Christmas Dining Room Decor: A Cozy, Collected Space with Handmade Details

This year’s Christmas dining room decor came together in a way that feels especially meaningful. Not because everything is new, but because so many details were made with intention. The dining room is one of the most used spaces in our home during the holidays. It’s where we gather, linger, and make memories. I wanted it to feel warm, cozy, and thoughtfully collected. Once all of the DIY projects were finished, this room finally felt complete.

A New Plate Rail with Purpose

One of the most significant changes in the dining room this year is the addition of a plate rail. We built it to display my favourite dishes!

The white scalloped dishes with a soft blue trim are from Walmart’s limited-edition Fraiche Collection from this past spring. While they could be everyday dishes, I save them for entertaining and special gatherings. Adding the plate rail allowed them to become part of the decor rather than remain tucked away.

The beadboard backing complements the beadboard backsplash and pantry/baking area in the kitchen. I also finished the rail in the same vintage gold tone used on the pantry plate rail, helping the spaces flow together.

This plate rail wasn’t originally meant to go here. We planned to install it on the opposite wall, but once we remembered the pocket door behind it, the plans changed. Now I’m wondering whether we should add a second plate rail to flank the china cabinet — perhaps with a scalloped top instead of crown moulding. I’d love to hear your thoughts.  In the new year, I will share a blog post about the plate rail, including how I made the railing.

A China Cabinet Styled for the Season

Normally, my Christmas dishes live in the china cabinet. This year, I tried something a little different.

I’ve started collecting coordinating blue pottery pieces from a local small business, Sleepy Hollow Ceramics, and they pair beautifully with my dishes.  So I styled them together in my grandma’s China cabinet.  I plan to continue adding to this collection over time for family gatherings and entertaining.

Since the china cabinet hasn’t had its complete makeover yet, I temporarily added wallpaper to the back. I simply cut it to size and taped it in place. It was a small change, but it helped the dishes stand out just a little more.

Scattered throughout the cabinet are bottle brush trees displayed on handmade stands. I also added a few to the plate rail, which helps visually connect the two areas. These small trees add height, texture, and a soft Christmas feel without overpowering the dishes.

In the new year, this cabinet will finally get the makeover it deserves.

A Christmas Tree with Handmade Details

Instead of using a traditional stand, I set the tree in a refinished urn that I made specifically for this space. It gives the tree a soft, vintage-inspired elegance.

The tree is decorated, allowing the handmade details to shine. This year, I added DIY snowflake ornaments in blue, white, and gold that I created myself. They coordinate beautifully with the dishes, pottery, and the room’s overall colour palette. These ornaments add just enough sparkle while keeping the look soft and collected. See the blog post here where I share all my dining room Christmas DIYs.

Familiar Christmas Decor with Gentle Updates

I kept many of the Christmas staples in the dining room right where they’ve always been. The trees and little reindeer remained on the cabinet.

I added a wreath and bow to the mirror above the china cabinet, which instantly softened the space. On the table, I styled our lazy Susan — which we also use as a charcuterie board — as a simple centrepiece. I layered it with DIY candlesticks finished in a vintage gold look, battery-operated taper candles, and a framed photo in a vintage-style frame. These are the kinds of details that feel personal and lived-in, especially during the holidays.

Handmade DIYs That Brought the Room Together

Once all of the DIY projects were complete, the room truly came together.

This year’s dining room DIYs included:

• A Christmas tree set in a refinished urn
• Custom bottle brush tree stands
• Blue, white, and gold snowflake resin ornaments
• Vintage-style gold candlesticks

Instead of spreading these projects across multiple posts, I created a single dedicated DIY tutorial that covers them all in one place. If you’re interested in any of those projects, you can find the complete step-by-step instructions in the video below and the blog post here:

A Dining Room Ready for Gathering

This dining room feels especially me this Christmas. It carries a vintage, timeworn charm shaped by years of making, collecting, and remembering. From the handmade DIY details to treasured family pieces like my grandmother’s china cabinet and my great-grandmother’s dining table and chairs, every layer tells a story. Thrifty finds, DIY pieces, and repurposed items add character and personality, making the space feel personal. The addition of the plate rail feels like the finishing touch — the icing on the cake. I’m already looking ahead to giving the china cabinet, and possibly the dining table and chairs, the refresh they deserve next year.

If there’s one thing I’ve learned over the years, it’s that a home doesn’t need constant change to feel fresh. Sometimes, it just needs thoughtful updates and a few handmade touches to bring everything together.

Save This for Later

If this Christmas dining room decor inspired you, be sure to save it on Pinterest so you can come back to it next season.

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With Grace,
Kimberly