How to Decorate For A Simple Country Christmas

There’s something special about decorating for Christmas in a way that feels calm, cozy, and lived-in.

This year, much like every year, I leaned into a simple country Christmas style, nothing overdone or fussy, just warm touches that make our keeping room feel welcoming. I wanted to share a few photos and ideas with you in case you’re looking to create the same comfortable charm in your own home.

Start With The Natural Look Of Greenery

Greenery is the easiest way to add instant Christmas warmth, especially if you’re aiming for a simple country look. I used a faux garland with little red berries to drape across the mantel. The soft green tones add life to the room without feeling crowded or busy.

If you happen to have evergreens in your yard, even better. Nothing says “country Christmas” like a handful of cedar tucked into a pitcher.

 

Add a Touch of Red (But Keep It Subtle)

I kept my reds simple this season. As I mentioned earlier there are tiny red berries in the mantel garland and I also added cedar red berry picks into the branches of the tree and along the garland on the stairs. The tiny pops of red add that classic Christmas feeling without taking over the room.

If bold red isn’t your style, try muted tones or textured pieces that hint at the holiday without shouting it.

Use Everyday Items as Decor

Country Christmas decorating is all about working with what you already have. In my keeping room, I used simple pieces—wooden bowls, crockery, pottery, and baskets—as part of the Christmas décor. Adding greenery or a small ornament to things you already have out brings the room into the season without starting from scratch.

 It also keeps everything feeling natural and not overly styled.

 

Let the Room Tell Your Story

My favorite thing about decorating for Christmas is how personal it is. Every piece in your home has a story, and Christmas decorating should highlight that, not hide it. Whether it’s a handmade stocking, a thrifted find, or a wreath you’ve used for years, those little sentimental touches make the space feel like your home. 

These primitive style stockings trimmed in black are perfect for my old fashioned Christmas story and I look forward to using them in different ways for years to come.

Keep the Color Palette Soft and Warm

For a simple country Christmas, I tend to stick with warm whites, soft greens, wood tones, and just a sprinkle of red. It keeps the whole space feeling peaceful, especially in a room where we spend so much time as a family.

This softer palette also lets the natural textures, wood, greenery, baskets, and stoneware really shine.

Create Cozy Moments Around the Room

One of my favorite parts of decorating the keeping room is making little cozy corners. A candle glowing on the mantel, a small wreath hanging from a hook, a throw on the arm of the chair… these small touches make the room feel lived-in and inviting.

The black pattern on this throw matches the trim on the primitive stockings hanging from the mantel.

A small, simple touch of Christmas, an unlit candle that still feels warm and inviting. This is The Round Candlestick Holder from the shop.

 

I carried the black theme from my throw and stockings to my tree by adding classic black velvet ribbons tied in bows.

Another way to add natural touches for Christmas is with fruit. I filled my large stoneware mixing bowl with oranges and added a natural looking faux sprig of greenery.

Subtle touches of faux greenery among my pewter is a simple way to add Christmas charm to an everyday piece of furniture.

I have a sprig of greenery in the top of my stack of antique wooden bowls. Again, a touch of Christmas added to the everyday.

I got this Norfolk Pine garland, I believe, last year. The red berry vine, I've had for several years and love it! Together, they look so natural. I have looked for these berry picks to add to the shop and haven't been able to find these exact ones. I love that they are kind of curly, just like a real vine.  

A touch of greenery added to a little basket and captured in the warm glow of the winter sun.

I love decorating with old brown leather books anytime throughout the year, but there's something about them that seems to go perfectly with Christmas. 

The warmth and texture of old leather books adds so much character.

A Simple Country Christmas Is All About Comfort

At the end of the day, a simple country Christmas is less about “perfect decorating” and more about creating a room that feels warm, welcoming, and genuine. I hope these photos give you a few ideas and inspire you to create your own cozy, peaceful space this season.

If you try any of these ideas in your home, I’d love to hear about it or see a picture!

 

Blessings,

Tammie