Shea McGee Just Put a Christmas Tree in Her Entryway – This Goodbye to Tradition Is Slightly Unexpected but Majorly Impactful

When I think about Christmas, I usually start by decorating my living room long before any other room in the house. All the festive celebrations – present-opening, game-playing, and mulled-wine-sipping – happen here, so it’s always made sense to me to put my Christmas tree in this space.

While I’m usually all about tradition, after seeing Shea McGee’s festive entryway, I’m completely rethinking where to place my tree this year. Even though it’s less conventional, Shea’s design proves that Christmas trees aren’t just for the living room.

She’s decked out her entryway with all the classic Christmas decorations – a garland, a tree, and plenty of presents. They give what’s usually just a pass-through space an entirely new feel, perfect for welcoming guests with a festive first impression. And while Shea’s entryway leans on the larger side, her ideas show that no matter how small your space may be, there are plenty of ways to add a stylish seasonal touch.

Shea completely reimagines her entryway by placing a large-scale Christmas tree at its center. Making use of the unused space beneath the staircase, she transforms an overlooked corner into a stylish and festive nook for her tree.

‘There are three ways to go big with your holiday look in your entryway this year,’ Shea explains in her Instagram post. ‘One: why not clear out what you have and put in a large Christmas tree? Decorate it, add presents – we have this beautiful new wrapping paper – and style it with a layered basket. I love how this tree came out.’

While fitting a full-size tree in every entryway might not be possible, Shea shows that even small spaces can feel festive and impactful by simply including a potted tree, like the Faux Spruce Pre-Lit Potted Tree from her holiday collection.

‘Another tip is to do a potted tree,’ she adds. ‘So, we have two trees in one space, and they work together because they’re different scales. If you don’t have room for a ten-foot Christmas tree, do a potted one – like what I have up here. You can place it on your entryway table, leave it as is, or decorate it.’

Embracing timeless Christmas decorating ideas, Shea drapes lush garlands around her bannisters, balancing the greenery with rustic accents – these Bells on Velvet Ribbon from McGee & Co would do the trick – perfect for catching the light and evoking a wintry feel.

‘We finished this look off with bells,’ Shea says. ‘If you don’t have a bannister in your entryway, there are lots of places you can put a garland. You can drape it over your entryway table, hang it on the inside of your door, or maybe you have an arch or opening that connects your entryway to the rest of your home – you can add a garland there as well.’

Shop Shea's Entryway Look

While a Christmas tree in an entryway isn't exactly traditional, Shea has proven that with the right styling and consideration of scale, it can work just as well as it does in a living room. Remember to create a designated area for your tree so it doesn't get in the way, and if you're restricted on space, add a small potted tree or some garlands for pops of greenery.