Country Christmas Living Room Makeover in a Weekend

A good country Christmas living room should feel like you just stepped into a warm cabin: soft lights, real or faux greenery, cozy textiles, and a tree that anchors the whole space.

This guide walks through a weekend makeover you can actually finish, using Amazon-friendly decor so you can grab everything in one run.

Step 1: Start with the Tree and the Base

The tree is the visual anchor for the whole room. If your old tree is sparse or lopsided, this is where an upgrade has the biggest impact.

Choose a pre-lit, flocked or natural-green tree sized correctly for your ceiling height.
Add a country-style tree skirt in buffalo plaid, burlap, or faux fur.
If you dislike the metal stand showing, use a tree collar or woven basket.

A buffalo plaid tree skirt instantly pushes the look toward “cozy cabin” instead of generic big-box decor.

Get a 48-inch buffalo plaid Christmas tree skirt that fits most 6–7.5 ft trees on Amazon.

If you prefer a smaller footprint for tight living rooms, a 36-inch buffalo plaid skirt works well under slimmer trees.

See a compact black-and-white buffalo plaid tree skirt option on Amazon.

Step 2: Layer in Rustic Lanterns and Gentle Lighting

Country Christmas lighting should be warm and low-glare. Think lanterns, candles, and small twinkle lights instead of a wall of LEDs.

Ideas that work well together:

A pair of rustic metal or wood lanterns on the mantel, console, or hearth
Flameless LED candles inside lanterns so you can leave them “on” all evening
A strand or two of warm-white string lights on the mantel or around a window
Optional: mason-jar style string lights for a farmhouse touch

One statement lantern decorated with greenery and a tartan bow can carry an entire corner of the room.

Check out a rustic metal Christmas lantern with greenery and flameless candle on Amazon.

For shelf or window accents, small wood lanterns with included flameless candles are an easy way to repeat the look without wiring or outlets.

Browse a set of wooden farmhouse lanterns with LED candles for tiered trays or shelves.

Step 3: Add Buffalo Plaid Throws and Pillows

Textiles are where the “cozy” really happens. A mix of sherpa, flannel, and knit textures will make the room feel like winter—without it feeling cold.

Focus on three things:

A main throw blanket in buffalo plaid or classic tartan
One or two neutral throws (cream, tan, or forest green) to soften the pattern
Pillow covers you can slip over your existing inserts

If your furniture is neutral, a red-and-black or green-and-white plaid throw over the arm of the sofa immediately reads “country Christmas.”

See a reversible buffalo plaid sherpa throw blanket designed for couches and beds.

If you want something slightly more subtle, black-and-white buffalo plaid throws pair well with leather sofas and wood coffee tables.

Explore a black buffalo plaid sherpa throw that still feels rustic but more neutral.

Step 4: Style the Coffee Table, Mantel, and Side Tables

Once the big pieces are in place, move to the surfaces people actually see and use. This is where you can introduce small gifts and stocking-stuffer-sized decor that also live in your Amazon cart.

Consider:

A round or rectangular wooden tray on the coffee table
A cluster of mini holiday candles in pine, vanilla, or cider scents
A small vase or jar with faux greenery and berries
A simple nativity set or wood “JOY / NOEL / MERRY” blocks
Coasters that match your country theme

Mini candle sets pull double duty: they look good on a tray during December and can be split into little gifts for guests or teachers.

Get a 10-piece Christmas mini candle gift set with assorted seasonal scents.

If you prefer a recognizable name, a small Yankee Candle set in classic Christmas scents works well on side tables or consoles.

Check a trio of mini holiday candles from a well-known brand on Amazon.

Step 5: Finish with Scent, Sound, and Small Touches

The last 10–15% of the makeover is all about how the room feels when people sit down.

Add:

A holiday playlist heavy on country Christmas tracks
One or two stronger scented candles (balsam, pine, “fireside”) placed away from the seating area
A small basket by the sofa with extra throws for guests
Coasters and a country-style mug or cow-print tumbler within reach

A single, good-looking tumbler on the coffee table that matches your aesthetic makes the space feel lived-in instead of staged.

See a western cow-print insulated tumbler that fits perfectly into a country Christmas living room.

How to Pull It Together in a Single Weekend

Day 1 (Friday night / Saturday morning)

Measure your ceiling height and tree corner.
Order or unbox the tree, tree skirt/collar, and key lighting pieces.
Move furniture slightly if needed so the tree is visible from the main seating area.

Day 2 (Saturday afternoon)

Set up and fluff the tree.
Add the tree skirt, collar, and main ornaments.
Place lanterns and string lights.

Day 3 (Sunday)

Layer in throws and pillows.
Style coffee table, mantel, and side tables.
Add finishing touches: candles, coasters, mug or tumbler.

Take a few photos when you’re done. If the room feels like a place where you’d happily snow in for a weekend with hot cocoa and a country playlist, you’ve hit the Country Holladays mark.