If your holiday decorating usually starts in the entryway and ends in the living room, you’re forgetting one very important space: the kitchen. As the heart of the home, it’s the place where cozy mornings start with peppermint-flavored coffee, guests gather around platters of appetizers, and all your traditional holiday baking takes place. To give your kitchen a festive spin, there’s no need to redecorate the whole space—all you need are a few small additions. From countertops to cabinets to the island, there are plenty of opportunities to incorporate kitchen Christmas decor without taking up too much room. Whether you have a tiny apartment kitchen or a little more square footage to work with, these kitchen holiday decor ideas will bring cozy, festive vibes to your cooking space.
1. Hang mini wreaths on kitchen cabinets
Beyond the front door, there are so many ways to decorate with wreaths, but my favorite might be hanging mini ones on kitchen cabinets. It’s such a cute way to add some holiday charm to your kitchen without taking up any precious counter space. For the easiest hanging method, attach a small Command hook upside-down on the inside of the cabinet door. Then, loop some ribbon or clear fishing line onto the hook and through the wreath so it hangs over the top edge of the door.
2. Prop up holiday artwork
Artwork absolutely belongs in the kitchen, and around the holidays, it’s a fun way to bring in some festive cheer. Print out some holiday-themed artwork (Etsy is a gold mine of affordable options) and pop it into an ornate gold frame for a pretty vintage element. Better yet, choose a wintery photo from an old family album to add a touch of nostalgia in the most elevated way. Then simply lean your artwork against your backsplash or hang it up wherever you have wall space.
3. Hang some garland
Garlands aren’t just for your mantle! I love the idea of hanging garland around a kitchen window, on top of cabinetry, or under shelves to give the space a festive touch. Since kitchens are predominantly made up of hard surfaces like stainless steel, laminate, or stone, faux greenery can bring some much-needed life into the room. My tip? Look for garlands with soft, flexible greenery for the most natural look.
4. Create a coffee or hot cocoa station
‘Tis the season to sip hot cocoa, peppermint mochas, and all the other warm beverages your heart desires. For easy access, set up a corner of your kitchen with everything you need to whip up your favorite holiday drinks. Along with your usual coffee maker or tea kettle, set out some festive mugs, hot cocoa mix, flavored coffee syrups, and maybe even some marshmallows or peppermint sticks. Corral everything on a tray or tiered stand, and you’ll be ready to mix up a cozy holiday drink any time of the day.
5. Add charm to your seating
Whether you have counter stools or classic dining chairs, adding a mini wreath or bow around the back is a fun, low-lift way to bring holiday decor into the kitchen. Attach your decoration of choice with ribbon or clear fishing line so they’re easy to take off come January.
6. Bring in mini trees
You likely don’t have space for a full six-foot Christmas tree in your kitchen, but that doesn’t mean you have to leave out trees altogether. There are plenty of miniature options that are perfect for displaying on kitchen countertops or shelving. Go with classic bottlebrush trees or mix and match decorative trees in materials like ceramic, rattan, or wood. If you have a little more space, consider setting up a mini tree on a stool to place in an empty corner or at the end of your island.
7. Swap in plaid accents
Everyone is raving about the “Ralph Lauren Christmas” look, which revolves around a traditional red-and-green color palette and classic patterns like tartan plaid. To bring this look into your kitchen, lean into plaid patterns with accessories like dish towels, a table runner, or even an accent rug. It’s an easy way to bring a cozy, classic vibe to your kitchen Christmas decor.
8. DIY a dried orange garland
If your holiday decor vibe is less Ralph Lauren and more Little Women, dried orange slices are the holiday DIY you should try this season. To make, cut thin slices of oranges, pat them dry, and lay them out on a baking sheet before popping them into the oven on low for a few hours. Once fully dried out, string the colorful slices onto a garland and hang it across a window or along the underside of your cabinets for a pop of festive color. Dried oranges are also great for garnishing drinks, so you may want to save some in a jar to use later. Fill up a canister and display it on your countertop or a shelf for kitchen decor that doubles as cocktail-making supplies.
9. Display holiday dishware and mugs
If you have a collection of holiday platters, Santa mugs, or other Christmas kitchenware, why not put these pieces on display when you’re not using them? Display your favorite seasonal kitchenware on open shelves or in glass-front cabinets, hang holiday mugs on a rack, or use a festive platter as a base for a kitchen table centerpiece. And if you’re tight on space, you can’t go wrong with using items like mugs as storage for peppermint sticks, spoons, or cocktail picks.
10. Light a candle
Lighting a candle is one of the easiest ways to establish a cozy atmosphere. Yes, this tactic works year-round, but I’d argue that it’s even more comforting this time of year. For the holidays, reach for scents like balsam fir, vanilla bean, winterberry, and cinnamon in pretty jars that can double as decor. Instead of just setting a candle on the countertop and calling it a day, turn it into a cute vignette by adding a small tray along with some matches and a candle snuffer.
Sanah Faroke, Contributing Writer
Sanah is a New York City-based writer and editor with a Bachelor of Science in journalism from Boston University. She has a knack for covering all things lifestyle, including new Starbucks drinks, fun seasonal activities to try, stylish home essentials, and even the steepest deals on the internet. Beyond The Everygirl, Sanah’s work has been published at Us Weekly, Real Simple, Food & Wine, Prevention, BestProducts, Delish, PS, and more.
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