19 Easy and Cozy Neutral Christmas Tree Decor Ideas

As the festive season approaches, I can’t help but immerse myself in the magical world of Christmas decorations. This year, I’ve fallen head over heels for the timeless charm of neutral Christmas tree decor. Something about the soft hues and cozy vibes really speaks to me.

In today’s post, we’re shining a spotlight on the ever-popular neutral Christmas tree aesthetic. First, we’ll explore the trend of neutral home decor for Christmas, and then I’ll share my personal tips on how to adorn a Christmas tree using 19 absolutely delightful neutral Christmas tree decor ideas. These ideas can be easily incorporated into your own festive setup. Finally, as a special treat, I’ll open the doors to my home, taking you on a virtual tour of the my seven neutral trees I’ve lovingly decorated. Get ready to view some neutral Christmas magic!

Today, I’m thrilled to be part of a gathering of skilled bloggers, graciously hosted by my friend Laura @decortoadore. If you’ve arrived here from Kelly’s blog @thetatteredpew, a warm welcome to you! I have no doubt you loved her homespun ideas.

On my blog WM Design House, I may sometimes use affiliate links, which means a small commission is earned if you purchase via the link. The price will be the same whether you use the affiliate link or go directly to the vendor’s website using a non-affiliate link.

Trends for Christmas Decor in 2023

This year’s holiday season is all about a mixture of contemporary styles and timeless classics, and leading the pack is the ultra-chic neutral Christmas decor trend. In 2023, we’re seeing a rise in the popularity of muted tones, earthy palettes, and soft textures that bring a feeling of serenity and sophistication. More than just a color scheme, neutral decor offers a blank canvas for creativity while maintaining a cozy and inviting atmosphere.

Neutral Christmas Colors

When it comes to Christmas, we often envision bold reds, rich greens, and vibrant golds. However, neutral Christmas colors offer a refreshing departure from tradition. Neutral hues for Christmas include a soothing palette of whites, soft creams, gentle grays, golds, terracotta and warm taupes. These neutral tones not only bring a touch of elegance but also provide a versatile backdrop, allowing you to experiment with layering and different textures.

How to Decorate a Neutral Christmas Tree

Now that we’ve set the stage with the enchanting allure of neutral Christmas colors, let’s dive into the art of decorating a neutral Christmas tree. The key to a captivating tree is in the details.

First and foremost, let there be light! Give your tree charm by weaving strands of warm white lights or soft gold Christmas lights. The gentle glow will illuminate the neutral colors and create a cozy ambiance.

When it comes to neutral ornaments, embrace a mix of finishes for maximum impact. Combine matte and glossy baubles in shades of gold, silver, and ivory. Consider incorporating metallic elements to introduce depth and sophistication and natural elements for rustic elegance. And don’t shy away from getting crafty and making your own DIY Christmas ornaments for a special personal touch.

To add dimension, vary the size and shape of your ornaments. Hang delicate items alongside larger statement pieces and consider incorporating textured elements for a tactile experience.

In the world of neutral Christmas trees, it’s the thoughtful blend of textures, finishes, and shine that transforms a tree into a mesmerizing focal point. So, let your creativity shine as you adorn your neutral canvas with elements that spark joy and capture the magic of the season!

Next, I’ll share some of my favorite neutral Christmas decorations you can add to a tree, or a Christmas centerpiece, or use them to decorate your living space for the Christmas season.

Neutral Christmas Tree Decor Ideas

Ready to transform your tree into a neutral wonderland? I’ve curated a list of 19 decor ideas to inspire your creativity. From natural elements to rustic accents, each suggestion adds a unique touch to your neutral tree.

1. Dried hydrangeas

Add a touch of timeless beauty with dried hydrangeas. Their muted hues blend seamlessly with a neutral palette.

2. Natural Rope Garland

Enhance the tree’s texture with a natural rope garland, adding a rustic charm that complements the simplicity of neutrals.

3. Bird Nest Lights

Illuminate your tree with the whimsy of bird nest lights, creating a magical and nature-inspired ambiance.

Crafted from a battery-operated candle and a miniature bird’s nest, these charming lamps illuminate my tree . Adorning them with delicate paper shades from the talented @frenchdoorstudio, whose artistry and stunning graphics never cease to amaze. You can read the “how-to card” below the images for directions on how to make these darling lamps for your tree.

4. Dried Orange Ornaments

Add a burst of warmth and fragrance to your tree with dried orange ornaments.

5. Natural Mushroom Ornaments

Embrace fairytale woodland charm with natural mushroom ornaments.

6. Neutral Plates and Cups

Integrate elegance into your tree with neutral plates and cups, a unique and unexpected ornament choice.

7. Pinecones

Classic and versatile, pinecones bring a touch of nature to your neutral theme.

Add an eyescrew to the bottom of the pinecone, weave a ribbon through the eye, and tie the pine cone to the tree.

8. Wood Bead Garlands

String wood bead garlands for a boho-chic flair; an easy way to introduce a hint of playfulness.

9. Antlers

Adding antlers is a great way to bring a rustic feel to your neutral holiday display.

10. Birds

Elevate your tree’s allure and add a graceful touch with delicate bird ornaments.

11. Natural Branches

Bring the outdoors in by incorporating natural branches. This creates a visually dynamic and organic look.

12. Feathers

The light and airy quality of feathers adds a natural touch to the bird’s nests in any Christmas tree.

13. Rustic Bells

Add a festive jingle with rustic bells, bringing in a cozy and nostalgic charm.

14. Velvet Ribbon

Introduce luxury with velvet ribbon. Tie it into bows or drape it gracefully for a touch of opulence against the neutral backdrop.

15. Mercury Glass Ornaments

Reflect light with the elegance of mercury glass ornaments, adding a vintage touch to your tree.

16. Wooden Ornaments

Embrace a rustic vibe with wooden ornaments, each piece bringing a piece of nature’s beauty.

17. White Ornaments

Keep it classic and elegant with a selection of white ornaments. White decor is a simple way to create a serene and cohesive look.

18. Woodland Animals

Invite whimsy with woodland animal ornaments, adding a playful element to your neutral Christmas decor.

19. Candles

Infuse your space with a cozy and intimate ambiance by integrating battery-operated candles. Suspend them within your Christmas tree using a discreet fishing line for a whimsical touch of holiday magic.

My Neutral Christmas Tree Decor

This year, I have gone all out and decorated seven neutral Christmas trees in my home. Some big and some small. Even though each tree has its own unique decorations and theme, they all tie together beautifully. This is because I’ve used a neutral color palette and many of the neutral Christmas decor ideas listed above. Join me on a Christmas home tour, all decked out to celebrate the most wonderful time of the year!

Kitchen

In my kitchen, you’ll find the cutest little Christmas tree in the center of my island. Here, my DIY air-dried clay gingerbread ornaments are the stars of the show. To create this look, I strung my new ornaments with velvet ribbon. Not only were they easy and so much fun to make, but they are also the perfect unique pieces for neutral Christmas decorating in the kitchen.

Coffee Table

Some people find tabletop trees challenging to decorate, but I love the challenge. This small tree lives on the coffee table in my home’s family room and is decorated with another DIY neutral Christmas tree decoration: 3D printable gingerbread houses and I have made these available to downlaod for free to my e-mail subscribers.

I love the simple but impactful statement they make when strung up with velvet ribbon. If you’re looking for more coffee table decor ideas, check out my post about how to style the best Christmas decor for coffee tables.

Family Room

Moving on to the large trees, you’ll also find these beauties in the family room. My woodland trees are decked out in all sorts of neutral Christmas tree decor, including pinecones, velvet ribbon, wooden bead garland, antlers, natural mushrooms, wool felt garland, and rustic bells. Another fun feature is that the trees are nestled inside a genuine wood tree box, giving it an even more impressive overall look for the neutral Christmas theme.

I tied the mantel decor in to match the tree with simple greenery, curly willow, and pinecones tied with raw-edged velvet ribbon.

Living Room

The neutral tree in my living room is a flocked tree decorated with various textures that make for an elegant display. This cozy Christmas tree features natural dried hydrangeas from my garden, twine garland, branches of rustic bells, white woodland animals, candles, tassels, fur ornaments, birds, and white felt poinsettias. While this might seem like a lot of decorating ideas, the combination of neutral colors and layers of different textures is truly stunning.

This is the original fireplace in our home, built in 1898. I decorated it with both mercury glass and moss trees, a moss birdhouse, a green garland, brass bells, dehydrated oranges, and our blue and white stockings.

Dining Room

The theme of my dining room tree is dried oranges. This natural tree is full of handmade orange slice ornaments. You’ll also find white ironstone pieces, including pitchers, plates, and cups filled with dried oranges, in addition to pine cones, velvet ribbon, feathers, bird nest candle lamps, wooden ornaments, white berries, and orange Christmas tree ribbons. This collection of neutral Christmas tree decorating ideas looks particularly pretty against the natural greenery of this tree.

Finally, I extended a touch of orange throughout the dining room and butler’s pantry, ensuring a cohesive look for the entire house.

To achieve this, I delicately dehydrated whole oranges, including both green and orange varieties, using the air fryer at a low and gradual pace. Afterward, I affixed an eye screw to the top of each dried fruit and threaded a piece of velvet ribbon through it, elegantly securing them to the tree.

Now it is time to move on to Yvonne @stonegableblog. Yvonne is very talented and will show you how to transform your old ornaments into works of art.

Conclusion

As we wrap up our tour of neutral Christmas tree decor, I hope these ideas have sparked your imagination. As you put on the Christmas music and start your holiday celebrations, remember that the true magic lies in adding your personal touch. Here’s to creating a beautiful and cozy space to celebrate the season. Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays!