Christmas is a time of year when we all want our living rooms to look their best. With thoughts of family huddled around the tree, or guests coming to stay for Christmas, it’s little wonder that we start to think about decorating our living rooms ready for the celebrations! There are plenty of ways to give your Christmas living room scheme a little more individuality. Go for glamour with black floral wallpaper and a sumptuous velvet sofa or armchairs in rich colours such as fuchsia and damson. This opulent look calls for a tree decorated with baubles in shimmering bronze, copper, gold and amethyst, and silver candlesticks on the mantelpiece. For a more pared-back take on this colour scheme, you could opt for charcoal-grey walls with a contemporary dark pink sofa – this time keep the berry-coloured decorations more minimal and display a set of three paper wreaths symmetrically above the sofa. A traditional red, gold and green decorating scheme looks warm and inviting and is timeless look for Christmas.

If you’re feeling brave, paint a feature wall in rich red and if the rest of your living room is quite neutral add vibrant splashes of colour with scarlet throws, cushions, and of course, Christmas stockings. Create a snow-white scheme with a shimmering wallpaper design, sparkling white and silver decorations and flickering tealights for your own winter wonderland. To warm up a neutral living room, introduce ivory and gold. Choose ivory curtains and soft furnishings, old gold decorations and white lights for the tree. This style looks even better if you have the benefit of a cosy open fire or woodburning stove to cast a soft glow. Take a browse through our pick of the best Christmas living rooms ideas for even more decorating inspiration. Bring in additional seating to make your guests feel at home in the living room. Nothing is more Christmassy than gathering around a roaring fire, surrounded by family and friends. Create a sociable space with a ring of seating centred around a hearth rug and coffee table.

Mix-and-match armchairs and sofas create a relaxed rather than a formal feel, perfect for cosy chats. Convert the mantel into a candle display that co-ordinates with your tree decorations. If you have a mirror the flickering will reflect the fire below. Create a cosy reading nook with a seasonal Scandinavian twist by draping a Gustavian daybed with a linen canopy and twinkling fairy lights. An abstract tree wallpaper adds a contemporary edge and conjures up images of a winter woodland, especially when combined with the gold-sprayed log side table. decorating ideas for christmas ballsAdd oomph to a neutral scheme with bold, high-contrast patterns, as seen in the striped cushions here.home and decor las vegas Set up a Christmas display in the living room. wall decor for fitness

Comfortable armchairs positioned next to a candlelit side table offer a cosy spot where guests can relax. Traditional sugared fruits and nuts are not only delightful to eat but look beautiful presented in vintage-style bowls. The portraits have the feel of a Dickensian Christmas and are made festive with delicate white garlands. Pine cones and fairy lights bring additional sparkle around the windows. Welcome in the winter months with rich, luxurious textures inspired by the opulent decor of the Victorian era. interior design shops online indiaHeavy velvet curtains have a cosseting feel, while lavish trimming makes an eye-catching feature of even the most humble piece of upholstery. what paint for exterior wallsDress the room for Christmas with metallic decorations that will shimmer when they catch the candlelight.decorations for christmas 2013

Similar cushionMarks & Spencer Tap into the colour trend of the year with rose gold accessories and tree decorations. Create a beautiful focal point at the over mantel mirror with an abundance of long tapered candles in different metallic finishes. A few generous copper baubles will tie the tree in to the whole rooms décor and create a harmonious festive feeling without dominating the room. Similar paintFarrow & Ball at HomebaseSimilar chairSwoon Editions Be bold with fresh foliage to make a big impact in a white modern living room. Stick with evergreens such as eucalyptus and ferns for fragrance and longevity, then go supersize for a playful twist on the traditional festive wreath. The simple colours evoke the snow-topped forests of Scandinavia, working well with the soft grey sofa and faux fur throw. A few festive ornaments finish the look while retaining a laid-back feel. You don’t have to go over the top to get a Christmassy feel in your living room – a gorgeous-looking tree and just a few well-placed decorations are sometimes all you need.

Focus on the fireplace first, which is the focal point of many living rooms. Position a large mirror centre stage, then group a collection of silver glass candlesticks, picture frames and candle votives in small clusters in front of the mirror. Keep to the simple silver and white colour scheme when it comes to the tree, with glitter baubles, frosted snowflakes, crystal droplets and twinkling white fairy lights. Candlesticks and tealightsPale & InterestingLiatorp coffee table Ikea Refresh a tired neutral living room with a dramatic scarlet-painted feature wall. Set against linen sofas, sisal flooring and rustic wooden furniture, a splash of bright colour really helps to lift the scheme. Add more of the bright accent colour around the room with scarlet cushions, throws and accessories. When it comes to Christmas decorations, just pile on the festive holly and berry garlands, natural foliage, and not forgetting a Christmas tree decked with berry-coloured baubles.

This casual country-style living room looks so comfortable and inviting with its squashy linen sofas piled high with cushions. Subtly-patterned wallpaper in soft blue and cream adds a touch of decoration without dominating the scheme and tones beautifully with all the linens, painted furniture and weathered woods around the room. Add simple homespun baubles mixed with heirloom treasures to complement the nostalgic setting, with a rustic twig wreath above the fireplace for a festive finishing touch. Similar wreath HobbycraftIndian motif wallpaperSorbet Living Be inspired by the wintry landscape outdoors and create a cosy woodland themed living room indoors. The mainly neutral colour palette feels comfortable and easy to live with, but it’s the twig-patterned feature wallpaper and stunning metal mirror that is the real focal point of this room. Concentrate on the fireplace when it comes to Christmas decorations, lining the mantelpiece with a woodland garland of fresh foliage, pine cones, acorns and the occasional birdhouse and owl nestling amongst the branches.

Coppice wallpaper RomoMirror John Lewis Keep to a simple living room colour palette of ivory and old gold, teamed with elegant French-style furniture, for a classic look that won’t date. A soft-sheen damask wallpaper adds a touch of shimmer to the scheme without dominating the room. Try teaming it with silk curtains in a soft shade of gold, a classic ivory sofa and an accent armchair in a golden damask. Decorate the tree with glass baubles and subtle touches of silver and gold, then dress the mantlepiece with fresh foliage and flowers for a natural look. Stick to pale shades in the living room to keep it looking light and bright on dark winter days. Try a tree motif wallpaper on one feature wall. Prevent an all-white scheme from feeling chilly by warming it up with deeper shades of stone and taupe, and accents of deep berry red. Keep Christmas decorations simple with a few cutwork designs and plain red, white or silver baubles. For a fun festive touch, replace the pictures over your mantel with a framed festive message.

Similar wallpaper Cole & SonCoffee table Chic Shack When it comes to decorating the living room, soft greys and whites, combined with pale oak flooring, create the perfect backdrop for an impressive collection of antiques and traditional Christmas ornaments and accessories. Similar rug Laura Ashley Complement a vibrant scheme, such as this orange-toned living room, with a Christmas tree that features similar tones. Carry the look through by wrapping gifts in contrasting shades from the same colour palette. Settle back for an evening of chess, card games and plenty of mulled wine around the fire in this laid-back living room. Painting the beam the same colour as the walls helped to blend it into the scheme. This neutral and sage green living room is filled with Christmas decorations, a large Christmas tree and a fireplace dressed with a festive garland. Wall paint Craig & Rose The view from the mezzanine floor looks down onto the neutral living room filled with Christmas decorations, a festive Christmas tree and an open lit fireplace dressed with a festive garland.