Easy holiday styling with simple home DIY ideas

As a home stylist, I’m always looking for simple ways to make interiors feel festive without overwhelming the space or budget. For this season, I’m focusing on easy holiday styling and DIY home styling ideas that transform your home using pieces you already own. Whether I’m refreshing a corner near the kitchen, styling the back of a sofa, or creating a centerpiece from leftover greenery, my goal is to make each space feel elevated, cozy, and timeless. Let’s dive in and bring effortless holiday charm to your home.

Use vertical holiday styling to decorate small spaces

A slim or empty wall can become a standout holiday accent with a little creativity.
To balance my open-concept space, I added three medium wreaths in a vertical line on a narrow wall. Small nails kept them secure, and a velvet bow added a simple festive touch. The result? A decorative display that makes a bold statement without taking up space.

Try DIY home styling behind the sofa

If your sofa sits in the middle of the room, the back can feel unfinished. Instead of a console table, I used two large reindeer figurines to fill the space. A few velvet bows and a small wreath tied around the reindeer created an elegant holiday upgrade and visually softened the long sofa silhouette.

Two gold reindeer with velvet bows add a festive touch and soften the back of a floating sofa.

Create DIY holiday greenery arrangements with leftovers

You don’t need brand-new florals for a stunning centerpiece. Use leftover greenery, berry picks, or faux flowers to create your own arrangement. I started with a low vase, layered basic greenery to form a base, then added a velvet poinsettia as a focal point. Fanning out berry stems added shape and volume. This approach works with any combo of greenery you already own, making it budget-friendly and unique.

Add festive accents to practical kitchen corners

Holiday styling can be both pretty and functional. In my kitchen corner, I used a gold canister to store candle and tree light remotes. A piece of petrified wood, a candle, and a snuffer added warmth and texture. The glowing gold tones keep the look cohesive while adding practical organization.

Simple kitchen corner holiday styling using a gold canister, candle, and greenery arrangement.

Hide power sockets with simple DIY home styling tricks

Don’t love visible outlets? Try using tray displays or small leaning art to cover them. I layered a gold tray with a winter scene canvas print and secured it using Museum Wax. You can easily swap the print for family holiday photos for a more personal display style.

Layer framed winter artwork against a gold tray to hide outlets in a stylish way.

Use small holiday accents to elevate kitchen decor

One sprig of artificial cedar, a bow, and a reindeer figurine can instantly make a kitchen area festive. On my countertop setup, I tucked a candle into a mini wreath — it looks elegant and doubles as a natural air refresher to help clear cooking smells.

Mini wreath, reindeer figurine, and cedar sprig add a festive touch to everyday cutting boards.

Style a hallway entrance with layered garland

Hallways are often overlooked, but they can add big holiday impact with simple styling. I installed a shower tension rod above the opening and layered three garlands asymmetrically. Small amber gold ornaments hung on ribbon and a matching wreath on the door completed the festive look. This creates a welcoming festive view from the kitchen and living area.

Layered garland and gold ornaments highlight a narrow hallway entrance.

Build an elegant holiday centerpiece with mini wreaths

A simple centerpiece can set the tone for your dining table. I arranged three small wreaths as a base and added votive candles placed inside glass ice cream bowls for height. Loose berry picks and leftover ornaments scattered around the arrangement create a festive glow without blocking conversation. Paired with metallic chargers, winter plates, and white dinnerware, the table feels timeless and inviting.

Mini rings and gold votives create an elegant DIY centerpiece with surprising height.

Holiday styling on a budget: Reusing decor and thrifting seasonal pieces

Holiday styling doesn’t have to cost a fortune. One of the simplest ways to save money is to shop your own house first. Before buying anything new, look through bins of older decorations, ribbons, and leftover ornaments. Even if something doesn’t look exciting on its own, combining it with updated accessories or mixing materials can give it a second life.

For example, you can reuse tired décor by pairing it with fresh fabric bows, metallic paint, or neutral textures that align with your personal style. Even a worn wreath can feel brand new when you add new ribbon or small ornaments. This approach allows you to style your consoles, coffee table, bedroom, or hallway with unique pieces that feel creative, high-end, and personal.

Thrift stores are also treasure troves for vintage holiday figurines, brass candlesticks, framed artwork, and textured blankets you can layer over furniture. Many interior designers recommend thrifting because it gives your home a story — and you can often buy high-quality, durable materials for at a fraction of buying new.. Think brass, wood, glass, and true metal pieces instead of plastic décor. When you thrift, you not only stretch your budget but gain character and design inspiration that makes your home look custom rather than cookie-cutter.

Thrifted gold containers, reindeer and framed winter art add character without overspending.

DIY home styling with natural elements

Nature offers some of the best holiday décor for free. Pinecones, foraged greenery, citrus slices, and tree branches bring texture and warmth to any room, from the kitchen to the office. If you’re unsure where to start, think of nature as a built-in accessory that highlights your overall design. Fresh cedar branches can fill a vase like flowers, citrus can be dried to create garlands or used as bowl filler, and pinecones can be tucked onto a coffee table tray beside candles.

Kids and family can join in the fun — gathering greenery from the yard or helping dry orange slices can become a simple but meaningful memory. You can even style greenery in the middle of able settings, or on picture frames for a soft, handmade look. These materials hold up surprisingly well, and their organic color palette pairs beautifully with modern metallics and rustic country style.

Best of all, natural décor makes your home smell fresh, feel cozy, and look elegant without spending money. When paired with warm lighting and your favorite holiday pieces, natural styling can transform the entire house using what you already have.

A cohesive holiday table setting brings the whole room together.

Cozy lighting ideas for festive spaces

Lighting is one of the biggest secrets that interior designers use to make a space feel instantly cozy. Instead of relying on one bright ceiling light, try layering soft lighting sources throughout the room. Combine candles, lanterns, dimmers, and LED twinkle strands to create warmth and depth — the same way you layer fabric and textures in an outfit.

A candle on the coffee table, a lantern by the sofa, and warm fairy lights around a doorway can completely change the mood at night. The goal isn’t brightness, but glow. Even a small light under a wreath or inside a glass jar creates shadows and highlights that make your décor feel intentional and inspiring. Use dimmers if you can, so your lighting can shift from playful family mornings to quiet evenings when you want the room to feel peaceful.

Cozy lighting doesn’t only look beautiful — it pulls together the overall design, makes décor stand out, and adds something exciting without clutter or extra accessories. Lighting brings texture to your walls, reflects off metallic ornaments, and can create a warm holiday atmosphere that feels inviting to guests and friends.

How to choose a color palette for holiday styling

Choosing a holiday color palette doesn’t need to be overwhelming. Think of it the same way you’d plan a stylish outfit or paint colors for your walls — choose a combination that fits your home’s personality, not someone else’s trends. Here are four timeless looks recommended by designers:

Classic red + green

Traditional and cheerful, perfect for families, rustic themes, or spaces that already have warm woods and country charm. Works well with plaid patterns, natural greenery, and gold highlights.

Neutral golds + whites

Elegant and minimal, great for homes with modern interior design, black and white furniture, or metallic finishes. This palette looks stunning on sofas, dining tables, and artwork frames.

Rustic naturals + earthy tones

Think cedar greens, deep browns, textured fabric, wood, and pinecones. This palette brings nature indoors and pairs beautifully with handmade décor, foraged greenery, and warm lighting.

Modern metallics + muted tones

Champagne, bronze, and silver mixed with blues, taupes, and soft grays. Perfect if you want a contemporary, upscale look inspired by boutique hotels or high-end designers.

When choosing your palette, consider your existing furniture, rugs, fabric textures, and artwork. The right colors should support your personal style, not fight it. Once you choose one palette, stick with it across your house so everything flows well and feels cohesive, even if you decorated each space on a different day.

Final thoughts on effortless holiday styling

As a stylist, I believe you don’t need complicated projects or brand-new décor to create a meaningful holiday atmosphere. A few intentional choices—whether it’s layering garland, repurposing older ornaments, or building a centerpiece from scraps—can completely transform how your home feels. With a mix of thoughtful DIY home styling and practical holiday touches, you can create an elegant space that reflects your personality and welcomes both family and friends with warmth. I hope these ideas inspired you, and I’d love to hear which one you’re excited to try in your own home.

Watch my step-by-step video DIY home styling ideas: