A Nancy Meyers–Inspired Coastal Cottage Christmas
People often tell me my style feels like Nancy Meyers meets coastal cottage, and that compliment always makes me smile.
Her film homes (think The Holiday, Something’s Gotta Give, or It’s Complicated) have an effortless mix of comfort and lived-in warmth. And at Christmastime, that feeling becomes even more magical. You can imagine being there, curling up on the sofa with cocoa, listening to Frank Sinatra while the tree lights twinkle!
That is exactly what I always want for my home, so if how I decorate reminds people of a Nancy Meyers movie, I’ll take it!
Mission accomplished!
Let’s talk about how to get this cozy feeling in your home (and I’ll show you examples I’ve used in my home!).
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Today I’m sharing 9 ways to bring that Nancy Meyers Christmas feeling into your own home, with photos and ideas from our house throughout the years.
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1. Window Candles That Glow at Night
Nothing says “storybook Christmas cottage” like candles glowing in every window! We always put out our battery-operated window candles for the holiday season, and every evening we comment on how happy they make us! We absolutely love them, no other window candles compare. This brand has really neat features that make them special, so I definitely recommend them. I’ve bought them for members of our family, too!
They have timers so they magically turn on every evening. Beyond the coziness they bring us inside, their soft flicker makes the house look welcoming from the street, too! We put ours up last night, so we’re all ready for the cozy season.
I’ve also personalized one candle with a little shade, it makes it look like a cozy candle lamp!
2. Twinkly Lights (Everywhere!)
Twinkle lights are such an effortless way to add ambience without a lot of extra clutter.
These copper wire battery string lights are always nice to tuck in places like bookshelves, across a mantel, across countertops, etc
3. Hanging Stars
Hanging these lit stars outside has become a tradition we look forward to each year. I love these because they fold up flat for easy storage in the off season, and add so much sparkle to our porch all winter long!
The stars are so magical! The way they dance around in the breeze and twirl in any snowfall is just absolutely beautiful. Our neighbors often stop by to comment on them as well as the candles on the windowsills. Together they create a Christmas fairytale effect!
We use these stars (they also come in battery but I recommend plug-in if you can!), hung up with white cup hooks on our porch ceiling, with these white extension cords.
You can read more about our hanging stars in this post.
4. A Cozy, Inviting Kitchen
A Nancy Meyers Christmas is all about the kitchen.
Think: cozy lamps on counters or a cart, a simple garland draped over the window, cookbooks inviting you to bake something yummy, a pretty holiday tea towel, a mini tree, festive runner, a simmer pot on the stove…
Cordless battery-operated lamps (I used them in my gift wrap closet, too!)
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5. Greenery
Garland on the staircase, across the mantel, over doorways…such a simple organic touch for the season.
Related Post: My two favorite faux Christmas garlands (+ tips for greenery and garland)
6. An Inviting Entry
Create a warm first impression the way a Nancy Meyers home would in her movie houses—thoughtful, inviting, and effortlessly welcoming. I’m all about the lamp on an entry table, a soft rug underfoot, art on the wall, and a wreath on the door…just a few simple touches that make everyone feel at home the moment they walk in.
7. A Warm, Collected Family Christmas
A hallmark of a Nancy Meyers–inspired Christmas home? Nothing looks like it was bought all at once. It’s cozy, nostalgic, and collected…not too trendy, not too perfectly matchy. Instead, it feels gathered over time. That’s the look I love!
Decorate with layers of memorable things that tell your family’s story: a tree with sentimental ornaments, a mix of old and new decor, gingerbread houses, nativity scenes, salt dough ornaments, paper chains, cookies for Santa plates, nutcrackers…the magic is in the meaningful details!
8. Holiday Dishware
Bring out special seasonal dishes, mugs, or linens to celebrate the magic of the season.
I like to have neutral everyday dishes I can use year round, and then change the look with a few seasonal appetizer/salad/dessert plates, napkins and other accessories.
Snowflake Gingerbread Appetizer Plates // Gingerbread House Appetizer Plates
9. Cozy Bedrooms & Guest Spaces
Nancy Meyers bedrooms always look like they’re waiting for someone to come in and curl up with a book. I try to create that feeling in cozy guest nooks for the holidays. I want our family to love coming to visit our home — I really want them to enjoy their stay.
Here are a few ideas I’ve used at Christmas time: Garland across windows and doorways, a wreath hung above the bed (or hung on the footboard!), stockings, a mini tree in the corner, layered bedding, flickering candles…
I hope this post inspired you to add a little lived-in coziness to your home this Christmas—those simple touches that make someone walk in and immediately say:
“Your house feels like a hug!” or “This house feels like a Nancy Meyers movie!”
Not because it’s perfectly decorated, but because it feels like home!
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