As the holiday season approaches, many of us start thinking about how to decorate our homes to create a warm and welcoming atmosphere. One of the most popular ways to achieve this festive feeling is to incorporate greenery into our decor.
Greenery not only adds a touch of nature and elegance to our homes, but it also symbolizes new beginnings, growth, and hope – themes that are particularly relevant during the holiday season.

In this blog post, we will explore some creative ways that I used greenery to decorate throughout my living room for the holidays. We will discuss how to create stunning mantel garlands, transform entryway mirrors into festive focal points, and scatter greenery throughout the room for a touch of holiday cheer.
Whether you are a seasoned decorator or a novice, I hope you will find inspiration from our ideas and create a holiday living room that is both beautiful and meaningful.
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Choosing Complementary Greenery Varieties
When selecting greenery for your holiday decor, first consider the different types of greenery available and how they will complement each other to create a visually appealing and cohesive arrangement.
I will be showing you a mix of artificial greenery and real greenery and flowers and how I combined them to get a charming holiday look.
Here are some key factors to keep in mind:
~These tips work for real and artificial greenery~
Color:
- Color harmony: Choose greenery varieties that share a similar color palette to create a sense of unity and balance. For instance, a combination of deep greens(cedar/fir) and silvery greens (eucalyptus) can create a sophisticated and elegant look.
- Color contrast: To add visual interest and depth, incorporate greenery varieties with contrasting colors. For example, pairing dark green foliage with pops of a brighter color (red berries for example) or white pine cones can create a striking and festive arrangement.
Texture:
- Textural variety: Combine greenery with different textures to add dimension and visual intrigue. For instance, incorporating smooth-leaved eucalyptus with rough-textured pine branches can create a dynamic and engaging arrangement.
- Textural balance: Ensure that the textures of your greenery complement each other harmoniously. Avoid overwhelming the arrangement with too many rough textures or too many delicate textures.
Shape:
- Shape harmony: Select greenery varieties with similar shapes to create a cohesive and balanced arrangement. For example, combining round-leaved magnolia with spiky pine branches can create a visually pleasing contrast.
- Shape variety: To add visual interest, incorporate greenery with different shapes
Size:
- Scale balance: Use greenery of varying sizes to create a sense of proportion and balance. Avoid overpowering the arrangement with too much large greenery or too much small greenery.
- Visual focus: Use larger greenery pieces to create focal points and draw the eye to specific areas of the arrangement. For instance, a large evergreen branch can serve as the anchor for a table arrangement.
By carefully considering the color, texture, shape, and size of your greenery choices, you can create stunning and cohesive arrangements that enhance your holiday decor.
Crafting a Stunning Mantel Garland
Mantels are just fun to decorate! Plus at the holidays there is something nostalgic about a decorated fireplace whether it be a real wood-burning fireplace or not.
Let me show you step-by-step how I achieved this stunning holiday look on my mantle with mostly natural textures and items. Plus, I only had to buy the fresh greenery. Everything else I already owned.
Start With A Garland Base
My secret to getting a very full look is to use 2 different artificial garlands. I am using a real-touch noble fir and a cedar garland. Available at Terrain and Afloral.
Gather Materials
To embellish the artificial garlands for the mantel I will be adding fresh magnolia, seeded eucalyptus, whole dried oranges, pinecones, and pheasant feathers.
Make Centerpiece
In the center of the mantel, I wanted to add a centerpiece. This one was so simple to put together. I filled this thrift store urn (it was filled with an ugly flower arrangement but the urn was so cool!) with a few white-tipped pinecones, a dried lotus pod, and a few small sprigs of greens and eucalyptus.
Add Decorative Holiday Items
For a little touch of metallic I strung a bell garland across the mantle, weaving through the greenery to keep it in place. Mine is sold out but this one from Michael’s for 2024 is really nice, I was in the store looking at it yesterday.
On each end of the mantel, I placed grapevine garden orbs that I picked up last Fall at a local antique shop for $6.50 each.
The orbs not only add another layer of natural materials, they also add more texture and visual interest to this project.
Next to the centerpiece I popped in vine trees ( at Hobby Lobby with the grapevine wreaths and also available at Michael’s) Then I finished it off with a set of green fuzzy yarn trees from a local shop.
Layer In Natural Greenery
Trader Joe’s is my go-to spot for fresh greenery and flowers. They have the best selection and amazing prices. For the mantel I am using one bunch of fresh magnolia ($5.99) and one of seeded eucalyptus ($3.99)
The larger magnolia leaves add a different shape to each end of the garland and the rich copper backs of the leaves bring in another layer of color.
Using the more delicate seeded eucalyptus brings in silvery blue and the draping seeds look pretty.
Natural Extra Touches
To really make this garland look extra special I finished it off with whole dried oranges, and a couple of larger pinecones, and a few pheasant feathers.
I picked up the dried oranges at a local antique shop for $6, I thought it was a good time saver. Here is a step by step to make them yourself…but they take 10+ hours in the oven, but if you have a dehydrator they would be a great thing to try!
Oh, and a string of battery-operated fairy lights woven throughout the entire garland and around the cone trees and orbs.
2024 Holiday Garlands
Finished Holiday Mantel
Everything came together so nicely! The metallic bells add a little sparkle to the mantle. The oranges add a pop of color and the natural greenery gives it different shades of green.
The small fairy lights add just the right amount of light without overwhelming this festive display.
My wall hangings were from World Market about 5 years ago. I’ve found some that you can use to achieve the same style this year: 2-pack vintage botanical prints or this Christmas sheet music one.
Embracing Greenery: Glam Entryway Mirror
To get that magazine vibe in your home why don’t you try an asymmetrical garland over one of your mirrors? It’s pretty easy to do!
As a base for the natural greenery and flowers, I am going to use I laid a small piece of artificial cedar garland around the arc of my mirror (source). Any green garland would work as long as it isn’t too thick.
Add Eucalyptus
Once I had the garland in place I tucked in pieces of seeded eucalyptus around the mirror. If you don’t have access to real you could always use faux eucalyptus (Amazon).
What I love about the eucalyptus is that is drapes so nicely and when it dries out it holds it color and shape.
Finish With Flowers
For a pretty, delicate look I finished off the mirror with small bunches of a delicate green flower (Trader Joe’s) and sprigs of baby’s breath that I spraypainted gold.
On my Christmas tree, I also added small clusters of the gold baby’s breath…so pretty!
For that extra holiday touch, I used 2 gold bell picks (Hobby Lobby). They are $2.99 and are in the holiday pick aisle.
To finish off this holiday glam look I hung my DIY Modern Jingle Bell Wreath on the mirror. On the entryway table is a silver dish filled with white-tipped pinecones and a set of Gold Berry DIY Topiary Trees.
Winter Arrangement
I wanted to add a fresh arrangement for my coffee table for the holiday season. This one was so simple to make!
Materials:
- Fresh Greens
- Silver Dollar Eucalyptus
- Dried Starflowers
The container for this arrangement was a thrift store flip I painted a couple of years ago, it’s large and gives Pottery Barn vibes…perfect for the look I am going for in the living room!
Inside I put a glass vase of water since this container is so large it helps keep the greenery from flopping over.
First into the vase was fresh evergreen. You can purchase bunches at your local home improvement store or Trader Joe’s and if you are lucky enough you have access to fresh greens around your home.
Then I added surrounded the winter greens with the eucalyptus so it flowed over the edges.
Right in the middle I added the bunch of dried starflowers that I saved from my garden. They add an unexpected touch to this holiday arrangement.
Such an easy look and it took less than 5 minutes to put together!
Scattering Greenery Throughout the Living Room
Winter greenery just makes your home feel warm and cozy for the holidays. Like your very own Hallmark movie.
Let me show you the other spots where I added greenery in my living room this season.
Layer Greenery Around Wall Art
Over my DIY Snowflake Wall Art I draped a small piece of cedar garland cut from a longer one ( I used the other half over the entryway mirror). Keeping in line with the rest of the space I tucked in a few sprigs of eucalyptus and finished it off with a string of battery-operated globe lights.
Fill A Vintage Container With Greenery
Inside a vintage French double decalitre, I popped in a bundle of fresh greens. Super simple look. To add more color you could add a bunch of red winter berries too.
Easy Planter Bowl Arrangement
One other fresh arrangement that I made for my living room was a black planter bowl. Inside I added a piece of wet floral foam to keep it fresh.
Then I added one bunch of Trader Joe’s magnolia stems ($5.99) and fresh juniper sprigs that I found in a field by my house.
Today I hope you have found inspiration from my ideas for incorporating greenery into your home. By embracing the natural beauty of greenery, you can create a warm, welcoming, and festive atmosphere.
Remember, the key is to choose complementary greenery varieties that create a visually appealing and cohesive arrangement. With a little creativity, you can transform any room in your home into a cozy holiday haven.
So, as you decorate your home for the holidays this year, don’t forget to incorporate the beauty of greenery. With its versatility, symbolism, and natural benefits, greenery is sure to add a touch of magic to your holiday decor.
See more of this space and learn a few budget holiday decorating tips.
Thank you for reading!
xo, Jennifer
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Jennifer, You have outdone yourself this holiday. I have been rather slow to decide on how to decorate my family room but your natural look with lots of greenery ect has finally shown me how I want my house to feel this Christmas. We have had alot of personal stress in our family and I spent Thanksgiving in the hospital. Surgery coming up mid month so I am trying to stay in the moment and do a little bit at a time. Actually alot less self created stress over creating the perfect home.
Thankyou so much and have a blessed Christmas and New Year.
Oh Kathy. I am sorry to hear that! Let me know when you are going in for surgery, I hope everything is alright!
Such great ideas Jennifer!
Your mantel looks stunning. I love all of your beautiful decorations with the greenery. I believe greenery is the basis for decorating for any holiday. Love your tips about incorporating the greens in holiday decoration.
Beautiful Jennifer and you shared great tips. I enjoy using dried oranges in our home.
Thanks so much Cindy!!
Thank you friend!!!