Look Out the Window
Holiday decorating is so fun, unless you don’t have the space or time.
The Christmas tree and stocking holders are a given, but why not think outside the
standard Christmas decor playbook and deck your windows with boughs of holly?
Your windows are your personal weather channel, your blessed source of natural
light—and prime venues for holiday accents. Take things to the next level this year
by giving your windows all the gleaming & glitzy attention on they deserve, both
inside and outside.
The most obvious way to add festivity is to introduce greenery. “Adding a
simple wreath is a fail-safe and beautifully classic solution for decoratng windows
and a timeless way to give your home instant holiday curb appeal," says Lissette
Fernandez of the California-based firm Together Home Design Studio . If you have
more than one window, she recommends cutting each piece so the wreath lands
in the center of each window. Then, you can top each off with ribbons. “A three-
to five-inch-wide ribbon works best to help keep the wreath from turning in the
wind,” Fernandez adds. "And at that size, if facing outward or outside, it can be
seen from the street."
And you don’t need to stick with pine boughs. “Sometimes typical evergreens can
look out of place in, say, a kitchen,” points out Rick Davis, who helms Washington,
D.C. floral and event decor company Amaryllis alongside his partner, Christopher
Vazquez. “So we like to use a combination of fresh bay and pepper berry instead.
The herbs lend themselves to a look suited for that space.”
Below are several festive ways to dress up your windows this year. I particularly
like #5 with the fall leaves. Trust that every glance out at the display will remind
you of the holiday season.
Courtesy Ikea
1 . Festive Lamp Shades
These Ikea bamboo lamp shades will turn your windows into a Scandi-Christmas
dream. Shaped like an intricate snowflake, they don't emit light on their own but
can turn any cold LED light into a warm, cozy hue if placed over it.
Courtesy Etsy
2 . Winter Wonderland Stickers
Look outside your window and see a quiet European town bedecked in snow.
Okay, it's just these winter village s ckers that you can place on your windows, but
who cares? They instantly make you feel like you're living in a winter wonderland,
and that's all that matters.
Courtesy West Elm
3. Felt Snowflakes
Hang these felt snowflakes over your window, and they might just conjure a white
Christmas this year. Whether they're a harbinger of real snow or not, there's no
denying that the endearing decora ons bring forth holiday cheer.
Courtesy Wayfair
4 . Starry Night
The crisp, clean air gives way to a beau ful starry night in the winter. But if you
live somewhere where the clouds (or light pollu on) frequently cover the night
sky, then these starry lights can take over and deliver a similar effect.
Courtesy Twinkling Tree
5. Feelings of Fall, Forever
Perhaps the saddest part of winter is that there are no more fiery leaves to gawk
at. Well, with this twinkling maple garland, you can forever look out the window
to see a bright show of lights and leaves. This garland is available in a variety of
colors and leaves, so we recommend checking them out to find your perfect
match.
Courtesy Anthropologie
6. Window Garland Border
Garlands draped around a window create a charming and festive frame, adding a
touch of nature and warmth to the space. Whether adorned with twinkling lights,
ornaments, or le simple and natural, they draw the eye upward, enhancing the
illusion of the room's height. Take a page from Anthropologie's book in this
elegant Christmas bedroom.
Courtesy Rejuvenation
7. Kitchen Window Display
Decorating a kitchen window with garland brings a deligh ul mix of elegance and
fes vity to one of the home's most func onal spaces. The garland, draped across
or around the window, so ens the room's clean lines with its organic charm.
Courtesy Coral & Tusk
8. Candle Window Display
A window adorned with candles on the ledge exudes a warm, invi ng glow that's
perfect for a reading nook like this. Whether placed in elegant holders (like this
look from Coral & Tusk) or simple glass jars, the candles bring an amazing
ambiance to the space. Just make sure to watch your curtains and make sure
you're in the room when they're lit!
Courtesy Christine Higgs
9. Evergreen Window
Have a wider window? Nothing calls to the homesick mountain dweller like a
lineup of mini ar ficial evergreens. Whether or not you’ve got the ski-fever
inducing backdrop that this Arhaus shot boasts, these charming window addi ons
are sure to exude all the indoor cozy vibes.
Stoffer Photography
10. Minimalist Holiday Windows
When the room’s design scheme is its own “wow” moment, li le is needed to give
it a holiday glow-up. In this banque e just off the kitchen, Illinois-based Kate
Marker strung a charming set of evergreen wreaths across the room’s backyard
facing windows. Fa la la!
Stoffer Photography
11. Department Story-Worthy Window
Rrrrring. Macy’s called and they’re asking for window display inspo. Talk to
Marker, who strung up brass bells across this large open window to add dimension
and class in spades. It’s total eye candy, minus the 10-degree freeze blast on 34th
Street.
Madeline Harper
12. Graceful Evergreen Garland
Once again, Casey brings a seasonal touch to her East Texas lake house with a long
strand of evergreen garland, which frames the double doors leading to the
backyard. We’re especially loving how she brought in an evergreen-colored
checked duvet to e it all together. Fa la la!
Jenn Verrier
13. Indoor Kitchen Wreaths
Outside-facing windows are the obvious mount for holiday decor, but what if your
house presents addi onal apertures? Amaryllis’s Rick Davis takes advantage of the
windows above his kitchen sink with a trifecta of botanics. “It doesn’t feel like
Christmas un l we hang these wreaths in the kitchen,” he tells ELLE DECOR. “The
kitchen is the room most people don’t really think about decora ng for the
holidays, yet it’s the most daily used room besides the bedroom in the house.”
Here, an arrangement of amaryllis, ilex berries, pine cones, and evergreens sits
atop a circa-1800s trunk in Davis’s Maryland farmhouse. Who knew cooking in
December could be so much more fun?
Johner Images // Getty Images
14. Go Even Smaller
Don’t have space for a floor tree? Go even smaller with a miniature windowsill
tree—bonus points if said tree is bedecked with its own ny ornaments. Whether
you’re going for the whimsical woodland look or a classic neutral, sometimes the
tiniest things can make the biggest statement.
ERIN FRANCOIS
15. Garland Window Decor
Be honest, the kitchen is your prime hangout spot most days. Decorator Erin
Francois’s lead and give it some holiday-happy flourishes. Here, Francois strung a
bough of garland across the window’s mid-way point, topping it off with a robin’s
egg blue ribbon and a gold accent light fixture. Who knows, maybe the kids tasked
with dish washing duty will complain just a tad less under such a cheerful display.
Madeline Harper
16. Entryway Wreath
In the winter, front doors can become the proverbial junk drawer of boots, coats,
scarves, sleds, sports equipment—and anything else family members shed
immediately upon entering. This cheery Christmas wreath charmingly perched on
the Caseys’s front door is sure to draw the eye upward and away from any eyesore
moments might be plaguing your very-lived-in house. Rest assured, your drop-in
neighbor will have nothing but good things to say.
Charu Goyal // EyeEm // Getty Images
17. Pink Party
We’re hopping over to Londontown now for a peek into Peggy Porschen Parlour’s
pink window display. The shop’s famous bejeweled cookies and Christmas cakes
aren’t the only thing magical about this Chelsea parlor. The exquisitely cra ed
gingerbread houses and faux snow create a dreamy winter wonderland against
the tree backdrop—proof that a concealed window is not a lost opportunity.
Lene Bjerre Design
18. Illuminated Window
Candles bring all the cozy vibes. We're loving this mismatched candle scene,
courtesy of Danish interior firm Lene Bjerre, who brought in a series of eclec c
candle holders sourced from various retailers. Thrifting trip, anyone?
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Maryna Terletska // Getty Images
19. Maximalist Christmas Window
If you can’t decide between a garland, wreath, or decora ve object, include them
all! In this elegant and moody living room, a mishmash of red and green decor
items makes for a window scene that is a world within a world.
svetikd // Getty Images
20. Grounding Window Decor
Have kids, cats, or guests that have no understanding of “don’t touch the window
decor”? A simple po ed evergreen at the foot of your window might be the
easiest way to give it new life. Bonus: It can be repotted, come spring, into
something more summer-centric.
Johner Images // Getty Images
21. Starry-Eyed Window Decor
No, you haven’t lost your mind. We’re seeing stars too. This Scandinavian-inspired
vignette is everything our nordic-loving hearts need in these cold holiday months.
Observe: a large red n star (not unlike this one) hangs above two smaller lantern
lamps (here). Is that a chorus of angels singing about it, or just your very hungry
cat?
Natalia Lebedinskaia // Getty Images
22. Nostalgic Christmas Window
Come winter, a window is more than a porthole to the outside world. It can also
be the backdrop for an art display. Whether you have kids who are eager to bust
out the scissors, or you yourself enjoy the nostalgic pasme, hang some DIY paper
snowflakes on your window for a fes ve reminder that the holidays hold so much
magic. We also love the village created out of paper at the foot of this large
window. Talk about a vibe shift.
Madeline Harper
23. Petite Holly Wreath
Anastasia Casey, in line with her light-and-bright brand The Interior Collective,
employs a small, singular wreath with a simple red velvet bow to complete this
corner vignette. “Focus on natural elements and texture,” she tells ELLE DECOR.
“So many pieces from spring and summer can transi on to winter decor—like
olive branches, cedar sprigs, and even holly—but the key is pairing it with richly
textured items.”
Madeline Harper
24. Five Golden Wreaths
On the fifth day of Christmas, in my house you could see—five green-and-golden
wreaths! For a seasonal moment that doesn’t feel like the already-been-done
single-wreath look, Casey hung five wreaths in varying sizes and composi ons
(eucalyptus, rosemary sprigs, magnolia leaves, and evergreen). Each is topped off
with a gold ribbon that hangs floppily for a rus c look. Hot p: These suc on
window hooks are perfect for a no-show reveal.
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Anne Rhett
25. Pedestal Arrangement
This departure from the classic red-and-green look is convincing us to take the
road (or window, rather) less traveled. In this vigne e, designer and event
planner Gregory Blake Sams, uses a wooden plinth as a host to a billowing
bouquet of orange florals. We’re loving the stately side sconce that seems to be in
conversa on with it all.
Katie Nixon Photography
26. A Festooned Boxwood Wreath
For a more clean-cut look, we’re loving this boxwood wreath by Caitlin Wilson’s
namesake brand. It’s simple, elegant, and adds a bright and happy green hue to a
space.
Crossing Seven Seas Art and Home Decor
27. Miniature Bell Garland
Christmas bells are a popular symbol of the holiday season, a sound that signifies
the arrival of cheery mes. These mini golden cowbells, then, are an elegant
window addi on that feels an que and rus c without looking cheap (at this steal
of a deal, your impressed house guests will be none the wiser).
Lucy Call
28. Dual-Purpose Wreath
Why should the doors get all the wreath action? Windows, after all, are the object
of our house’s oh-so-necessary natural light. Here’s a Christmas window
decora ng idea that’s as easy as it is impressive: Hang a wreath in a window that
faces your front yard for modest-yet-fes ve holiday bling. You’re offering indoor
and outdoor eye candy. “The key to holiday styling is to not overlook the small
stuff,” advises designer Shea McGee of Studio McGee.
Madeline Harper
29. Twin Window Wreaths
Only the most effortless pieces make their way into Casey’s holiday home. The
so silhoue es of these window wreaths are as fuss-free as they are polished.
And we’ll let you in on a secret—they’re doing more work in this room than you
think. “Placing objects above the sightline draws the eye upward and creates the
illusion of added height in a room,” Casey explains.
Ray Kachatorian // Getty Images
30. Draped Window Wreaths
There’s an art to ribbon-draping, and the designer behind this festive living room
has nailed it (literally). In this chic indoor window display, small wreaths are
connected at each window corner by a long red ribbon. A though ul red accent
elsewhere in the ribbon—here, a cozy red throw blanket—anchors the room.
Helaine Weide // Getty Images
31. Bring on the Metallic Bells
When it comes to Christmas decorations, jingle bells are as classic as it gets.
They’re an unexpected and tasteful accent that can easily play up the holiday
spirit.
Elle Décor, Rachel Silva and Bianca Kratky, Nov 19, 2025
