Farmhouse Christmas decor is all about simple, natural and a little bit nostalgic: fresh greenery, warm white lights, wood and wicker, red-and-white accents, and ornaments that look like they have been in the family for years. It should feel collected, not perfect. Here are 18 rustic farmhouse Christmas decor ideas for the front door, the tree, the kitchen and the living room, plus a few safety notes worth keeping in mind before you plug anything in.
The farmhouse Christmas palette: evergreen, cream, warm wood, black metal and a pop of red. If a piece fits that palette, it will fit the look.
Farmhouse Christmas decor for the front door and porch
1. Hang a rustic wreath
The wreath sets the tone for the whole house. A wagon wheel wreath is a natural fit for farmhouse style, and our farmhouse wagon wheel wreath brings that rustic shape to the front door. Hang it a little above eye level so it reads from the street.
2. Keep the cozy sign from fall
If you followed our fall front porch ideas, a seasonal door sign can carry right on into winter. Our "Cozy Season" door sign was made for exactly that stretch from first frost to New Year.
3. Fill planters with greenery and branches
Swap fall mums for cut evergreen boughs, birch branches and pine cones tucked into the same planters. Add a few red berries and you have instant winter containers that last for weeks in cold weather.
4. Use outdoor-rated lights only
Before draping lights on railings or bushes, check the box. The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission advises using lights tested by a recognized laboratory such as UL or ETL, checking every set for cracked sockets or frayed wires, and making sure lights used outside are certified for outdoor use (CPSC holiday safety tips).
Windows and walls
5. Light up the front windows
Lit window decorations are some of the most charming things you can see from the sidewalk on a winter evening. A set like our Christmas window lights, with a wreath, a gift box and Santa, gives each window its own little scene.
6. Hang a bow garland
Run a Christmas bow garland across the mantel, along a staircase or over a doorway. Bows are a farmhouse classic, and a single long garland ties a whole room together.
7. Add simple wreaths to inside doors and windows
Small wreaths hung with ribbon on cabinet doors, mirrors or the inside of windows repeat the front door theme and make the whole house feel decorated with very little effort.
Farmhouse Christmas tree ideas
8. Start with warm white lights
Warm white bulbs give a tree a soft, candle-like glow that suits rustic decor far better than cool white. Light the tree before anything else and step back often to check for dark spots.
9. Choose ornaments with a handmade feel
Wood, felt, paper and wool ornaments are the heart of a farmhouse tree. Our wooden peppermint ornaments come 24 to a set, which is enough to scatter across a full-size tree.
10. Mix in a few characters
A farmhouse tree should make people smile. Tuck in a handful of playful ornaments such as our set of 15 elf ornaments or an angel snowman ornament for the kids to hunt for each morning.
11. Skip the topper, or keep it simple
A burlap or plaid bow, a simple star or even no topper at all keeps a rustic tree from looking overdone. Let the lights and ornaments do the talking.
12. Wrap the base
Set the tree in a galvanized tub, a wooden crate or a woven basket instead of a tree skirt. It is the single quickest way to make a tree look farmhouse.
Kitchen and table
13. Fill wooden bowls with pine cones and oranges
A natural wooden bowl filled with pine cones, clementines and a few sprigs of greenery makes an effortless centerpiece for the kitchen island or dining table.
14. Build a holiday board on a cutting board
A large wooden cutting board is the perfect base for a holiday snack board of cheese, fruit, nuts and cookies. Our parquet-style solid wood cutting board looks handsome enough to leave out on the counter all season. For more ideas, see farmhouse kitchen decor ideas.
15. Set a table with gold and greenery
Greenery down the center of the table, simple white plates and a touch of gold from a gold cutlery set feel festive without being fussy.
Living room comforts
16. Swap in Christmas pillow covers
Pillow covers are the easiest holiday swap in the house. Slip Christmas pillow covers over the inserts you already have, then swap back in January.
17. Drape a cozy throw
A chunky knit throw in cream or white looks like snow on the sofa and makes movie nights by the tree even better. Read more in how to make your home feel cozy.
18. Count down with an advent calendar
An advent calendar becomes a family ritual. Our 24-day advent calendar has a little surprise behind each day, and a Christmas gift box with a tree pendant is a sweet way to wrap a small present.
A quick word on candles and the tree
Holiday decorating and candles go together, but carefully. The CPSC recommends keeping burning candles within sight, away from trees, decorations and curtains, and putting them out before you leave the room or go to bed (CPSC). Fire officials also note that December is a peak month for home candle fires (Illinois State Fire Marshal). Flameless candles and a candle warmer lamp give you the glow with far less worry.
Farmhouse Christmas decor at a glance
| Where | Easy farmhouse idea |
|---|---|
| Front door | Wagon wheel wreath, cozy season sign, greenery in planters |
| Windows | Lit window decorations, small wreaths on ribbon |
| Tree | Warm white lights, wooden and felt ornaments, crate or basket base |
| Kitchen | Wooden bowl of pine cones and oranges, holiday board |
| Living room | Christmas pillow covers, knit throw, bow garland on the mantel |
Bring the holidays home: everything above is in our seasonal decor collection, and US orders over $45 ship free. Ordering gifts? Try the gift finder on our homepage.
Farmhouse Christmas FAQ
What colors are used in farmhouse Christmas decor?
Evergreen, cream and white, warm natural wood, black metal and classic red. Buffalo check and simple stripes are the most common patterns.
How do I make my Christmas tree look farmhouse?
Use warm white lights, wooden or handmade-looking ornaments, a simple bow or star on top and a rustic base such as a crate, galvanized tub or basket instead of a skirt.
When should I start decorating for Christmas?
Many families decorate the weekend after Thanksgiving. Porch greenery and lights can go up a little earlier, since they bridge nicely from fall.
Is farmhouse Christmas the same as cottage Christmas?
They are close cousins. Farmhouse leans rustic with wood and metal, while cottage Christmas is softer, with florals, vintage finds and pastel touches. Our guide to cottage style decorating shows how to blend the two.
