Mood Board: A Modern Traditional Christmas Living Room

Nov 23

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When designing a living room, I always start with one guiding question: How can I make this space feel warm and heritage inspired, while still looking fresh and modern?

This mood board illustrates my answer pretty well. While the Modern Traditional Christmas living room is accented for the holidays, it’s core design is seasonless. Layered with rich neutrals, warm textures, and the perfect mix of contemporary and traditional, the room feels elevated without being fussy.

In this space, I wanted to create a cozy holiday atmosphere that works seamlessly with a modern everyday home. That means earthy tones, natural materials, simple greenery, and a few vintage-inspired accents that make the room feel collected rather than over-decorated. Here’s how I pulled the entire look together.

The Color Palette: Warm, Earthy, and Deeply Cozy

Okay. I’m obsessed with this color palette. I started by grounding the palette in deep charcoals, warm browns, muted greens, and soft stone neutrals. This mix brings a moody, wintery coziness without leaning too dark. The golden honey accent color, brought in through the armchair, floor lamp, bells, and pillows, adds that perfect warm contrast while still staying true to a Modern Traditional aesthetic.

Tip: Don’t be afraid to use your home’s color palette in your holiday decorating. In this mood board, I swapped out the traditional red bow on the wreath for brown, and it looks so chic!

The Sofa: A Modern Shape with Classic Styling

The living room is anchored by a sectional in the color “smoke” that feels tailored but still sink-in comfortable. I love how this deeper upholstery color instantly adds mood and makes the holiday elements pop.

Plaid pillows in subtle brown and grayed out navy tones, with pops of gold, were the inspiration for the room design’s entire color palette. They pull in that classic, almost nostalgic feel that Modern Traditional design is known for.

The Accents: A Mix of Texture + Warm Wood

To balance the deeper tones, I added:

A round wood coffee table with caning details
An amber-brown velvet accent chair for a pop of warmth
A patterned vintage-inspired rug that sets the cozy foundation
Brass accents and lighting for a soft, warm glow

Together, these pieces create that layered, collected look that feels both timeless and current.

The Fireplace: Classic Christmas, Elevated

For the mantel, I kept the design simple and textural with:

A full, lush evergreen garland
A row of staggered white taper candles
A rustic wreath with pinecones and brown bow

I love how the greenery drapes over the edge, just messy enough to look natural, but still clean and intentional. Above it, the wreath creates a stunning focal point that feels both festive and understated.

The Christmas Tree: Simple, Glowing, and Traditional

I kept the tree classic: warm white lights, understated branches, and a modern wooden tree collar. The beauty is in the shape and glow rather than heavy ornamentation. This is one of my favorite tricks for a Modern Traditional Christmas look, let the tree feel natural and elegant, not overly styled. It’s probably a bit controversial, but I find myself pinning similar looks over, and over, and over again.

Window Treatments: Soft, Moody Drapes

The long, smoky drapes frame the room and add the perfect amount of softness. They bring in color, texture, and sheen without overpowering the rest of the palette. Their slightly darker tone keeps the room feeling grounded and ready for winter.

Why This Mood Board Works

This space feels balanced because everything ties back to the color palette. Modern Traditional design is all about blending clean lines with classic elements—and when you layer in holiday greenery and candlelight, it creates the most welcoming Christmas atmosphere.

If you’re craving a holiday living room that feels elevated, calm, and timeless, this palette and layout are a perfect place to start.

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Elizabeth Cusack