16 Minimalist Christmas Décor Ideas You Have to Try This Year

Small, simple touches can have an oversize impact, which is why we love minimalist Christmas decor. Each idea gets appreciated for what it is because it doesn't have to compete in a room full of holiday decorations. And this focused approach to holiday decorating can help us feel calm and serene at home through the hustle and bustle of the season. Follow the lead of some of our favorite influencers and crafters by putting minimalist holiday decorating to work in your own home. Oh, and there’s a nice bonus: There are fewer decorations to pack and put away come the new year.

Gold Garland

Pick up metallic cardstock from the crafts store, cut out triangle shapes, and tape to a string…this mod garland from Molly Madfis is both cheap and easy! Hang it by the mantle or drape around a doorway to add a hint of glam without overdoing it on the glitz.

Hoop Wreaths

Weave flocked berries, winter leaves, and jute onto golden hoops for a simple wreath that’s 100 percent stunning. Hang one on the front door or over the fireplace or a trio on a plain wall for an understated style statement.

Yarn Tassel Garland

With bold pops of color and a neutral backdrop, this yarn garland makes a cheery statement without going overboard. Customize it with whichever mix of colors that fits your holiday decor or go with all whites and creams for a subtle look. Hang your Christmas garland along the wall (bonus points if it’s shiplapped), over the mantel, or near the tree.

Paper Trees

One simple holiday accent, like this cardboard tree centerpiece, can go a long way toward making the whole house feel festive yet decluttered and calm. We love the warm whites and wood tones of this neutral holiday centerpiece from blogger Sarah Kirby.

Bling the Bookshelves

Soft and subtle holiday hints around the house add cheer—rather than chaos—to every room. Decorating with what you have is one of our favorite small space Christmas hacks. We suggest choosing ribbon to match the style of your room and using removable adhesive hooks to hang metallic ornaments from a bookshelf, cupboard, or mantel. A monochromatic look ups the minimalism.

Wood Bead Ornaments

Plain wooden beads, with their warm tones and textures, are a perfect match for evergreens and small hints of holiday colors. These wood bead ornaments are easy to make using wire, beads, and yarn, plus they make thoughtful gifts.

Seasonal Signs

With a simple addition of a holiday sign—in a modern black-and-white motif—a snow globe, and maybe a candle or two, you can give a shelf or bookcase a Christmas makeover in mere minutes.

Twinkle Lights

Think beyond exterior holiday lights and add festive holiday lighting throughout the house. We love the cozy feel Beth from 1111 Light Lane created for her dining tablescape, with candles and the low-light chandelier twinkling in front of the lit Christmas tree. Remember: If you go full holiday in one room, show restraint in adjoining rooms to keep the feel of the whole house in balance.

Serious Swag

Blogger Julie Blanner proves a simple bough of fresh greenery hung over a doorway can transform the look of a room. We love the seasonal addition of fresh evergreen to this otherwise simple white wall—and can only imagine how good it smells throughout the holiday season.

Simple Stamps

Go retro with a potato and a cookie cutter to make a custom holiday stamp that can make a pile of DIY holiday gifts and add a perfect minimalist holiday touch near a sink. We love the look of this black-and-white holiday tea towel and think it would be just the thing to add a little merry to a modern kitchen or bathroom.

Foraged Greenery

With a few birch branches perched by the front door and a length of fresh evergreen hung above the stairs, this entry is welcoming, festive, and understated—a minimalist nod to merry if we ever saw one. (Just imagine how stunning this would look at night in the snow!)

Paper Wreaths

Hints of silver and sparkle make monochromatic paper wreaths perfect for front door. This easy-to-make holiday wreath—all you need to do is hit the scrapbooking aisle of the crafts store—is so subtle that you could even leave it up through January to keep the good vibes flowing straight into the new year.

Ribbon Ready

One simple touch of ribbon transforms a fresh holiday wreath into a welcoming statement. We love this holiday wreath paired with the butter yellow door, but the subtle look would work on almost any style of door.

Cozy Votives

Wrapping basic votives with cuttings from the sleeves of old sweaters adds a layer of warmth. The texture adds a touch of cozy to unexpected places like bedside tables. Or group a few for an understated statement in a holiday centerpiece on the dining table.

Leftover sweater? Put it to good use!

Mantel Magic

A small collection of trees and candlesticks give a mantel a holiday touch without knickknacks taking over the house. We love how Lacey from Ponderosa and Plaid stuck to different sizes and colorways of the same item to pull off this minimalist holiday decorating idea. Deck your halls with buffalo check decor.

Gold Macrame Ring Wreaths

Put those gold macrame rings to good use. Creating a chic DIY holiday wreath is as easy as gathering greenery and wrapping a hoop form. Add pops of color with seasonal berries or small ornaments. We love the way a trio of these minimalist wreaths look above a mantel or on a wall.