10 Easy Kitchen Decor Ideas for the Holidays

When it comes to interior decor, there’s really no place like home for the holidays. And with the kitchen being the heart of the home, adding a little holiday cheer into the area really makes the season magical. With all of the time spent in the kitchen this time of year baking cookies and preparing the family feast, making the space feel merry and bright will help you really get into the holiday spirit.

Decorating your kitchen for the holidays doesn’t have to be complicated or intricate to look good. The beauty of home decor is that you can go as big or as small as you want to for your own home. From decorations as small as holiday-patterned dish towels to as large as wreaths on every cabinet door, there’s something for everyone when it comes to decking the halls of your kitchen.

1. Set up a Tiny Holiday Village

You may have seen miniature buildings and figurines under the Christmas tree before, but many households find this difficult to safely execute with pets or small children in the home. Instead, consider setting the village up in your kitchen. Putting it on top of a cabinet or decorating open shelving with the tiny town can bring a pop of life into the area.

2. Hang Ornaments from the Chandelier

Take advantage of hanging lighting that already exists in your kitchen by adorning it with bulbs, garland, or other hanging holiday decorations. It creates a more cohesive look with the rest of the home when you plan to use the same theme in every room, so consider using extra ornaments that wouldn’t fit on the Christmas tree in the kitchen instead.

3. Make the Coffee Bar a Hot Cocoa Bar

While we’re not suggesting that you give up your caffeine fix during the holiday season, bringing a holiday flair to the coffee bar can liven up the room. Exchange your regular mugs for holiday themed mugs, display seasonal flavored syrups, and make sure that hot cocoa and crushed candy canes are within reach to brew the perfect peppermint mocha!

4. Swap Every Day Items for Holiday Versions

There’s a holly and jolly version for almost anything in your kitchen. Take a look at what you currently have on display and consider replacing it with the holiday alternative. Dish and hand towels, placemats, oven mitts, and paper products, and even salt and pepper shakers are all very common holiday kitchen decor items!

5. Replace Decor Items for the Season

Instead of any generic artwork hanging on the wall, replace it with a “Season’s Greetings” sign or similar artwork for the season. Likewise, replacing (or adding) decorative pillows on bar stools or benches in your kitchen for the season will help make the space cozy and festive.

6. Display Your Holiday China

If you have special holiday dishware, take advantage of open shelves or glass cabinetry to show off the festive designs on the dishes! Chances are that you only use the set for one or two meals each year, so get more enjoyment out of it by using them as decor pieces when they’re not in use for the grand family meal.

7. Create a Special Centerpiece

You may already have the perfect holiday centerpiece to display but if not, there’s plenty of easy ways to incorporate one. Building a gingerbread house with the family is a perfect display, though you could also use cookies that you’ve made yourself to bring in some holiday spirit. Flowers such as poinsettias are always a great touch too.

8. Use Holiday Scented Soaps and Candles

Decoration doesn’t only have to be visual; bring the scents of the season into the kitchen with candles, hand soaps, wax melts, and other holiday perfumed items. Not only is the packaging of these items a decoration in itself, but letting the smell of fresh pine or baking cookies take over the kitchen adds a more immersive holiday experience.

9. Add Ribbons Wherever Possible

Bright red bows are a staple of the season; adding them all over your kitchen can really bring in the holiday spirit! It’s relatively inexpensive to purchase a yard or two of your fabric of choice and cut long strips to tie behind the backs of your chairs or over cabinet doors. Smaller ribbons and bows can be added as accents around lighting, door knobs and handles, or other detail areas.

10. Bring Holiday Greenery into the Kitchen

Whether you’re using real pine branches or reusable fake plants, bringing a bit of nature into your home is always a great solution for decorating. Consider hanging wreaths on your cabinets, draping garland over banisters, and placing a pot of poinsettias in an often viewed place in your kitchen. The pop of color and texture is an easy way to make complex-looking decorations very easily!

Whatever winter holidays you and your household celebrate, we all agree that the core reason for the season is to come together and celebrate another wonderful year with family and friends. Creating an atmosphere where your family and guests feel the magic of the season will create some of the most treasured memories for years to come.

Decorating your kitchen doesn’t have to be overly complicated, excessively expensive, or so tedious that you’re not able to enjoy it. Of these ten tips and ideas, pick the ones that make the most sense for your particular kitchen and abilities. Implementing just one or two will still transform your kitchen into a winter wonderland with minimal effort. Most importantly, remember to take a break from the hustle and bustle of the season and just enjoy the holidays!

Happy holidays from the Kitchens by Oaks family!

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