How to Deck Out Your Beach Cottage Kitchen for Christmas

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Credit: Claire Benton w/ Arrow Beach Photography

You know what? This year I'm finally decorating my beach cottage kitchen for Christmas, and I'm so excited to share what I'm doing!

I've always struggled with making my coastal home feel festive without losing that beachy vibe I love year-round. But it's totally possible to blend sandy shores with a festive winter holiday, and my kitchen is going to be the heart of it all.

Choosing My Coastal Christmas Color Palette

First things first, I ditched the traditional red and green. I mean, I love those colors, but they just felt wrong in my beach cottage. Instead, I'm going with:

• Aqua blue and seafoam green as my primary colors

• Crisp white and silver for that snowy sparkle

• Sandy neutrals to keep things grounded

• Little pops of coral and soft gold for warmth

Credit: Celeste Monroe

Beginner tip: Start with what you already have! I would use my existing white dishes and clear glassware as a neutral base, then layering in the coastal Christmas colors through smaller, affordable items like dish towels and ornaments. You don't need to buy everything new.

Creating My Kitchen Island Centerpiece

My kitchen island is getting a holiday upgrade this year. I'm creating a simple coastal Christmas centerpiece that anyone could easily replicate. Here's my easy DIY project:

My Beachy Christmas Bowl Project:

I found this beautiful weathered wooden dough bowl at a thrift store for $12, and I'm filling it with a mix of turquoise and white ornaments, starfish I collected last summer, some sand dollars, and pieces of driftwood. Then I'm weaving in these battery-operated fairy lights throughout. It looks magical when the sun goes down!

For beginners who want something even simpler, try this: grab a large glass hurricane vase, fill the bottom with white sand (I got mine at the craft store), nestle in a white pillar candle, and arrange shells around the base. Done! It takes maybe ten minutes and looks so elegant.

Transforming My Cabinets with Garland

I'm having so much fun with my cabinets this year. I bought this natural rope garland and I'm customizing it myself to make it coastal. Here's what I'm adding:

• Starfish in different sizes (spray-painted some white, left others natural)

• Small wooden buoys from the craft store

• Silver jingle bells for that Christmas sound

• A few mini ornaments in my coastal colors

My favorite hack: I'm using Command hooks on my cabinet tops so I don't damage the wood. They hold the garland perfectly and come right off in January without leaving marks.

For my open shelving, I'm tucking small decorations between my everyday dishes. I made these cute mini trees from pieces of driftwood, and I'm scattering a few ornaments here and there. It makes the whole space feel festive without looking cluttered.

Dressing Up My Kitchen Windows

My kitchen windows overlook the water, so I want to keep them mostly clear. But I'm adding some subtle coastal Christmas touches that catch the light beautifully.

My DIY Window Ornament Project:

I bought clear glass ornaments and I'm filling them with layers of sand from our beach, tiny shells, and even some sea glass I've collected. I'm hanging them at different heights using fishing line, and when the sun hits them, they create these beautiful sparkles across my countertops.

Credit: Claire Benton w/ Arrow Beach Photography

I'm also making a simple window valance by stringing shells, starfish, and ornaments along jute twine. It adds just enough festivity without blocking my gorgeous view.

Beginner-friendly option: If DIY isn't your thing, just hang a simple coastal wreath in your window. I found one with bleached driftwood, white berries, and a burlap bow that's perfect.

Styling My Countertops Without the Clutter

I'll be honest, I need my counter space for actual cooking! So I'm being strategic about my coastal Christmas vignettes. Here's what's working for me:

Three small groupings instead of one big display:

1. Near my stove: A trio of white ceramic trees (different heights!) with a piece of coral

2. By my sink: A little ceramic gingerbread house wax warmer

3. Coffee station: A small beach-themed wood art and my favorite coastal mugs on display

My practical tip: Keep everything on trays! That way, when I need the counter space for meal prep, I can just move the whole tray aside. I'm using a whitewashed wooden tray that matches my beach cottage aesthetic perfectly.

Adding the Perfect Coastal Christmas Lighting

Lighting is honestly making the biggest difference in my kitchen transformation. I'm keeping it simple but impactful:

• White string lights along my open shelving (they're on a timer so I don't have to think about them)

• Lights inside my glass-front cabinets for a soft glow

• These gorgeous Edison bulb string lights around my window for a rustic coastal feel

Budget tip: I got most of my lights at the dollar store! They look just as good as the expensive ones, trust me.

I also wrapped some rope lights around a large piece of driftwood I've had forever, and it's become this statement piece on my counter. It was free and looks like something from a fancy coastal boutique.

Finishing Touches with Kitchen Textiles

The final layer is all about the textiles, and this is where I'm having the most fun! I found these adorable kitchen towels with Santa on a surfboard (I know, right?), and I'm switching out my everyday stuff for:

• Holiday dish towels with coastal motifs (Santas on the beach are my favorite)

• A table runner featuring seashells and greenery for my island

• Festive oven mitts with anchors and Christmas trees

• A small coastal Christmas tree skirt for the tiny tree I'm putting in the corner

Clickable Image: IdleTymeCreations via Etsy

DIY project for crafty beginners: I'm taking plain white napkins and using a stencil to add little starfish in metallic gold paint. They're turning out so cute and personalized!

The best part about decorating my beach cottage kitchen for Christmas this way? Everything feels cohesive and true to my style. I'm not trying to turn my home into a winter wonderland, I'm celebrating the holidays in a way that honors where I live and what I love. My kitchen feels warm, festive, and totally me.

Plus, when my family arrives for Christmas dinner, they're going to walk into a space that's both familiar and magically transformed. That's exactly what the holidays should feel like, right?

Interested in more of a vintage coastal Christmas aesthetic? Check out this post!