14 Cottage Christmas Decor Ideas for a Warm, Old Fashioned Home

Sage Green Dresser of Ironstone Plates Tucked With Greens

Save

A sage green painted dresser holds rows of white ironstone plates on its open shelves. Sprigs of cedar and holly tuck behind each plate. From the top knob hangs a small boxwood wreath.

White plates make greens look extra fresh, and the effect is pure farmhouse kitchen. Tuck stems behind the plates, not in front, so the dishes stay usable. Faux holly berries last all month without dropping.

Copy it: Pull every white plate you own and lean them up on one shelf, then add greens behind. (about 30 minutes, cost $)

Popcorn and Cranberry Garland on an Old Fashioned Tree

Save

A full green tree wears long strands of popcorn and fresh cranberries, looped from branch to branch. Little red apples and paper stars hang between them. The lights are warm and simple.

Strung garlands are the heart of a cottage tree, and they make a sweet evening project. Use day old popcorn, since fresh popcorn crumbles on the needle. Keep the tree watered and away from heat if it is real, and toss the garland out for the birds in January.

Copy it: Pop a big bowl of plain popcorn tonight and leave it out to go stale until tomorrow. (about 2 hours, cost $)

Faded Patchwork Quilt Wrapped as a Tree Skirt

Save

A faded red and white patchwork quilt wraps the tree base in soft folds. Its little squares show stars and checks. Two gifts in brown paper rest on top.

Quilts bring instant cottage warmth and a sense of family history. Fold it in half first so the pattern shows best at the front. Pick a quilt you do not mind getting a few pine needles on.

Copy it: Check your linen closet for the most worn, well loved quilt you have. (about 5 minutes, cost $)

Grapevine Wreath on a Pale Blue Door

Save

A loose grapevine wreath hangs on a pale blue painted front door. Bits of cedar, rose hips, and a red gingham bow fill one side. The rest of the vine stays bare and twiggy.

Leaving part of the wreath bare looks gathered from the garden, not bought. Wire the greens to one side only, at about four o'clock, for a natural crescent. Swap the gingham for burlap in January to stretch it into winter.

Copy it: Buy a plain grapevine wreath and clip a few sprigs of greenery from the yard this weekend. (about 30 minutes, cost $)

Red Gingham Cafe Curtains in the Kitchen Window

Save

Short red and white gingham curtains hang on a tension rod across the lower half of a kitchen window. Above them, a tiny garland of dried oranges stretches across the glass. Snow falls outside.

Cafe curtains are a quick swap that changes the whole room. Use a tension rod so there is nothing to drill. Gingham feels cheerful in December and still works through February.

Copy it: Measure the width of your kitchen window and pick up a tension rod and two gingham panels. (about 15 minutes, cost $$)

Paper Snowflakes on Small Paned Windows

Save

White paper snowflakes sit in the corners of an old window with small panes. Some are big and lacy, others small and simple. Afternoon light makes them glow like frost.

Snowflakes cost nothing and make a cozy project for an evening with cocoa. Stick them on with a dab of water and a little dish soap, which wipes off clean. Fold the paper six ways, not four, for true snowflake points.

Copy it: Grab a stack of printer paper and cut three snowflakes tonight to test the look. (about 45 minutes, cost $)

Old Copper Saucepans Filled With Holly

Save

Two old copper saucepans sit on a kitchen shelf, filled with holly and red berries. The copper glows warm against the green. Their handles point out at the same angle.

Cookware as a vase is a classic cottage trick. Put a jar of water inside each pot so the copper never stains. Small dents and tarnish only make them sweeter.

Copy it: Pull one old pot from the back of your cabinet and fill it with clippings today. (about 10 minutes, cost $)

Floral Teacups Planted With Moss and Tiny Trees

Save

Three mismatched floral teacups line the windowsill, each filled with green moss. A tiny bottle brush tree stands in the middle of each one. Saucers sit underneath like little bases.

Odd teacups from thrift shops become a sweet little forest for very little money. Use sheet moss from a craft store, pressed in over a bit of floral foam. Mix florals and solid colors so they look collected.

Copy it: Look in your cabinet for three teacups that do not match and set them on a sill. (about 20 minutes, cost $)

Rose Chintz Pillows Mixed With Red Plaid

Save

A cream sofa holds a pair of faded rose chintz pillows next to a red plaid one. Over the back lies a crocheted throw. The mix looks like it came together over many winters.

Florals and plaid together are what make cottage style feel lived in. Keep both in the same red family so they talk to each other. One plaid to two florals is a safe ratio.

Copy it: Swap one everyday pillow for a plaid cover and see how your florals look next to it. (about 5 minutes, cost $$)

Single White Taper Glowing in Each Window

Save

Every front window holds one white taper candle in a simple brass holder. From the street, the house glows with small points of light. Sprigs of boxwood circle each base.

One candle per window is an old tradition that says welcome home. Battery tapers on timers are the safe pick, since curtains sit right beside them. If you do use real flame, only light them while you are in the room.

Copy it: Count your front windows and buy one flameless taper with a timer for each. (about 10 minutes, cost $$)

Almond Roofed Gingerbread House on the Table

Save

A homemade gingerbread house sits on a wooden board in the middle of the kitchen table. Its roof is shingled with sliced almonds and dusted with powdered sugar snow. Tiny rosemary trees stand in the yard.

Gingerbread smells like the holidays and doubles as a weekend project with the kids. Kits make it simpler, and lopsided walls only add personality. Stand rosemary sprigs in royal icing for little trees that smell amazing.

Copy it: Pick up a gingerbread kit and a small pack of rosemary on your next grocery run. (about 2 hours, cost $)

Chunky Knit Stockings on a White Painted Mantel

Save

Four chunky knit stockings in cream and red hang from a white painted mantel. Each one is a little different, with stripes, cables, or a simple heel. A cedar garland runs above them.

Mismatched knits look handmade and passed down, even if they are new. Hang them at slightly different heights for a relaxed look. Fill the toes with tissue so they keep their shape.

Copy it: Look for knit stockings in two colors only and mix the patterns freely. (about 15 minutes, cost $$)

Cast Iron Kettle and Stacked Logs on the Hearth

Save

A black cast iron kettle sits on the stone hearth beside a neat stack of split logs. On the other side, a basket of pinecones waits. The whole scene feels like a winter afternoon a century ago.

Hearth styling works even if you never light a fire. Stack logs with the cut ends facing out for that neat woodpile look. With a working fireplace, keep the logs and basket a safe distance from the opening.

Copy it: Buy one bundle of firewood and stack it beside your hearth or stove this weekend. (about 15 minutes, cost $)

Dried Hydrangeas Tucked Into the Tree

Save

Pale green and dusty pink dried hydrangea heads tuck between the branches of a Christmas tree. They sit deep, like big soft blooms. Small gold ornaments catch the light around them.

Dried flowers are a cottage garden favorite and add softness no ornament can. Cut the heads from the garden in fall and hang them upside down to dry. Florist shops also sell dried hydrangeas if your garden is bare.

Copy it: Clip three hydrangea heads, or buy a dried bunch, and tuck them into the front of your tree. (about 15 minutes, cost $$)

Save This for Later

Save