Classic and Cozy Dining Room Decorating Ideas for Christmas

Are you ready to deck the halls? Get inspired to refresh your dining room for the holiday season with these simple and festive Christmas decorating ideas.

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Inspiring Ideas for Holiday Decorating

The countdown to Christmas is on and I’m excited to over 20 of my blogging friends for the Blogger’s Best Holiday Home Tour co-hosted by Kelly at Lazy Girl’s Garden Club and Mansa at This Is Simplicite.

New tours will be added throughout the week, so I hope you’ll check back often for all the holiday inspiration.

You can find each tour linked at the bottom of my post, so don’t forget to take time and visit them all!

If you’ve toured our home before, then you know that our dining room is hands-down one of my favorite spots to decorate in our home.

And if you’ve got a formal dining room, Christmas is the perfect time to freshen it up with a few simple decorating ideas to make it feel warm and inviting.

Whether you’re hosting Christmas dinner, a casual Christmas morning brunch, a festive cookie exhange with friends, or even a New Year’s eve party, the dining room is the heart of your home during the holiday season.

I’m excited to share some of my best Christmas decorating ideas to help you make your dining room feel truly magical.

From setting a festive table to decorating a cozy cocoa bar, creating cheerful Christmas vignettes, and more.

So grab a Christmas mug, pour yourself a cup of cocoa, and join me for some simple and affordable holiday dining room decorating ideas.

Table of Contents

• Inspiring Ideas for Holiday Decorating
• Classic Dining Room Decorating Ideas: Choosing a Christmas Color Scheme
  • Festive Christmas Color Schemes to Try
• Setting a Very Merry Dining Room Table
  • Building Layers for an Elegant Look
  • Styling the Perfect Place Setting
  • Creating a Holiday Centerpiece
• Christmas Dining Room Decorating Made Cozy: Hot Cocoa Bar Styling Ideas
  • Stocking Your Hot Cocoa Bar
  • Sweetening Your Set Up with Free Hot Cocoa Bar Tags
• More Dining Room Decorating Ideas for Christmas Cheer
  • Garlands and Wreaths
  • Holiday Vignettes
  • Christmas Trees
• Seamless Christmas Decorating Ideas: How to Coordinate Your Dining Room with the Rest of Your Home
• Shop The Post
• Wrapping Up: Joyful Christmas Decorating Ideas for Your Dining Room
• Bloggers’ Best Holiday Home Tours
• Did You Enjoy this Post? PIN It for Later!

Classic Dining Room Decorating Ideas: Choosing a Christmas Color Scheme

When it comes to decorating ideas for your dining room, start by choosing a color scheme for Christmas that feels warm and welcoming.

Even if you love sticking to the same colors every year it’s always a good idea to take stock of the decor you already have before you start decking the halls.

This way, you can focus on the look you’re most drawn to while avoiding buying Christmas decorations you don’t actually need.

Or, if you’e like me and enjoy changing up your decor from time to time, doing an inventory can make the decorating process a lot more enjoyable and a lot less stressful!

Festive Christmas Color Schemes to Try

I’ve tried several different holiday looks over the years, so if you need some ideas for decorating your dining room, these are a few of my favorite Christmas color schemes:

• Red and White – Decorating with red and white for Christmas is always a timeless combination and one of my favorites!
• Green and Blue – You bring the outdoors in with a Christmas color scheme of deep green and navy blue.
• Green and Gold – For a more sophisticated look try a green and gold holiday color scheme.

• Red and Gold – A traditional red and gold combination paired with Chistmas plaid is another favorite of mine.
• Red and Blue – Or add a twist on the classic Christms colors like I chose this year with a color palette of red, white and navy blue.

Whatever colors you choose they’re sure to make your dining room feel festive and joyful for the holidays season.

Setting a Very Merry Dining Room Table

I love styling tablescapes for different holidays, especially for Christmas, and over the years, I’ve created quite a few.

From choosing the perfect linens to designing a beautiful centerpiece, here are the simple steps to follow to style your own very Christmas tablescape.

Building Layers for an Elegant Look

Layering is one of my go to tips for creating a beautiful Christmas dining table.It’s a simple way to add a mix of textures, colors, and materials, making your table feel extra special without being too complicated.

First, start with a simple tablecloth as your base.

I chose a plain white one because it’s timeless and works with almost any theme, but you can choose something with more color, or even a beautiful holiday print.

The important thing to remember is to pick something that fits your style and that you truly love.

Once you’ve laid out your tablecloth, layer a table runner down the center of your dining table.

For me, anything plaid is always a Christmas favorite.

So you can image how excited I was to find this runner in my stash of holiday linens.

To be honest, I completely forgot about it, but it ties in perfectly with my red, white, and navy color scheme.

And, if you don’t have a table runner on hand, don’t worry…get creative and think outside the box!

Scraps of fabric, lace, a knit throw blanket, or even a scarf can make a beautiful and unique alternative.

Styling the Perfect Place Setting

After you’ve laid out your linens, it’s time to pull together the place settings.

To keep building on your layered look, start with decorative charger plates.

For my holiday table, I used my favorite round woven chargers, but you can choose whatever style works best for your table.

Then, it’s time to layer on your dishes.

When you’re hosting for the holidays, it’s the perfect excuse to bring out those special dishes or your grandma’s vintage china.

This beautiful Lenox Christmas china was recently passed down to me from a family friend.

It’s perfect for the holidays, don’t you think?

I love the festive holly and berry design and couldn’t wait to show it off on my tablescape.

Mixing and matching napkins, is another easy way to add texture and make your table feel special.

I went with two different napkins to coordinate with my theme—some red fringed ones and solid navy to help anchor the place settings.

I started by placing the navy ones underneath the plates and on top of the chargers.

Then I laid the red fringed ones on top of each place setting, adding a fun pop of color to tie everything together

Napkin rings are another fun way to add a bit of festive charm to your table.

I used these faux greenery napkin rings I picked up years ago

If you’re feeling crafty, you can make your own DIY Christmas napkin holders for an extra personal touch.

And don’t forget about your glasses and silverware!

To complete the look, I added these beautiful red goblets and chose gold flatware for a touch of elegance.

Creating a Holiday Centerpiece

And of course, no holiday table is complete without a festive centerpiece to pull everything together.

This Christmas, I created a DIY Santa’s sleigh centerpiece for our dining room table, and it think it might just be one of my favorite decorating ideas yet!

With just a bit of red spary paint, I turned a few thrifted finds into a cute little holiday display for less than $15.

To finish, I filled my sleigh with a few Christmas ornaments and some greenery.

It’s a simple and affordable way to pull everything together!

If you’re looking for other festive Christmas centerpieces, here are a few more ideas that would be perfect for decorating your dining room:

• Create a DIY gingerbread snow globe for a fun and playful touch
• Arrange pinecones and greenery in a basket for a cozy, natural look
• Fill a few hurricane candles with Epsom salt to mimic the look of fresh snow
• Display rustic candle holders with dried oranges and cinnamon sticks to add a touch of the outdoors to your space.
• Pot up some paperwhites in a vintage urn for a soft, neutral, wintry look

Just remember, whatever you choose to do, a centerpiece doesn’t have to be complicated to make your table feel extra special!

Christmas Dining Room Decorating Made Cozy: Hot Cocoa Bar Styling Ideas

If you’re hosting for the holidays, setting up a buffet is a great idea.

Not only does it make serving easier, but it helps keep your dining room table less cluttered so there’s more room to relax, enjoy conversation, and your meal!

Try setting up your Christmas buffet on a side table, or you can use a long folding table as an alternative.

Or, for a special treat, try styling a fun and festive hot cocoa bar instead!

With cute Santa mugs, plaid accents, and holiday-themed decor, it’s the perfect way to create an extra cozy little spot in your dining room.

And it’s just right for snuggling up with a Christmas movie and a holiday snack board filled with your favorite treats.

Stocking Your Hot Cocoa Bar

Once you’ve gathered your supplies and found the perfect spot for your cocoa bar, be sure to stock it with plenty of hot chocolate mix and all your favorite toppings!

I love to include chocolate chips, candy canes, peppermint chips, mini marshmallows, and several different types of caramel and chocolate drizzles.

You can even make your own DIY hot cocoa bombs instead of using a dry mix.

A tiered tray is a great space saver and a simple way to display all your cocoa bar decor.

I filled mine with supplies like extra mugs, spoons, and some cute red and white striped paper straws.

Or, you can even grab some cute disposable coffee cups if you’re in a pinch (or want to cut down on dishes!)

Sweetening Your Set Up with Free Hot Cocoa Bar Tags

Adding labels gives your cocoa bar that extra special touch, and my  FREE printable hot cocoa bar tags are the perfect finishing detail!

And thanks to the neutral black chalkboard and pinecone design, you can use these tags all winter long.

Because who says hot cocoa is only for Christmas?

Simply sign up abovw to get yours!

More Dining Room Decorating Ideas for Christmas Cheer

Beyond setting the table and creating a hot cocoa bar, it’s the small, thoughtful touches that really bring the holiday magic to your dining room.

Add seasonal elements like garlands, mini trees, or even a tall Christmas tree in the corner to make the room feel extra festive!

Garlands and Wreaths

Garlands draped just right and wreaths with twinkle lights add the perfect touch of holiday charm to your dining room.

Above our buffet, I draped a garland over a vintage leaded glass window.

The garland has definitely seen better days, but I can’t bring myself to part with it.

So I used one of my favorite holiday tricks to fluff it up – mixing in extra greenery!

Try adding pine branches, twigs, frosted holiday berries, and pinecones to give your garlands more fullness and a realistic look.

Wreaths are another simple way to add holiday charm, whether hung on windows or doors.

I love the look of a wreath on our barn door, so this year, I hung a large wreath with a big plaid bow in the corner of the room to add a cozy touch.

And, if you want to add a few extra finishing touches, use holiday ribbon to tie small wreaths onto the backs of your dining chairs.

Holiday Vignettes

Decorating with a mix of vintage and new pieces to create holiday vignettes adds a fun, personalized touch to your dining room decor!

On my refinished dresser, I put together a simple Christmas vignette using a mix of antique pieces, like an old typewriter and placed this adorable framed Santa artwork on top.

Then, I tucked in some greenery, and stacked a few fintage red and blue books beside it.

I’m also a firm believer that you can never have too many Christmas trees…although my husband may disagree!

So, I added a pair of light-up cone trees and finished off my display by scattering some vintage postcards on top of the dresser.

Christmas Trees

In the opposite corner from my barn door is our dining room Christmas tree, adding a final festive touch to the space.

There’s just something about the cozy glow of twinkle lights, isn’t there?

I love pulling into our driveway and seeing our tree shining through the front window.

I decorated our tree with red and blue ornaments to match the rest of the dining room decor, using a mix of shapes and sizes, including classic Christmas balls, finials, and the cutest vintage-looking Santas.

A while back, I shared my tips for decorating a Christmas tree like a pro, and I still use those those same tricks to style our trees every year!

Oh…and remember how I said I love trees?

Decorating with small groupings of mini trees is another of those simple ideas that adds an extra festive touch to your dining room at Christmas time.

And as a bonus, these little trees transition perfectly into winter decor, carrying you through to February.

Seamless Christmas Decorating Ideas: How to Coordinate Your Dining Room with the Rest of Your Home

If you’re looking for inspiration for the rest of your home, consider ways to tie the spaces together.

Decorating in same color scheme in other rooms like your entryway, bedroom, or living room can create a cohesive feel, while using similar decor pieces—like garlands, wreaths, and twinkling lights—ensures the rooms feel connected.

And since our entry and dining room flow together, I thought I’d give you a little peek at that too!

If you have a bench or seating area in your front entry, add some festive throw pillows and a chunky knit blanket.

These cozy additions not only provide a warm welcome but also offer a comfortable spot for guests to sit and remove their shoes.

We don’t have space for a bench, but I do like to keep this vintage chair near by.

These skates are one of my all-time favorite finds, and I love hanging them from the hooks on my old reclaimed wood shelf.

They look perfect paired with a plaid throw blanket draped over a basket, along with lots of greenery, twinkle lights, and frosted red berries.

Shop The Post

Want to recreate this look at home? I’ve linked all the finds I used in this post below! Please note, that sometimes things sell out quickly, so if something isn’t available anymore, I’ve linked a similar item that you might love just as much. Happy shopping!

Dining Room

Dining Room Sources: Gray and White Area Rug⎟Chandelier⎟Large Flocked Tabletop Tree⎟Small Flocked Tabletop Tree

Tablescape Sources: Lenox Christmas China⎟Red Fringed Napkins⎟Round Twig Charger Plate⎟Gold Flatware⎟Dark Blue Napkins⎟Red Goblet⎟Plaid Table Runner

Cocoa Bar Sources: Garland⎟Tiered Tray⎟Twinkle Lights⎟Santa Mugs

Half Gallon Ball Jar with Lid⎟Pint Mason Jars⎟Mini Wood Scoops⎟Red and White Craft Twine⎟Cardstock⎟Red and White Paper Straws

Ghirardelli Chocolate, Caramel, White Chocolate, and Sea Salt Caramel Flavored Sauce⎟Hot Chocolate Mix⎟Crushed Peppermint Candies

Christmas Tree Sources: Santa Face Christmas Ornament⎟Red Mercury Glass Finial Christmas Ornaments⎟Red Plaid Ornaments⎟Sapphire Blue Christmas Ornaments⎟Star Tree Topper⎟Woven Tree Collar

Front Entry

Entry Sources: Antique Market Canvas Wall Sign⎟Red Knit Pillow Cover⎟Plaid Christmas Throw Blanket⎟Garland⎟Frosted Red Berries⎟Twinkle Lights ⎟Mailbox⎟Hanging Bells on Jute Rope⎟Red Berry Wreath⎟Vintage Christmas Postcards⎟Light Up Cone Trees

Wrapping Up: Joyful Christmas Decorating Ideas for Your Dining Room

I hope these Christmas decorating ideas have inspired you to bring a little extra holiday cheer to your dining room!

From festive tablescapes to cozy cocoa bars and beautiful greenery.

There are so many ways to make your space feel warm and inviting for the season.

Don’t forge the’re plenty more festive magic and decor ideas to explore.

Be sure to check out all the rest of the holiday home tours linked below

Wishing you a Merry Christmas and joyous holiday season!

Bloggers’ Best Holiday Home Tours

This week I am joining some of my blogging friends for the Bloggers’ Best Holiday Home Tours. Twenty talented and creative women will be opening their homes up for you to tour all week long. You can visit each holiday home tour by clicking the links below.

Monday’s Tours

Lazy Girl’s Garden Club / This Is Simplicite / Amy Sadler Designs

Cottage In the Mitten / The Ponds Farmhouse / DIY Beautify

Tuesday’s Tours

Midwest Life and Style / Robyn’s French Nest

Sonata Home Design / StoneGable / Thistlewood Farms

Wednesday’s Tours

Living Large In a Small House / Shiplap & Shells / She Gave It a Go / Southern Home & Hospitality

Thursday’s Tours

Pasha Is Home / A Hundred Affections

Tatertots & jello / Returning Grace / Perfecting Places

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