20+ Christmas Decorating Ideas From HGTV Stars

Of course, HGTV stars have a penchant for design — and through the years, we've seen them come up with some fabulous holiday decorating ideas. (Think: innovative ways to use garlands and imaginative approaches to Christmas color palettes.) We think you'll be inspired, so grab a cup of cocoa and your favorite blanket, and we'll guide you through our HGTV-star-approved holiday home design ideas.

On an old episode of HGTV's Outrageous Holiday Houses, Drew Scott and his wife Linda Phan revealed the super-sweet exterior of their home in Los Angeles, which they decked out in an outrageous candy theme. Peppermint candies float below windows, gumdrops line the front door and a giant candy cane arch welcomes elves, reindeer and guests of all kinds.

HGTV's Tip: When decorating the exterior of your home for the holidays, take a cohesive approach. Avoid lawn clutter and excess decor by sticking to a single theme.

A magical mix of metallics might be just the chic-city aesthetic your space needs. Nate Berkus and Jeremiah Brent decorated the living room of their West Village apartment in New York City with the same silver, white, gold and rattan ornaments Jeremiah used to decorate the couple’s first Christmas tree, which he surprised Nate with in the dining room of this apartment years ago. (Bonus points for the sweet sentiment.)

Here's a low-lift tactic to get the most out of your holiday decor efforts: Nate and Jeremiah mix festive accessories with their year-round ones for a subtle, high-design holiday effect. In their entry, seasonal branches (olive) rest in a reclaimed stone pot. Garland, hung by Jeremiah and his son, Oskar, complements the rest of the room's greenery while playing against the aged, black-and-white Spanish tile flooring.

Of course, Chelsea and Cole DeBoer, hosts of Down Home Fab, have not just one but two flocked trees in the living room of their home in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. “They aren’t your [traditional] full trees. I love that they’re sparse,” says Chelsea. The round pots the trees sit in were a far-off idea dreamed up by Chelsea and creatively executed by Cole. (He's got major DIY skills.)

Chelsea goes big in on neutral and moody color palettes during the holidays, except in her home's entry. Sweet mini evergreens in leather pots allow her kids to get creative with their own tree decorating ideas — no theme necessary. “My favorite part of this one is [my son] Watson’s homemade ornament,” says Chelsea. “He went into the pantry, got a paper bowl, colored it and hung it on the tree with a little hook.”

“I like a more minimal look for Christmas,” says Chelsea, “But we all need a major centerpiece on our dining room tables.” Chelsea's boasts an oversized wooden bowl filled with faux garland and pinecones. Strings of wooden beads add modern charm, as do twin reindeer candle holders.

Your stockings don't need to be the same. In fact, sometimes it's cozier if they're not. Here, knitted, fuzzy and striped stockings in deep greens, browns and creams gather at one end of the DeBoer's mantle.

Oh, the tartan is so delightful — especially in Erin and Ben Napier’s holiday-ready living room in Laurel, Mississippi. The Home Town hosts subtly cloaked their softly-lit space in classic shades of red, green and gold. Earthy garland and a tartan throw bring farmhouse style, while traditional wreaths, ornaments and a star-topped tree make it classic.

HGTV's Tip: Tartan is a low-lift addition that'll bring that English-country charm to your own holiday design. Think stockings, pillows or blankets.

While on the topic of color palettes, allow us to make a case for blue. Vivid, royal and pastel shades of the happy hue brings beautiful contrast and variety into red-and-green holiday palettes. Case in point: This festive entryway HGTV Dream Home designer Brian Patrick Flynn created for his sister and her family. On the wreath, a robin's-egg blue ribbon and matching bells complement the floral wallpaper (which stays up year round).

To get the look of a pro decorator in your home, hang small wreaths at equal heights along the backs of your dining chairs like Brian did in this dining room. He used small boxwood wreaths hung with black-and-white, buffalo-check ribbon for a classic Christmas look.

Why not take one of those miniature wreaths from the dining room and hang it in the bathroom? Merry accents — like small trees, garland and holiday colors — can make even the most utilitarian space feel like part of the festivities.

Another workhorse spot to surprise guests with Christmas decor: the mudroom. Here, Brian fancied up a boot bench with a fleecy throw. Greenery and a row of mini white trees adds natural texture, while plush stockings cozy it all up.

If you've got the space, mix up your holiday themes and color palettes. In the HGTV Dream Home 2019, Brian used a new color scheme in each separate entertaining zone. For the patio seating area, he pivoted from the terra cotta-and-taupe scheme used inside to a jaunty red, white and blue combo. Greenery and a trusty cowboy hat tie the look to the indoor styling.

The Huntington Beach home of designer Jasmine Roth exudes charm for the holidays — in the most subtle way. The Help! I Wrecked My House host lined the rooflines of her California-cool home with sleek lights. Poinsettias on the outdoor tables and a glowy view of the Christmas tree inside welcome guests with warmth.

Hesitant to make holes in your walls or break out the ladder? No hanging necessary! Jasmine laid faux berry garland across the middle of her dining table, then added three glistening taper candle holders for layered holiday flair.

Sometimes, neutral colors and classic motifs are all it takes to add a hint of festivity to a space. Here, Jasmine mixed natural textures with holiday cheer: Her rustic-chic wall art harkens back to Christmas shopping from years' past.

Back in 2018, Alison Victoria, host of Windy City Rehab, had a hand in the White House Christmas decorations for HGTV's annual White House special. Though it's been a while since these sweet pears graced the garlands in the Vermeil Room, incorporating fruit into your holiday decor will always be timeless. Our personal favorite? Dried orange slices as ornaments.

From minimalism to maximalism: My Lottery Dream Home host and King of Color David Bromstad partnered with some special holiday helpers (his sisters) to transform his home into a Scandinavian-inspired abode. The living room is bursting with dozens of flocked Christmas trees, endless ornaments and garlands galore. Why not follow David's example and go all out?

In classic David fashion, bright hues shine throughout his festive design. His poppy take on classic Christmas shades of cranberry red and evergreen brings increased energy into the space. Try your own twist at home. Kelly green and tomato red, anyone?

Another tip straight from David's own home: Showcase a variety of retro and antique festive pieces like he did when decorating his tree. Maybe you have ornaments passed down from family members. If not, browse local vintage or antique stores. Or if you really want nostalgic-evoking decor that's actually new, check out HomeGoods, HomeSense or T.J.Maxx.

A winter village display (like David's) is one of the most underrated Christmas decorating hacks in the book. Simply arrange the mini homes on your mantle (or any flat surface). Instant charm!

HGTV's Tip: There's a ton of winter villages out there, but one of our favorites is the whimsical Emily Taylor for George & Viv Light-Up Holiday Village at Anthropologie. Each delicate, light-up paper home costs between $42 and $44.

Luke Caldwell of Boise Boys went all out in the living room of his family's home in Idaho. He had vintage chairs reupholstered in buffalo check fabric from JoAnn. Then, he incorporated the print into the throw pillows, tree ribbons and even the wrapping paper. Talk about sticking to a theme.

Decorating Tip: Mix and match your buffalo check: Try layering various colors and sizes, like Luke did here.

Generally, garlands are reserved for banisters, mantles, Christmas trees and home exteriors. Here, Luke proves that adding them wherever you very well please — including in the dining room — is A-OK. In fact, this design is downright darling. Another show-stopper in Luke's dining area: the prettiest poinsettia display, which Luke upcycled using a wooden plant stand.