Living Room Christmas Decor: 3 Looks at $50, $100, and $200
Part of our guide: Holiday Party Decorations: The Complete Guide
Most living rooms need only a few things to feel like Christmas: soft textiles, warm light, and green. This guide gives you 3 looks at 3 budgets, $50, $100, and $200, each with a shopping list and a note on where every item goes. Each look builds on the one before it, so you can start small and add more next year.
- Looks: $50 cozy basics, $100 layered, $200 full room.
- Each look builds on the last, so you can start small.
- Tree: not included in any budget.
- Zones to decorate: sofa, window, shelf or side table, and the tree corner.
- Lights: use battery lights where there is no outlet.
- Heat: keep anything that can burn at least 3 feet from a fireplace or heater.
Top Decor Picks for this Setup
Curated essentials on Amazon to help you recreate this setup easily.
Red Plaid Throw Blanket 50x60
Sofa throw.
Christmas Pillow Covers 18x18 Set of 4
Sofa pillows.
Battery String Lights 20 ft Warm White
Window and shelf.
Flameless LED Candles Set of 6
Safe candle glow.
Table of Contents
- Map your room first
- Look 1: Cozy basics for $50
- Look 2: Layered for $100
- Look 3: Full room for $200
- Window lights that look good from outside
- Safety rules for the room
- Mistakes to avoid
- Helpful safety sources
- FAQ
- Related articles
Map your room first
Walk through the room and pick 4 zones: the sofa, the window, a shelf or side table, and the tree corner. Decorate each zone with one main item rather than spreading small things everywhere. Decide on 3 colors, such as red, green, and cream, and stay with them. Leave your walking paths clear, and keep tables free for cups and remotes.
Pillows, a throw, and a few lights already change the room.
Look 1: Cozy basics for $50
| Item | Cost | Where it goes |
|---|---|---|
| 2 pillow covers | $12 | Sofa |
| Plaid throw blanket | $15 | Sofa arm |
| 6 foot garland | $10 | Side table or shelf |
| 20 feet of battery lights | $8 | Window frame |
| Set of LED candles | $5 | Side table |
| Total | $50 |
Start with the sofa: change the pillow covers and drape the throw. Then add the garland on the side table with the LED candles, and the lights around the window. Plan on about an hour.
These are planning estimates for U.S. stores, without tax and shipping. They do not include small extras such as clear clips, removable hooks, batteries, or a timer, which add about $10 in total. Skip the timer to save.
Look 2: Layered for $100
This look is the $50 look plus the items below.
| Item | Cost | Where it goes |
|---|---|---|
| Wreath for the wall or window | $18 | Above the sofa or on the window |
| Set of 4 stockings | $16 | Shelf or bookcase edge |
| Tray with ornaments | $16 | Coffee table |
| Added cost | $50 | |
| Total with Look 1 | $100 |
Hang the stockings on a shelf edge with removable hooks, since not every room has a mantel. See our Christmas mantel decorating ideas if you have one, and our Christmas coffee table decor for the tray.
Stockings on a shelf edge work when there is no mantel.
Look 3: Full room for $200
This look is the $100 look plus the items below. The tree itself is not in the budget.
| Item | Cost | Where it goes |
|---|---|---|
| Tree skirt | $20 | Under the tree |
| 50-piece ornament set | $25 | Tree |
| Two sets of tree lights | $24 | Tree |
| Velvet ribbon | $15 | Tree, wreath, and garland bows |
| Pair of large lanterns | $16 | Floor, beside the tree |
| Added cost | $100 | |
| Total with Look 2 | $200 |
Put the lights on the tree first, then the ornaments, and last the ribbon. No tree? Use the $100 look plus a pre-lit tabletop tree of about 24 inches (about $30), the ribbon ($15), and the lanterns ($16), for a total of about $161. For tree ideas see our Christmas tree decorating ideas.
The tree skirt, the ribbon, and two lanterns finish the corner.
Window lights that look good from outside
A window is the first thing a guest sees. Measure the frame first: add up the four sides. A 36 by 60 inch window is 192 inches, or 16 feet around, so a 20 foot string fits with some slack. Hang the lights with clear clips, and connect them to a timer so they turn on at dusk. For more window ideas see our Christmas window decorations.
A string of warm lights around the window frame shows from the street.
Safety rules for the room
- Heat: keep anything that can burn, such as garlands and stockings, at least 3 feet from a fireplace or heater.
- Candles: use battery candles. Real flames near garlands and fabric are a fire risk.
- Cords: do not run cords under rugs, and do not overload one outlet.
- Tree: keep it away from vents, and unplug the lights when you leave or sleep.
- Walkways: keep paths clear of cords and lanterns.
- Pets and kids: keep small ornaments and light bulbs out of reach.
Mistakes to avoid
- Decorating every surface. Pick four zones.
- Too many colors. Use three and repeat them.
- Cool white lights with warm decor. Keep the lights warm.
- Cords across the room. Use battery lights where you can.
- Buying the big items first. Start with textiles and lights.
Helpful safety sources
- NFPA: safety with candles: Fire safety tips for candles, such as keeping them away from anything that can burn. This is why we suggest battery candles.
FAQ
How do you decorate a living room for Christmas on a budget?
Start with textiles and lights: two pillow covers, a throw, a garland, battery lights, and LED candles cost about $50. Add a wreath, stockings, and a tray for $100, and the tree extras for $200.
What are the best Christmas living room decor items?
Pillow covers, a throw blanket, a garland, warm string lights, a wreath, stockings, and a tree. These cover the sofa, window, shelf, and tree corner.
How do you decorate without a mantel?
Hang stockings from a shelf or bookcase edge with removable hooks, and put a garland on a side table.
How many Christmas lights do you need for a living room window?
Measure the four sides of the frame and add them up. A 36 by 60 inch window is 16 feet around, so one 20 foot string fits with slack. Use clear clips and a timer.
Is it safe to put Christmas decor near a fireplace?
Keep anything that can burn at least 3 feet from a fireplace or heater, and use battery candles.
Is the tree included in the $200 budget?
No. The tree is extra. The $200 covers the skirt, ornaments, lights, ribbon, and lanterns, plus the earlier looks.
Related articles
- Christmas Mantel Decorating Ideas
- Christmas Coffee Table Decor Ideas
- Christmas Tree Decorating Ideas
- Christmas Entryway Decor Ideas
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Recreate This Look: Complete Supply Checklist
Every prop, decor item, and material identified in our styled photos, linked directly to top-rated supplies on Amazon.
Side table garland.
Wall or window wreath.
Shelf stockings.
For stockings.
Coffee table tray.
Tree ornaments.
Under the tree.
For the tree.
Tree and wreath bows.
Beside the tree.
Window frame clips.
Lights on at dusk.
Avoid overloaded outlets.
Safe cords on the floor.
Shelf tree.
Hold LED candles.
