This year, Christmas decorating felt very different for me.
Not because I didn’t love it — I really did — but because I approached it with a softer mindset. Less pressure. Less “it has to look a certain way”. More comfort, warmth and creating a home that feels calm at the end of a busy day.
This season has been full in every sense. And instead of chasing perfection, I leaned into what felt right for us — cosy corners, traditional touches and spaces that work for real family life.
This is our Christmas home this year. Lived in, loved, and exactly how it should be.
The Dining Room – Where We Actually Live
The dining room has quietly become my favourite space this Christmas.
I’m not hosting Christmas Day this year, but this table has still been at the heart of our home. Family dinners, busy evenings, candles lit, plates sometimes perfectly styled… and sometimes very much not.
I kept the table classic with greenery running down the centre, tall red candles and traditional place settings. It’s festive without being fussy — and most importantly, it works for everyday life with a four-year-old.
Some nights it looks just like this.
Other nights it tells a very different story by bedtime 😂
And honestly, I love that.
A Traditional Christmas Tree Full of Nostalgia
I’ve always loved a traditional Christmas tree, and this year was no different.
Red, green and gold, velvet bows, baubles collected over time — nothing overly styled or curated. Just familiar, comforting and timeless.
There’s something about a classic tree that instantly makes a room feel festive, no matter what else is going on around it. The glow of the lights in the evening is still one of my favourite moments of the day.
The Living Room – Warmth, Texture & Real Life
The living room is where everything comes together.
The garlands, stockings and soft lighting add that unmistakable Christmas warmth, especially in the evenings when the fire’s on and the rest of the house finally slows down.
This is a room that’s meant to be used — blankets, baskets, toys, and all. I’ve learned to stop striving for it to stay “perfect” and instead enjoy it as it is: cosy, welcoming and full of life.
Cosy Corners & Festive Details
This year I found myself loving the smaller details the most.
The kitchen counter filled with festive mugs and gingerbread characters.
A sleigh tucked onto a windowsill with baubles and greenery.
A Santa figure quietly watching over the room.
These little moments don’t demand attention — but they add so much charm. They’re the touches that make the house feel festive without overwhelming it.
The Bedroom – A Calm Place to Land
By the time the day is done, this room is my sanctuary.
I kept the bedroom decor simple but cosy — tartan bedding, soft lighting and just enough Christmas to feel seasonal without disrupting rest. After busy days and long evenings, this space has felt grounding and comforting.
Sometimes Christmas decorating isn’t about adding more — it’s about creating spaces that help you slow down.
Decorating for Real Life (Not a Show Home)
One thing this season has reminded me of is that homes are meant to be lived in.
There are cushions moved, blankets piled up, toys appearing where they shouldn’t and decor that shifts daily. And that’s okay.
Christmas doesn’t need to be perfect to be magical.
A Slower, Simpler Christmas
This year’s decor reflects where I am right now.
Less rushing.
Less comparison.
More intention.
More family dinners.
More cosy evenings.
More soaking it all in while it’s here.
Because before we know it, the decorations will be packed away again — and what I want to remember most isn’t how it looked, but how it felt.
✨ If there’s one thing I’ve learned this Christmas, it’s this:
You don’t need more decorations.
You just need the ones that make your home feel like home.
The Shed Diaries 
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