In this post, we’ll take a look at twenty-three of the most charming cottage Christmas decorating ideas to feel like you’re in the English countryside for the holidays this year!
Published: 8/31/24
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There’s nothing cozier than a country cottage at Christmas.
The movie The Holiday showed us this, and now we’re all left chasing the feeling that Kate Winslet’s English cottage gave us in the movie.
We can’t all live in a perfect weathered stone cottage with powder snow framing the doorway.
However, we can decorate our interiors to feel as cozy and charming as a countryside cottage!
These stunning cottage Christmas decorating ideas will make you and your family feel nostalgic for the simpler times of your youth.
Christmas felt more magical when we were kids and that’s why we decorate our homes!
Both to find that childlike joy in ourselves again and pass those beautiful memories on to our children.
I hope these ideas make you feel as warm on the inside as Christmas morning felt when you were 8 years old.
Time to put on The Holiday, pour a cup of hot cocoa, and scroll through these perfect cottage Christmas decorating ideas for inspo!
23 Cottage Christmas Decorating Ideas
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1. Rustic Entryway
Credit: @farmgirl2be
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What better part of your home to infuse with country charm than the area you’ll see first when walking through the door?
Set your guests on the right foot by decorating your entryway with some simple rustic Christmas decor.
I absolutely love the neutral color palette in the cottage above and the clever way they’ve arranged their bench and coat hooks!
2. Festive Place Settings
Credit: @byemmadiaz
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If there’s ever a time to be over the top in your home decor, it’s definitely around the holidays.
Now I’m not the type of homeowner that always has the table set in fancy linens and dishware, but around Christmas time it’s the perfect way to bring in the holiday spirit.
These red scalloped place mats are to die for. Especially when paired with some simple greenery for your centerpiece!
3. Layered Christmas Trees
Credit: @thistle.harvest
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Why stop yourself at one Christmas tree when instead you can have two or even three?
Before I saw this cozy cottage home, I admit I always limited myself to one tree. Now I’m hell bent on designing my own mini forest in my living room.
Adding a second smaller tree to your main tree brings so much charm to the focal point of your holiday decor!
4. Garland Along Wood Beams
Credit: @mishkashoe
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The coziest cottages have stunning wood beams running across the ceiling that deserve to have attention brought to them.
Don’t let this stunning feature of your home go undecorated this Christmas season.
Use your beams as an opportunity to hang luscious green garland and twinkly lights to make your space feel more festive than ever.
5. Frosted Greenery
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For those who live in colder climates during the winter who live for the snow and ice, bring the stunning winter frost into your decor.
I live in South Dakota, and I can’t get enough of the beautiful frost patterns that appear on our windows in the mornings during winter.
Matching your greenery to the outdoors is one of my favorite cottage Christmas decorating ideas because of how it infuses the outdoors with the indoors.
6. Homemade Paper Chains
Credit: @byrosielouise
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Especially if your family includes little ones, one of the best ways to decorate your cottage home is with paper chains!
They bring that nostalgic Christmas feeling that we’re all chasing once we’re older.
Plus, this is a great project to do with the family that will quickly become an annual tradition when your kiddos fall in love with this easy craft!
7. Chandelier Wreath
Credit: @johanakrasinski_
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How absolutely stunning is this garland covered chandelier? The chandelier wouldn’t be the first place I’d think to decorate, but I’m obsessed.
Just adding a simple wreath of garland with some stars dangling from red ribbons instantly transforms this dining table to a stunning display.
Use real candles at your own risk, but it can’t be denied that the open flame is incredibly charming!
8. Dried Fruits and Spices
Credit: @alexandrahouse.studio
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One of the most authentic and nostalgic ways to make your home feel like a cottage this Christmas is to decorate with fruits and spices.
Dried oranges and cranberries are a classic, especially when paired with sticks of cinnamon and adorable star anise.
The best part about decorating this way is that it doubles as potpourri and makes your home smell incredible!
9. Seasonal Quilts
Credit: @ginger_beer_designs
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My newest obsession is hand stitched quilts. Can’t you see why?
It’s the easiest and fastest way to add country charm to your bedroom. Plus, I love any kind of decor that can also be put to good use.
I’m going to be spending extra time at thrift stores this fall looking for quilts that are either Christmas themed or in Christmas colors to elevate my holiday decor!
10. Red Accents
Credit: @bylaurenmcdermott
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This children’s Christmas themed bedroom is everything I could ever dream of and then some for my son!
A children’s room is the perfect place to add red accents to your holiday home decor because they will love the added color.
Some red flannel sheets peeking out under the blanket, or a candy cane striped pillow are both perfect ideas to pull off this fun look!
11. Simple Stars
Credit: @the_old_cottage
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Not all holiday decor has to be so on the nose, sometimes it’s better to go simplistic.
Decorating with broader themes is nice because you can put your decor up sooner and leave it up for longer to get more bang for your buck!
This oversized metal star adorned with pine branches and dried orange slices is the perfect ornament to add to a coat rack or shelf.
12. Assorted Vases and Cannisters
Credit: @mollyinmaine
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I’m a huge fan of infusing holiday decor with your current everyday decor items.
No need to change out everything in your home for just one to two months, instead just upgrade what you already have!
I love how the homeowner above has placed pine branches and pinecones in different vases and baskets throughout their space.
13. Over the Bed Wreaths
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If you’re only putting a wreath on the outside of your front door, then you’re missing out.
In my opinion, wreaths belong everywhere in your home! Including above the bed.
This is one of my favorite cottage Christmas decorating ideas because of how simple yet transformative it is for this space!
14. Garland Wrapping Up Stairs
Credit: @old_cottage_life
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One of my favorite home looks around Christmas time is a stair banister wrapped with garland and bells.
Stairs take up a ton of space in a home and deserve to be made beautiful as much as anywhere else in your home!
I’m obsessed with the sweet little bell details they’ve added to the individual railings as well. It makes me think of the Polar Express!
15. White Twinkly Lights
Credit: @sixat21
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When in doubt, light it up! If you’re feeling stuck or unsure what to do to add some Christmas charm, you can’t go wrong with twinkly lights.
I love these packs of string lights that are affordable to buy in bulk and delicate enough to add anywhere in your home.
Go to town adding twinkly lights on shelves, fireplace mantels, or anywhere that could use a little pizzaz this winter.
16. Red Ribbon
Credit: @teahousedesigns
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It’s the season of ribbons and bows and I think this draped red ribbon makes this fireplace look so romantic.
This photo has definitely inspired me to pick up one or two spools of red ribbon for this holiday season!
What I love most about using ribbon to decorate is not only is it completely affordable, but you can get so clever with how you use it throughout your space.
17. Touches of Green
Credit: @downshilohroad
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This kitchen is as close to perfect as cottage Christmas decorating ideas gets if you ask me!
Sometimes it’s the smallest details that make the most perfect vignettes and displays.
Adding some simple evergreen-colored towels to your kitchen decor or a minimalistic white Santa cookie jar can take your festivities to the next level.
18. Christmas Tree Basket
Credit: @by_anitarussell
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Whether you’re a real tree person or an artificial tree person, the best way to make your tree look cottage level charming is to use a base basket.
Tree skirts are a thing of the past in my opinion!
Especially if you have a real tree, though, once you go basket you’ll never go back. It catches a ton of the falling pine needles, and it makes watering a breeze.
19. Greenery Around Archways
Credit: @candlewoodcottage
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How beautiful is this English cottage living room? The holiday decor is simple but so effective and lovely.
All it takes to add holiday spirit to your home is a simple strand of greenery draped around an archway or doorway into the next room.
It brings a pop of color, texture, and if you go for the real thing, it will make the house smell great too!
20. Vintage Patterned Stockings
Credit: @megan.d.miller
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Don’t get me wrong, I love a bright red stocking with marker painted names on them, but I also LOVE this vintage patterned look.
If you’re especially crafty, you could sew your own stockings from whatever stunning fabric you can find.
If you’re like me, though, and can’t sew for the life of you, then the hunt begins at thrift and antique stores!
21. Snaked Garland
If you can’t tell from the repetition on this list, I love green garland as a cottage Christmas decorating idea.
I don’t believe it can be overused, but if you’re worried about having too much similarity in your decor, just change the way you drape it!
This S shaped drape style for a strand of garland over a large window is so unique and elegant that I can’t stop thinking about it.
22. Classic String Tinsel
Credit: @godsavethescene
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Classic Christmas tree tinsel is the most magical holiday look in my opinion.
The sparkle makes it look like hanging icicles from the branches of your tree and it is undeniably stunning.
It reminds me so much of spending the holidays at my grandma’s house growing up. Fills me with warm fuzzies just to think about it!
23. Potted Pines on the Patio
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This wouldn’t be a complete list of cottage Christmas decorating ideas without a cozy cottage front porch!
Especially when it comes to country cottages, the way to go with your outdoor decor is more natural and rustic.
Layering different sizes and colors of potted pines will add depth and texture to your front step that will wow everyone walking by.
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