.”

Colourful and thrifty paper chains are used in the family room of this 19th-century house in Berkshire. The shelf holds a collection of Santas and nostalgic wooden toys surround by fairy lights that go up on 1 December, “and stay until the clocks go forward in spring!” says homeowner Jules.

A beautifully embroidered Advent calendar makes a pleasing (and planet-friendly) alternative to the disposable variety. Fill each day with a surprise – it’s hard to beat chocolate, but there is joy in getting creative with something handmade like an invite to a seasonal activity, or a note from Santa…

Even the smallest of touches can be magical. A wreath hung with ribbon – they’re not just for the front door – a sweet bow tied to a wall light, and a pair of nutcracker figurines standing to attention on the windowsill is plenty.

In the home of artist Molly Mahon, the pink shade on the living room walls – Parsonage Pink by Papers & Paints – feel remarkably Christmassy, especially once it’s time to bring the fir tree and armfuls of evergreen foliage inside. Bows fashioned from leftover fabrics, flowers and fairtrade paper garlands are a natural take on festive decorations. “To store, carefully wind them around a kitchen roll tube until next year,” she says.

A DIY project to keep little ones busy in the run-up to Christmas. These lovely articulated characters can perch on picture frames, mirrors and windowsills. They were made by tracing images from a children’s Christmas book and fixing together with a split pin.

In the warm and welcoming living room of fashion journalist Louise Roe, decorations have been collected from her own garden. “Natural decorations are top of our list – I love having a real tree covered with twinkling lights and bring berries, ivy and holly in from the garden to fill pots and vases and drape around pictures all over the house,” says Louise. “I also fill bowls with bonbons and amaretti and keep them refreshed all month.”

Birch branches are a fine alternative to Christmas trees, and when presented as Sarah Raven has – as tall as the ceiling and threaded through with fairy lights and colourful baubles – it feels wonderfully rustic.

This garland is made up of both real and faux elements, and the mix is a handy one. Use the flexible faux garland to create the right shape and fasten in place, adding real fern branches and ivy to make it fuller.

It’s not all red and gold. This cheerful living room makes a compelling case for using lots of colour at Christmas. Set an upbeat tone with a rainbow of ribbons and paper honeycombs – they work surprisingly well beside traditional glass baubles.

When her children were little, artist Molly Mahon made each of them a stocking from fabric offcuts, but they have recently benefitted from stylish handmade upgrades. Molly sells similar ones (among many other dreamy Christmas decorations) from her online store, mollymahon.com.

Garlands, LED candles, bells and paper doves surround the fireplace of Leah Lane’s farmhouse. “Decorating at Christmas is about a more-is-more approach for me. It’s about bringing the outside in. Plus, plenty of stripes and lights – the more, the better!” says homeowner Leah.

For tiny rooms that still deserve decoration. This lovely stout tree sits out of the way, and out of reach of little hands or curious pets…