If you’re drawn to a neutral, organic aesthetic — but want to bring in a little holiday warmth and cheer — you’re in the right place. In this post, I’m sharing how I decorated my dining room, kitchen shelves and corners for Christmas: simple DIY touches, budget-friendly finds, and a hint of burgundy to elevate the space.
Whether you rent or own, you don’t need a huge budget or a big tree to make your home feel warm, festive, and intentionally styled.
If you’re searching for Christmas decorating ideas for your dining room, kitchen, or open-concept spaces, this post will give you tons of inspiration you can recreate on any budget.
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Before I even bought anything new, I looked around and imagined how I could use the things I already owned — vases, trays, shelves, and even thrifted items.
- Over my kitchen sink window, I tucked in two small decor pieces I bought at Walmart for $5 each, then tied them with red velvet ribbon from HomeSense. The ribbons added a festive touch without overwhelming the space.
- For those red velvet ribbons, I used a simple bow-tying trick (wrap around your finger + thumb, loop through the center, and fluff out) — every bow looked perfect, and I ended up using the whole roll.
This is a great reminder: holiday decor doesn’t have to be expensive. A little ribbon and creativity go a long way.
styling kitchen shelves for christmas
Floating shelves, trays, and small corners are perfect for injecting holiday charm — even in small spaces. Here are the things I did:
- I took a $15 frame from Walmart, printed a vintage tree art print from Etsy, and popped it in. I skipped Modge Podge this time, but placing the print behind the glass gives it a more art-like, polished feel.
- I added some yarn Christmas trees I made — in twine, white, green and burgundy — to tie in with the rest of the decor. These handmade touches feel cozy and personal. Check out my blog post here on how you can make them too!
- On a thrifted watering can (just $6)
- A wooden tray bought for $10 doubles as a lean-against-the-wall cutting board, giving the shelf a neutral, textured base.
- On that shelf, I also placed two light-up mini house ornaments from Superstore to get that warm glow you only get at Christmastime.
I love mixing heights, textures, and materials — from metal and wood to soft ribbon and natural stems. It keeps things visually interesting and intentional rather than cluttered.
styling my christmas dining table
My dining table is where I like to get creative each season. For Christmas, I used a white table runner to keep the base light and clean, then layered the realistic Wayfair garland on top. Nestled into the greenery are the antique brass candle holders and a vase. I love these sweet plates from Walmart Canada.
I styled my dining table in my last blog post which you can check out here DECORATE MY DINING TABLE FOR CHRISTMAS: NEUTRAL & TIMELESS
styling my record cabinet for christmas
My husband recently got this record cabinet on marketplace which we need to give a little TLC to but in the meantime I am decorating it for the holidays and have it in my dining room.
I used a garland to drape along the top and added some trees that I had along with some other decor to create different heights and textures. My favourite is the Christmas Countdown sign that I had made by a local crafter and a friend of mine.
kitchen and shelf styling for christmas
One corner of our home used to be clutter central. This year, I decided to turn it into something beautiful and seasonal instead:
- I tied a green velvet ribbon around a vase I already had, added some pine stems and a small sprig — instant holiday vibes.
- I placed a candle from a local maker atop a small shelf along with a thrifted vase, books, and tiny accents to make that corner feel curated.
- A cutting board (with its handle tied with ribbon and bells) became part of the decor — using everyday kitchen items in unexpected ways adds personality without clutter.
This is for anyone who feels like “my home is too small for Christmas decor.” A couple of well-styled vases and a few seasonal touches can completely transform a corner.
I’m still waiting to bring home my real Christmas tree (we get ours the last week of November), but that hasn't stopped me from decorating the rest of the house and layering in textures and greenery wherever I can.
final thoughts
This year’s Christmas decorating has been all about creating an elevated, cozy atmosphere with layers of realistic greenery, vintage pieces, rich ribbon textures, and affordable finds from Wayfair, Walmart Canada, and HomeSense.
Whether you're decorating your dining room table, kitchen counters, or shelves, a mix of stems, garland, candle holders, and simple DIY touches can make your home feel beautifully pulled together for the holidays.
If you’re looking for more Christmas decorating ideas, DIYs, and budget-friendly styling tips, make sure to check out my other posts and videos.
DECORATE MY DINING TABLE FOR CHRISTMAS: NEUTRAL & TIMELESS
2025 CHRISTMAS HOME DECOR HAUL & TRENDS: HOMESENSE, CANADIAN TIRE & WALMART
