HGTV Designers Decorate for the Holidays

Get tips and tricks for transforming your home into the perfect holiday escape with inspiration from HGTV's top designers.

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December 13, 2018

By: Ellie Sanders

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Photo By: Rachel Whyte

Photo By: Robert Peterson, Rustic White Photography

Photo By: Rachel Whyte

Photo By: Robert Peterson, Rustic White Photography

Photo By: Zach DeSart

Photo By: Robert Peterson, Rustic White Photography

Photo By: Robert Peterson, Rustic White Photography

Photo By: Robert Peterson, Rustic White Photography

Photo By: Ken Cedeno/Getty Images

Photo By: Zach DeSart

Photo By: Robert Peterson, Rustic White Photography

Photo By: Joshua Roberts ©HGTV/Scripps Networks

Photo By: Flynnside Out

Photo By: Robert Peterson, Rustic White Photography

Photo By: Robert Peterson, Rustic White Photography

Photo By: Brian Patrick Flynn

Photo By: Zach DeSart

Photo By: Ken Cedeno/Verbatim Photo Agency

Photo By: Flynnside Out Productions

Photo By: Jason Kisner © 2013, DIY Network/Scripps Networks, LLC. All Rights Reserved.

Photo By: Robert Peterson, Rustic White Photography

Photo By: Ken Cedeno/Getty Images

Photo By: Rachel Whyte

Photo By: Robert Peterson, Rustic White Photography

Photo By: Ken Cedeno/Getty Images

Photo By: Rachel Whyte

Photo By: Robert Peterson, Rustic White Photography

Photo By: Rachel Whyte

Photo By: Robert Peterson, Rustic White Photography

Photo By: Zach DeSart

Photo By: Robert Peterson, Rustic White Photography

Photo By: Joshua Roberts ©HGTV/Scripps Networks

Photo By: Brian Patrick Flynn

Photo By: Zach DeSart

Photo By: Robert Peterson, Rustic White Photography

Photo By: Robert Peterson, Rustic White Photography

Photo By: Robert Peterson, Rustic White Photography

Photo By: Brian Patrick Flynn, FlynnsideOut

Photo By: Robert Peterson, Rustic White Photography

Photo By: Brian Patrick Flynn

Photo By: Brian Patrick Flynn, FlynnsideOut

A Farmhouse Christmas

Chip and Jo's bed and breakfast has been completely transformed for the holiday season. A large Christmas tree is trimmed in white, silver and gold ornaments. Evergreen boughs tied with burlap ribbon hang on the black front door, as birch pieces filled with seasonal greenery adorn the coffee table, giving the space ample holiday flair.

Set a New Scene

When decorating for the holidays, don't forget the outdoors! Brian Patrick Flynn decked this outdoor fireplace in ample sprigs of greenery and various glass ball ornaments. A white reindeer, patterned ribbon and a lone (and somewhat scraggly!) pine tree complete the outdoor lounge.

From: Brian Patrick Flynn

The Scott Brothers Take on the Holidays

The brothers do it all. And yes, that includes creating killer holiday displays. From shimmering wreaths to light-filled trees, their Christmas decor is filled with the best of the best. If you prefer classical holiday decor, then Drew and Jonathan are the talent you should be mimicking.

Green-Themed Mantel

Bottlebrush trees are a must when decorating for Christmas, and apparently, Chip and Joanna agree. This green-themed mantel in their bed and breakfast is decked in sparkling trees, green glass votives and just a touch of greenery. A sign displays the season's greetings, creating a simple yet polished holiday display.

Leave No Surface Behind

Brian Patrick Flynn created dazzling decor by giving every nook and cranny a splash of holiday fun. By hanging small glass balls from a decorative mount, Brian added just a touch of Christmas whimsy. And adding greenery to the table top and layering soft throws on the furniture ensures a perfectly cozy holiday home.

From: Brian Patrick Flynn

Fixer Upper Family Christmas

Decorating Fixer Upper style is easier than you may think. In her signature understated-but-wow-worthy style, Joanna trims the family's tree in simple ornaments and bright white lights. Evergreen boughs adorn the table, giving the space a warm but clean appearance.

From: HGTV Magazine

Expand Your Entertaining Areas

With a little creativity, the designers of HGTV Dream Home created gathering areas all over the house, inside and out. A couple of chairs (piled with festive pillows and layered with throws, of course) and a few decorative accents are all it took to fashion an inviting nook right beside the front door.

From: Brian Patrick Flynn

Keep It Casual

No need for formal dining: Buffet-style entertaining, from brunch to desserts, is easier on the host and, often, more fun for the guests. Brian Patrick Flynn took this to heart when decorating this space. Festive candles sit on silver stands, drawing the eye to the table without obstructing any views (or space for setting the food!). Make it bold and beautiful with red dinnerware, Christmassy napkins and plenty of faux trees.

From: Brian Patrick Flynn

Go Green

To add a splash of holiday cheer, one of the cheapest and easiest ways is to use greenery—and lots of it! Brian Patrick Flynn turned this method into magic when decorating this mountain retreat. The stately dining table is covered in drooping pine branches that complement the other greenery sprinkled throughout the room.

From: Brian Patrick Flynn

Whimsy + Christmas Charm

The designers of the White House holiday decor chose to use a variety of colors to deck this grand space. Rich hues and various-sized ornaments create a whimsical atmosphere.

Understated Decor

Spreading holiday cheer throughout every room is a must, but that doesn't mean you need to place a towering pine in every space. In Chip and Joanna's master bedroom, a tasteful strand of garland and a few glass ornaments decorate the mantel, giving the room just the right amount of festive flair.

From: HGTV Magazine

Welcome in Nature

Greenery, pinecones, branches: These natural elements look right at home against any decorating or color scheme. Designer Brian Patrick Flynn drapes a garland across the back of the headboard and tiny woodland creatures nestle in the needles for a nature-filled display. Thanks to the simplicity and versatility of the decor, this is a display you can keep up all winter long.

From: Brian Patrick Flynn

Draped in the Season's Best

When it comes to creating a festive mantel, the designers of the White House Christmas decor know what they're doing. Decked in all the usual colors of the season, this fireplace is draped in greenery and accented with red, gold and silver ornaments, creating a quintessential Christmas look.

Add the Holidays to Your Bedroom

Designer Brian Patrick Flynn added a few simple decorations to this bedroom, and the effect is magical. Small wreaths hang on the windows, boughs of greenery are placed throughout the space and black ornaments hang on the antlers near the windows. Whether it's just a splash of festive color or small-scale holiday shapes, there are effective ways to add seasonal decor to your bedroom with little to no effort.

From: Brian Patrick Flynn

Mixed Metallics + Textures

Evergreen garlands, adorned with gold and silver ornaments and ribbons, embellish the expansive banister drawing the eye to the lofty ceilings. Jonathan Scott used mixed metallics and textures to decorate the tree and the remainder of his living room. Tiny gold reindeers bring a touch of the holidays into the open-concept kitchen, ensuring that the entire space is filled with Christmas cheer.

Go Vertical

Looking for new holiday decor? Shop your home and use what you have. Something as simple as a wreath hanging from a window frame, a red apron on a hook, or even a tall cutting board leaning against the wall will help create height in your decorating scheme, providing scale and variety for a more dynamic look. HGTV designers created a festive-looking kitchen without using any tinsel or ornaments, and we think it's a winning look.

From: Brian Patrick Flynn

Create a “Frame”

Some spots in the home lend themselves to symmetrical design schemes. Case in point: A desk set in front of a window. By flanking the window with a pair of branch "trees," designer Brian Patrick Flynn drew attention to the sparkling wreath hanging against the glass and the mini desk-top forest.

From: Brian Patrick Flynn

Fruit-Filled Festivites

Egypt Sherrod places a clove-spiced orange on the mantel in the Red Room of the White House. The room features fruits and pollinators, representing healthy eating. Wreaths made of lemons and garlands made of limes will line the walls of the Green Room. Oranges, apples and pomegranates will mix with greens to create wreaths in the Red Room, along with gift boxes made out of cranberries.

Charming Holiday Display

Using every piece of furniture as part of your decor is something Brian Patrick Flynn does extremely well. This buffet is not only used for an impromptu mantel, but also a place to display elegant holiday touches. Gold candlesticks and a candelabra sit amongst mercury glass figurines and a charming reindeer statue, giving the display a charming yet decidedly holiday appeal.

Festive Fixer Upper

White shiplap-covered walls are a great backdrop when decorating for the holidays— the possibilities are endless. Chip and Jo's living room is the perfect example of this. A festive garland wraps the banister from which red and white stockings hang. Bright pillows adorn the couch and weathered wood trees sit atop a shelf filled with Christmas goodies. Small decorative changes in a neutral space go a long way. Even if your walls aren't covered in shiplap or neutral colors, you can still be inspired by Joanna's minimalist decor style.

From: HGTV Magazine

Shimmering Splendor

Alison Victoria stands with volunteers as they put together decorations for a White House Christmas display. The stately fireplace is covered in a plush, greenery-filled garland that's lit to perfection with bright lights. The Christmas tree is covered in an assortment of gold ornaments and ribbons, making it simply shine with a festive glow.

Americana Holiday

In another one of his expertly designed spaces, Brian Patrick Flynn brings Americana Christmas charm to life. By using a range of antiques with aged finishes along with layers of bright and muted reds, Brian created a classic look that fits the season well. The best part? With a few adjustments, this mantel can be transformed into a year-round display.

From: Brian Patrick Flynn

Rustic Retreat

The editors at HGTV.com created this rustic living room look. Stockings are hung on the mantel with care while decorative trees, candles and greenery draw the eye to the star topping the fireplace. Not only is this look achieved very simply, a mantel dressed like this gives you the option of having a tree look-alike without spending the money on a real pine.

Stay on the Level

To get the look of a pro decorator in your home, hang small wreaths at equal heights along the backs of your dining chairs. Brian Patrick Flynn used small boxwood wreaths along with buffalo plaid ribbon to finish off a classic Christmas look in this dining room.

From: Brian Patrick Flynn

Dreaming of a White Christmas

The designers of the White House Christmas decor created an enchanting holiday scene in the East Colonnade. The colonnade is lined with hanging paper snowflakes ushering one's eye to the stately Christmas tree at the end of the hallway.

Light the Way

Designers of HGTV Dream Home were sure to decorate the outside of the home just as much as the inside. Lining the driveway with luminaries, like the ones shown above or even a string of large outdoor lights, creates a magical entrance to your holiday-laden home. Hang a few lanterns in the trees for extra glow come dusk.

From: Brian Patrick Flynn

Charming the Holidays

Drew and Jonathan have a way of combining traditional and trendy in every space they design. Christmas decor is no exception. Nutcrackers and a figurine sit atop a floating mantel—the perfect mix of classic and modern. The themed tree, standing behind the brothers, is decked in a variety of shapes, sizes and items but all in the same shade to create one cohesive look.

Dining With the Tree

Joanna brought the best of the season into her dining room. A tall Christmas tree is trimmed in the brightest shades of the season. The farmhouse table is decked in mercury glass candle holders, and each plate is surrounded by a ring of garland and seasonal berries. Don't forget the chandelier! Covered in matching greenery, the light fixture ties into the space well, giving the room a cohesive look and ultra-Christmassy feel.

Make It Merry

Even the most utilitarian space (like an entryway bench) can sparkle with the season if you add some special touches. Here, Brian Patrick Flynn used a fleecy throw to fancy up the boot bench; greenery and a row of sparkly white mini trees help define the ledge atop a half wall, and a line of stockings promise a special night to come.

From: Brian Patrick Flynn

Behind the Scenes With Genevieve

Genevieve Gorder places one last ornamental ribbon on a tree in the Library Room at the White House. Surrounding her is a forest of seven trees all decorated with the theme of reading and the importance of books.

All Tied Up With Ribbon

For the Christmas tree in the living room, Joanna Gaines opted for a monochromatic approach— white and silver ornaments, simple white lights and a ribbon garland. A design like this is packed with pure Christmas magic.

Make a Grand Entrance

Lighted garlands and wreaths are an easy way to define your doorway and create instant drama. At HGTV Dream Home, Brian Patrick Flynn used battery-powered faux greenery that could be used year after year to reduce waste and extension cord hassles.

From: Brian Patrick Flynn

Don't Forget the Chandelier

This chandelier has received the royal Christmas treatment. The wrought iron light fixture showcases candle-looking bulbs, which are bundled in layers of greenery and bright red berries. A special touch such as this could only have been designed by the Fixer Upper queen herself, Joanna Gaines.

Dress Another Tree

Treat secondary living spaces to their very own trees—it’s a great chance to branch out from your main decorating color scheme and style to try something new and different. In this bonus room, Brian Patrick Flynn used cool blues and swaths of silver to create a glam look on the tree and at the window, with a large white wreath.

From: Brian Patrick Flynn

Gingerbread Replacements

Quaint gingerbread houses sit atop an industrial-style chest of drawers, creating a darling yet minimalistic festive touch. Joanna's endearing way of decorating for the holidays can be spotted just about anywhere.

From: HGTV Magazine

Match the Room

Ornate trimmings might look out of place in a room as simple and streamlined as this one, but that doesn’t mean you can’t add some holiday cheer. Brian Patrick Flynn used black watch pillows that act as a rich, wintery addition to the tailored bedding. An ultra-simple garland, sprinkled with pinecones, draped across the headboard lends softness and a hint of nature.

From: Brian Patrick Flynn

A Bookworm's Christmas

If you're a bookworm, this may be just the inspiration you were looking for. The East Garden Room in the White House showcases stacked books that creatively form a Christmas tree. To create a cohesive showcase, the adjacent faux trees were decked in similarly colored ornaments and trimmings.

Wintry Luxe Holiday

Forget the reds, greens and golds — opt for something bolder this holiday season. Though small in stature, this 9-foot-by-10-foot dining space was given a woodland-inspired look by none other than Brian Patrick Flynn. By mixing dark, pine green, charcoal and neutral brown-gray, the room looks rich and inviting. It's a look that's quintessential to the holiday season, but also works well in a year-round space.

From: Brian Patrick Flynn

Fake a Mantel

If you have no fireplace, and therefore no mantel, take a note from designer Brian Patrick Flynn and fake one! Pianos and organs offer a similar height as a mantel and provide enough depth to layer a variety of textural elements. Not only does this create the perfect place to hang stockings, but it adds holiday charm to any space.

White, Pink + Festive All Over

For a different take on Christmas trees this year, opt for a brightly color, mostly white tree for an eye-catching feature. HGTV designers decorated a faux, white Christmas tree in bright, shimmery ornaments and topped the tree with a unique purple piece. To make it even more special, a silver wagon was used as a tree stand and satin fabric as a tree skirt.

From: Brian Patrick Flynn

No Space Left Behind

From the stunning tree to the festive garland, Jonathan Scott gave every area of his spacious living room a little bit of holiday cheer. Even the wrought iron chandelier, that hangs in the middle of the space, was decked with sprigs of greenery and dazzling ornaments, creating an eye-catching, seasonal fixture.

The Perfect View

Decking the halls doesn't just mean the tree and the fireplace. Chip and Joanna bring the holiday season into their kitchen with an over-the-sink wreath. The look is understated but festive — the perfect combination.

From: HGTV Magazine

Wake Up the Bathroom

If you want Christmas cheer to follow you wherever you go, don't forget to add some decor to the bathroom. Designer Brian Patrick Flynn used a miniature wreath and some merry accents to make even the most utilitarian space feel like part of the festivities.

From: Brian Patrick Flynn

Take the Long View

A stately living room such as this one deserves stately holiday decor. HGTV designers gave this living room exactly what it needed. Three Christmas trees are outlined by the wall of windows and decorated in shades of bronze, burnt orange and gold. The tree trimmings coordinate with the decor used throughout the remainder of the space in a perfectly endearing way.

From: Brian Patrick Flynn

Frame the Picture

Garlands can be used for more than mantels and doorways. This outdoor space is decked to perfection with a large flocked-evergreen garland. A cheery banner hangs between the rafters sharing a greeting of the season. The accessories used throughout this space by HGTV designers create a charming atmosphere without detracting from the outstanding view beyond.

From: Brian Patrick Flynn

Modern Woodland Tree

Unique textures and materials cover the entirety of this woodland-inspired Christmas tree. Designer Brian Patrick Flynn used an understated and neutral color scheme when selecting tree trimmings. Wool garlands, white tree branches and a variety of silver-hued ornaments deck the branches to create a balanced look.

From: Brian Patrick Flynn

Set the Scene

The designers of this space were sure to make the decor as dramatic as the architecture. By using identical wreaths on each of the windows, the living room acquires an eye-catching quality. A flocked tree, dressed in bright white lights, warms the otherwise all-white space in the most perfect way. Other quintessential holiday accessories sprinkled throughout the space ensure the room feels light yet festive.

From: Brian Patrick Flynn

Pretty in Purple

Designer Brian Patrick Flynn decked this mantel in easy-going, feminine decor. Upcycled cans have been covered in black paint and used as mini vases for small sprigs of greenery. Wood slice garlands drape from the mantel adding a woodland vibe. Various purple accents are used in the decor to complement the art piece that sits atop the display.

From: Brian Patrick Flynn

Festive + Floral

Egypt Sherrod places the finishing touch on a Christmas tree in the Diplomatic Reception Room of the White House. The theme for the holiday celebrations: "The Gift of the Holidays," celebrating all of the reasons we give and receive during the holiday season. Red berries and a variety of red and pink flowers are tucked in the surrounding trees for a festive finishing touch.

Stunning Exterior

The exterior of Jonathan Scott's home is almost as beautiful as the interior. Icicle lights hang from the eaves, creating a picture-perfect outline of the house as a wreath and garland adorn the garage and the entryway. A few trees are wrapped in white lights creating a tasteful, holiday display.

Breakfast With a Side of Holiday

With only eight feet of width to work with, Brian Patrick Flynn gave this breakfast nook a Christmastime makeover. A wreath on the window, Christmas tree figurine on the table and the red and white textures draped over the chairs all add the perfect touch of holiday cheer.

From: Brian Patrick Flynn

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