Holiday Home Prep: Dining & Living Room Ideas 2025
Get Your Home Holiday-Ready with Dining and Living Room Essentials

Get Your Home Holiday-Ready with Dining and Living Room Essentials

The holidays are right around the corner—and if you’re hosting Thanksgiving dinner, Christmas brunch, or overnight guests (hello in-laws, kids home from college, and grandkids running around!), now is the perfect time to get your home holiday-ready. With CITY Furniture’s wide selection of holiday dining furniture, cozy living room pieces, and stylish accents, creating a warm and welcoming space has never been easier. Whether you’re planning an intimate dinner or a full house of holiday visitors, these modern dining room ideas, living room holiday setup tips, and home-entertaining essentials will help you host stress-free.

Start Your Holiday Prep with Dining Furniture Made for Every Gathering

Start Your Holiday Prep with Dining Furniture Made for Every Gathering

Your dining room becomes the heart of the home during the holidays. It’s where family gathers for Thanksgiving spreads, Christmas brunch, cookie decorating with the grandkids, and late-night catch-up moments with loved ones. Choosing the right holiday dining furniture ensures your space feels inviting, functional, and ready for anything the season brings.

 

The best place to start is with a dining set that matches your hosting style. If you’re expecting a large group, an extendable dining table gives you the flexibility to seat more guests while still maintaining everyday functionality. CITY Furniture offers a range of durable and family-friendly materials, making it easy to select a set that can handle everything from big meals to everyday messes.

 

For a warm, welcoming feel, the CITY-exclusive Highland Collection is an excellent choice.  Its rustic charm and modern durability make it ideal for seasonal tablescapes filled with pine greenery, warm candles, and harvest-inspired décor. If you prefer something sleek and contemporary, the Alden Collection delivers a clean, modern dining room look that complements elegant place settings and sophisticated holiday centerpieces.

 

Once your dining furniture is in place, you can elevate the space with simple but impactful décor. Seasonal runners, textured placemats, and low centerpieces instantly create a holiday-ready aesthetic. These modern dining room ideas not only make your dining area feel festive but also enhance the dining experience for your guests.

Create a Warm, Welcoming Living Room for the Holidays

Create a Warm, Welcoming Living Room for the Holidays

Your living room plays a major role during the holiday season. It’s where the family unwinds after dinner, gifts are exchanged, college kids recharge after long semesters, and grandkids gather for games and movie nights. Preparing your living room holiday setup with comfort and connection in mind ensures everyone feels right at home.

 

Start with flexible seating that can adapt to your needs. A modular sectional gives you the versatility to rearrange seating depending on the event—wwhether you’re watching Thanksgiving football, opening gifts on Christmas morning, or enjoying cozy evenings with extended family. Reclining sofas and loveseats are also excellent for holiday relaxation, offering comfort for long conversations, naps, and movie marathons. Adding accent chairs is another great way to maximize seating while creating intimate conversation areas throughout the room.

 

To make your living room feel instantly more festive, layer in cozy details like plush throw blankets, oversized pillows, and soft, textured rugs. These simple touches make the room feel warm and inviting without requiring a full makeover. Soft lighting—such as warm table lamps, festive string lights, or a glowing floor lamp—adds even more ambience and brings your entire holiday look together. These small décor moments enhance your home’s style while reflecting the joy and warmth of the season.

 

Product Spotlight: Citymod Green Fabric Swivel Chair

Build your living room your way with the CITYMod collection—CITY Furniture’s exclusive line of modern modular seating designed for comfort, flexibility, and long-lasting quality. This Citymod Green Fabric Swivel Chair brings customizable living room style to a new level, allowing you to mix and match pieces to create the perfect layout for any space.

Prepare Guest Rooms for Holiday Visitors: In-Laws, College Kids or Grandkids

Prepare Guest Rooms for Holiday Visitors: In-Laws, College Kids or Grandkids

Holiday hosting often means more than just preparing shared spaces—it’s also about making sure your guests feel comfortable and cared for. Whether you're hosting the in-laws for a full week, your college kids are returning home for winter break, or grandkids are staying overnight for Christmas festivities, having a cozy guest space is essential for stress-free hosting.

 

If you have a dedicated guest room, refresh it with soft bedding, extra pillows, and practical additions like a nightstand with charging ports or a small reading chair. Even simple updates can transform the space into a restful retreat. CITY Furniture’s Highland and Santorini bedroom collections make it easy to style a room that feels polished, comfortable, and inviting. These collections offer timeless designs that create a serene environment, perfect for holiday travelers who need a peaceful place to unwind.

 

If you don’t have a spare bedroom, don’t worry—guest-friendly spaces can be created anywhere with the right furniture. Sleeper sofas offer a smart way to convert a living room or home office into a comfortable sleeping area. Storage benches can hold extra blankets and pillows, while small accent tables and lamps create a cozy bedside feel even in nontraditional spaces. With thoughtful touches and the right home entertaining furniture, any area of your home can become a comfortable guest space.

Add Cozy Accent Furniture for Extra Comfort During Holiday Gatherings

Add Cozy Accent Furniture for Extra Comfort During Holiday Gatherings

During the holidays, having a few extra pieces of functional accent furniture can go a long way. Items like storage benches, sideboards, bar carts, and ottomans help keep your home organized and ready for guests while adding stylish layers to your décor.

 

A storage bench is a great addition to an entryway or living room, offering a convenient place to tuck away seasonal décor, extra throws, or kids’ toys while still providing additional seating when guests arrive. A sideboard or buffet is essential for holiday dining, giving you extra space for serving dishes, drinks, desserts, or even stocking stuffers. Meanwhile, a bar cabinet or bar cart makes entertaining simple, allowing you to set up a dedicated area for cocktails, hot cocoa, or holiday mocktails.

 

Coffee tables and ottomans that double as seating or storage are also incredibly helpful during holiday gatherings. Not only do they help keep your space clutter-free, but they also make your home feel more functional during busy hosting moments. These pieces are especially useful when you have grandkids playing, friends dropping by for holiday snacks, or family lounging after dinner.

 

Product Spotlight: Sieni Light Tone Stone Credenza

Elevate your home with the Sieni Light Tone Stone Credenza, a stunning statement piece that blends natural materials with modern design. This rectangular credenza features four striking door panels crafted from real Scolocite mineral, giving your space a unique, contemporary edge that stands out in any living room, dining room, or entryway.

Bring the Holiday Spirit to Life with Simple, Stylish Decor

Bring the Holiday Spirit to Life with Simple, Stylish Decor

Holiday décor is the finishing touch that brings your entire home together. Whether your style is minimal and modern or warm and traditional, layered seasonal décor can make your home feel festive and full of personality.


Start with a neutral base, like soft textiles and warm lighting, then layer in seasonal greenery—such as garlands, wreaths, or small trees—to create visual warmth throughout your space. Incorporate metallic accents for sparkle, woven textures for coziness, and natural elements like pinecones or wood candle holders to enhance your home's seasonal style. Spreading these pieces across your dining room, living room, and entryway helps create a cohesive holiday look that feels intentional and inviting.


With these simple décor touches, your home becomes a welcoming retreat for every visitor—from the relatives you see every year to the friends stopping by unexpectedly. And the best part? These décor upgrades have staying power, allowing you to enjoy a warm, stylish home throughout the entire holiday season.

 

Product Spotlight: Shiver Beige Small Sculpture

Add a festive touch to your home this holiday season with the Shiver Beige Small Sculpture. Crafted from durable resin, this charming snowman sculpture is perfect for decorating tables, shelves, mantels, or any tabletop surface. Its neutral beige tone complements a variety of décor styles, making it a versatile holiday home accessory that brings seasonal cheer to any space.

Stress-Free Hosting Starts with the Right Holiday Furniture

Stress-Free Hosting Starts with the Right Holiday Furniture

A smooth and stress-free holiday season begins with a home that’s well-prepared, beautifully styled, and fully functional. When you choose the right holiday dining furniture, cozy living room pieces, and smart accent items, every gathering becomes easier to host and more enjoyable for your guests. CITY Furniture’s wide selection—including the CITY-exclusive Highland and Alden collections—offers everything you need to create a festive, comfortable, and stylish home that truly reflects the joy of the holidays.

 

From Thanksgiving feasts to Christmas mornings, and from family reunions to casual get-togethers, CITY Furniture helps you design spaces that welcome everyone with comfort and style. Living room sectionals, recliners, and accent chairs provide the perfect seating for conversations and relaxation, while dining sets, sideboards, and storage benches keep your space organized and ready for entertaining. Thoughtful touches like seasonal décor, wall art, and cozy textiles complete your home’s holiday look, making it feel warm, inviting, and picture-perfect.

 

Product Spotlight: Margo White Fabric Accent Chair

Elevate your living room with the Margo White Fabric Accent Chair, a stylish blend of modern design and everyday comfort. The sling-style seat paired with a sleek square profile adds a contemporary twist to casual seating, making it a standout piece in any living room setup.

CITY Furniture Favorites: Top Picks for Holiday Hosting

When it comes to preparing your home for Thanksgiving dinner, Christmas morning gatherings, and everything in between, having the right furniture makes all the difference. CITY Furniture offers a curated selection of pieces designed to elevate your hosting experience while adding comfort, style, and functionality. These top holiday picks are perfect for anyone looking to refresh their home-entertaining setup with quality pieces built to last.

Highland Dining Collection

Highland Dining Collection

One of the standout favorites this season is the Highland Dining Collection, a CITY-exclusive series known for its warm, inviting finishes and rustic-modern charm. It’s ideal for holiday meals, everyday family dinners, and large gatherings.

Sophisticated Alden Dining Collection

Sophisticated Alden Dining Collection

For a modern holiday look, the Alden Collection is a top choice. Its sleek, contemporary design creates a sophisticated dining room and pairs beautifully with festive seasonal décor, elegant table settings, and warm lighting. 

Nixon White Fabric Modular Sofa

Nixon White Fabric Modular Sofa

If your living room needs a holiday-ready refresh, CITY’s modular sectional sofas and versatile reclining seating are crowd favorites. Pieces like the Nixon Sectional or Marquez Taupe Sectional offer flexible seating for families of all sizes.

Elegant Nomad Black Rect Buffet

Elegant Nomad Black Rect Buffet

For multifunctional spaces, items like CITY’s Nomad Black Rect Buffet are must-haves. They offer practical convenience—especially when hosting a full house—by providing extra storage, serving surfaces, and designated areas for holiday drinks.

Wrap-Up: Make Your Holidays Easy, Stylish, and Guest-Ready

Wrap-Up: Make Your Holidays Easy, Stylish, and Guest-Ready

The holidays are meant to be enjoyed—not spent worrying about seating, décor, or guest comfort. With the right holiday dining furniture, living room holiday setup, and cozy accent pieces, you can transform your home into a welcoming space for Thanksgiving, Christmas, and all seasonal celebrations. By focusing on comfort, versatility, and style, even busy, bustling homes feel organized and festive.

 

Whether it’s your in-laws staying over, grandkids running around, or college kids back for a visit, thoughtful furniture choices make hosting effortless. Modular sectionals and reclining sofas create flexible seating for every guest, while dining tables that extend accommodate everyone at the table without crowding. Adding accent furniture like storage benches, sideboards, or ottomans not only keeps your home tidy but also adds extra comfort for unexpected guests or impromptu holiday gatherings.

 

Small décor touches can also make a big difference: soft throw blankets, seasonal pillows, and warm area rugs instantly make your living space feel cozy and festive. Layering textures, adding holiday-inspired accents, and incorporating natural elements such as greenery or wood details bring warmth and personality to every room.

 

Remember, a home that’s prepared for the holidays not only looks beautiful—it feels inviting, functional, and ready for lasting memories. With CITY Furniture’s Highland and Alden collections, you can create a cohesive, stylish look across your home while ensuring practicality for all your holiday entertaining needs. The right furniture and décor choices allow you to focus on what really matters: laughter, connection, and the joy of spending quality time with the people you love.

 

With careful planning and the right pieces, your home can be a true holiday haven—welcoming, stress-free, and full of warmth that guests will remember long after the season ends.

Simplify Your Holiday Hosting with CITY Furniture Services

Simplify Your Holiday Hosting with CITY Furniture Services

Hosting the holidays can be exciting—but it can also be stressful if you’re juggling furniture layouts, décor decisions, and last-minute shopping. CITY Furniture makes it easier than ever with services designed to help you create a holiday-ready home quickly and effortlessly.

 

1. Visualize Your Space with the 3D Planner
Not sure how your new holiday dining furniture or living room seating will fit? CITY Furniture’s 3D Room Planner lets you visualize your space in real time. You can experiment with different layouts, swap pieces, and see exactly how furniture from the Highland or Alden collections will look in your home. This tool takes the guesswork out of holiday decorating, so you can plan with confidence and style.

 

2. Fast Shipping for Last-Minute Hosts
Time is always of the essence during the holidays. CITY Furniture’s fast shipping ensures that your furniture and décor arrive quickly, giving you more time to set up and less stress waiting for deliveries. Whether it’s a new dining set for Thanksgiving or an accent chair for your living room holiday setup, fast shipping guarantees your home will be ready when guests arrive.

 

3. Free Design Services to Bring Your Vision to Life
Need expert guidance on styling your space or picking the perfect furniture combinations? CITY Furniture offers free in-store or virtual design services. From selecting the right home entertaining furniture to creating cohesive color palettes and layouts, professional designers help you maximize comfort, style, and function for your holiday gatherings. It’s like having a personal interior designer at no extra cost.

 

With these services, you can confidently plan, furnish, and style your home for the holidays—without the stress, the guesswork, or the last-minute scramble. From dining room holiday décor to cozy living room arrangements, CITY Furniture ensures your home is both beautiful and functional, ready for every memorable holiday moment.