I love creating spaces that just feel good. You know, the spaces that feel like you are wrapped up in a hug, that make you feel relaxed and welcome. Holiday decor has many varieties, but I have one favorite style. Today, I want to show you some ambient and cozy holiday decor ideas that will bring joy to your season and comfort to your spaces.
Now, cozy means different things to different people. For the maximalists, cozy could mean something a la Josh Young. Something that is nearly filled to the brim with charm and treasures. The thrifters out there might fall into this category, having amassed treasures from many lifetimes.
I consider myself a mediumist. I like a healthy amount of charm, but I need room to breathe. I don’t want to feel smothered or like the walls are closing in on me…even if those walls are filled with beautiful things:-) I also like a neutral base with a light dusting of color. Calming, with little pops of joy with color. So for this article, that’s my design perspective, but feel free to adjust to your enjoyment in your at home application. There are no wrong answers, just personal preference!
18 Ambient & Cozy Holiday Decor Ideas
My goal is to lean into pure hygge: the Scandinavian philosophy that our interiors should be comfortable, cozy, and create feelings of contentment and wellbeing. BINGO.
1.Lit Winter Village
True story: after writing this article I am heading to my local Home Goods to buy one of these. A tonal winter village lit from within creates such wonderful feelings of nostalgia and magic.
2.Tree Simplicity
I really need to dedicate an entire post on Christmas tree decor. I have many thoughts on what will give us the hygge-est look, and they all center around simplicity. From choosing a tree with distinct branches, to not over decorating her, we want our tree to feel like it could be dropped right into a Nordic cabin in the woods with a roaring fire and pot of soup going on the stove. Can you feel it? That’s what we want. We want the simplicity and joy of Christmas before it was erased by too many layers of garland and fuss. Also: white lights. Always.
3.Lit Topiaries
Leaning into our Nordic cabin inspiration, placing a few small lit topiaries (this one is rosemary from Target) will bring more green that’s not pine and also feel more down to earth.
4.Pared Down Mantel
Simplicity. I’m going to keep saying it so we get it. We’re going for simplicity with our materials, colors, and design. Your mantel doesn’t have to be doing the most. Just let it breathe a bit; it will actually feel more warm and cozy. Think about it: do you ever feel warm and cozy in a crowd? I’m warm because I’m sweating. It’s not the same.
5.Mirrors
When you place a mirror behind a candle or anything lit (garland, topiary, winter village, etc), it magnifies it and makes your ambiance that much more powerful.
6.Charming DIYs
Some trees look extra fussy and fancy. While that works for some, my perspective is that I want your home to feel like people live there. I want guests to interact with what you have. A tree that is overly decorated will feel too formal. And would you wear your flannel pajamas and sherpa slippers in a formal setting? Nope. So for our purposes, lean into handmade, even imperfection! Get the little ones involved if you have them. Everyone’s welcome here! That’s the message we are sending:-)
7.Wooden Decor
Many of these cozy holiday decor ideas include elements in nature. I love the look of wooden decor such as trees, winter villages, etc. It’s super charming and adds a whimsical scene.
8.Woodland Creatures
These aren’t your mamas wooden ducks, ya’ll! Adding a few wooden reindeer here and there add to our feel of cozy Nordic nights.
9.Mercury Glass
Mercury glass is a classic for a reason. It’s used in intimate settings like dinners, weddings, and bedrooms. Its subtle twinkle is unmatched.
10.Candlesticks
I feel like I’m the only one in the world who is *so stressed out* by candlesticks. Even adding them to this list stresses me out. I feel like they are just a fire waiting to happen. But alas, most people love them and while I don’t use them personally, I do think they are beautiful. But please, be careful. Kids, pets, flammable surroundings, it’s all just one big hazard.
11.Multiple Textures
Create groupings like this by pairing a heavy wood with a light texture. This adds layers and layers mean extra coziness.
12.Vintage Ornaments
Vintage or mismatched ornaments add to the classic feeling of the holidays, especially in a red palette. It feels nostalgic and makes your heart soften.
14.Rain Lights
Adding these to the windows of your homes literally makes your home MAGICAL.
15.Tonal Ornaments
This year, I’m leaning towards tonal ornaments in warm palettes. We’re talking champagne golds, coppers, etc. Also, I’m craving more simplicity so let’s decorate with less ornaments than we typically would. Give the tree itself room to breathe and be.
16.Metallic Ornaments
Holiday sparkle. There are many ways to achieve this and they all work in harmony. Creating cozy holiday decor means adding small special bits of reflection to create a magical atmosphere.
17.Minimalist Mantel
A lit garland that is just focused on the greenery instead of added pinecones, snow, etc will do the trick here.
18.Tiny Votives
Are you seeing a theme here? We are taking small element and repeating them to create ambient and cozy holiday decor. Place tiny votives (perhaps instead of fire-inducing candlesticks?!?!) on coffee tables, dining tables, mantels, etc. Use candles to add ambiance to dark corners of your home.
Now remember, you don’t need to do everything on this list–because that would literally go against what we are trying to achieve. We are looking for a pared down and grounded holiday, rooted in what’s important. So browse the list, pick what resonates with you, and do that but do less than you normally would. See how it feels:-) Happy hygge-ing!