Christmas Table Decoration Ideas

Updated: 2019-10-25

So, you’re planning a big dinner party for Christmas. You’ve got the menu set, caterer lined up (or maybe a potluck), and music and décor selected.

There will be your immediate family of five, plus your two siblings and their spouses, and their four kids; on your husband’s side, you’ll have both of his parents and your bonus daughter home from college. Let’s see, that makes 16 houseguests. Wait, what? That’s sixteen loved ones gathered in one room to open Christmas presents under the tree, 16 loved ones laughing and retelling treasured old stories, 16 loved ones with buckets of popcorn watching Christmas movies together…where are you all going to fit?

Perhaps a few of your guests are bringing a ‘plus one.’ Of course, you don’t want to leave anyone out. Where are you all going to sit? The great room really isn’t as big as its name implies. What’s a host to do?

Room planning is a breeze when you discover creative Christmas table decoration ideas. Read some of our best tips on decorating a table for Christmas!

Add Table Leaves to Your Dining Room Table

Remember when you bought your dining room table? Didn’t it come with a table leaf that you thought you’d never use? It’s time to pull that table leaf out of storage and put it to good use. Most dining room tables come with an option for one or two table leaves to expand the table. If you didn’t purchase table leaves with your table, you may want to call your furniture retailer and place an order. Once you have your table leaves, you’ll be prepared to entertain in style for this dinner party and every party in the future.

Installing your table leaves takes just a few minutes, and it can be managed with one or two people. Your table should have four locking mechanisms underneath. Simply turn the locks, which will allow the table to open. Position one person on each end of the table and pull the table out as far as it will go. Insert your table leaf or leaves so that the pegs and holes align. Then, simply push the table back together so it’s snug and re-secure the locking mechanisms underneath.

How Much Room do Table Leaves Add?

Your table leaves will generally add one more seat on each side of the table. However, with a little ingenuity, you may be able to squeeze one more seat in per side. When determining your maximum sating, keep in mind that your guests might sit a little closer to each other. But there should still be enough room for each person to pull out their chair to sit down or get up as needed. The extra space will help add more space for Christmas table settings.

If you still need more seating beyond this, you may want to consider adding another table to the mix. If the tables are the same height and you have space, try pushing them together to create one long table. If your tables are different heights, consider moving them closer together for conversation, but still leave enough room for your guests to move around.

Seating Options: Benches vs. Chairs and More

Now that you have the table space for your party, you’ll need to tackle seating. Although you bought extra table leaves with your dining room table, you probably didn’t purchase extra chairs. Of course, when it comes to Christmas table decoration ideas, you can always rent seating or borrow chairs from a friend or neighbor, but folding chairs aren’t exactly dining room material. So, the best option may be to invest in traditional seating that you can keep on hand for other occasions.

By investing in additional seating now, you’ll always have a cohesive space, instead of looking like you pulled everything out of your garage. If you need to purchase extra chairs, contact your furniture retailer as soon as possible. When room planning, your designer can help you order chairs that will match or coordinate with your current décor. And always buy pieces you can use throughout your home. (We’ll get to that a little later.)

Some party hosts choose to place chairs on one side of the table and add a bench to the other side. Because chairs have a larger footprint, bench seating may allow you to fit one more person on that side. You may also add additional dining room chairs to your seating. (It’s OK if they don’t match.)

Your guests can also sit comfortably on a stool, poof chair or sturdy side table. Just be sure that the extra bench, chairs or poofs allow your guests to sit at the same height as those seated in other chairs. You wouldn’t want some guests to feel uncomfortable sitting noticeably lower than everyone else.

Christmas Coffee Table Design Ideas

Coffee tables don’t always have to be heavy, bulky and one-level. Sleek-looking Kara Ottoman styles are narrow, so they fit where most won’t, they’re two-leveled, and one especially clever version offers a removable tray. Boulder Bunching Cocktail Table at a slim 40” wide is one of the most versatile in the collection. Then again, simple tray tables might just be the answer for a crowd as big as this.

Christmas Living Room Furniture Design Ideas

To find seating for a group this large, you’ll need a clever solution. A sectional sofa design like Beckham offers a corner chair, armless chair and ottoman. Depending on the number of pieces you choose, you can configure these into four designs: “Pit”, “L”, “U”, and “Chaise” – or use a few of these pieces separately in other areas of the room.

Designer Tip: Choose the storage ottoman and you’ll have a handy place to store cozy throws, tablets and magazines, and the always elusive remote.

To maximize your seating options, look for a stylish wooden bench or a custom upholstered bench in one of 800 fabrics (or one of yours). Pile up more pillows and blankets on the floor, then sit back and watch how creative kids can be when they want to stretch out and relax.

What’s important to keep in mind is that you and your family will all be together, under one roof, reveling in one very special time of year. If you’re like most families, this opportunity doesn’t come along all that often. Try to relax. Take a deep breath. If you want help, call in the experts -- Design Consultants are available free of charge. You can also Apply for Financing. Shop online, find a store, or shop by catalog and get your holiday home ready for all of your loved ones today.

Creative Uses for Extra Seating After Your Dinner Party

Here’s the great news! Once your party is over and the table leaves are back in storage, you can make creative use of your extra seating throughout your home. Here are a few fun Christmas decorations ideas for your home for year-round use of your extra seating.

Use a bench in a mudroom or other entryway.
Use a dining chair as extra bedroom seating, desk seating, or sewing/craft room seating.
Add a dining room chair in a hallway corner with a pillow or throw for visual interest.
Create a cozy sitting area with two dining chairs and a small table in between.
Poof seating can double as an additional cozy living room or bedroom seating.
A small, sturdy ottoman can double as a cocktail table or end table in your living room or den.
Pull your extra seating out for a game night or for casual gatherings around your coffee table.