10 Chic Christmas Color Schemes to Deck the Halls Like a Designer
Decorating for the holidays is a favorite Christmas tradition but after a while, the same color scheme may feel a bit tired and overdone. Or, you may be decorating your first apartment for Christmas and looking for some serious holiday inspiration.
Either way, we’re sharing a mix of cozy, elegant Christmas color schemes that fit a wide variety of styles whether you’re sticking to classic red and green or want to step outside of the box. No matter which route you choose, your holiday guests are sure to be impressed by your thoughtful color pairings and festive accents in the kitchen, living room, and beyond.
1. Stick to tradition with red and green.
“You can’t go wrong with the classic colors of red and green,” says Jason Bell, director of design for Blackberry Farm Design. “They are bright and cheery and paired with an abundance of lights, it brings warm to any door front or interior.”
One way to further create a postcard-perfect holiday scene is by mixing a variety of wintry materials like velvet ribbons, soft tartans, and rustic wood accents.
2. Up the glamour with white, gold, and silver.
“A wonderful, universal scheme that I love for the holiday season is layered whites mixed with hints of gold and silver. It is simple, elegant, and timeless,” says New York- and Palm Beach-based designer Scott Sanders.
While Sanders’s palette is restrained, this photo proves these colors can still be plenty festive and continue to serve as elegant decoration throughout the winter.
3. Lean into organic elements with gold and brown.
“This year my go-to holiday color pairings are brown and green,” says Dallas-based designer Doniphan Moore. “I can’t go without a large Christmas tree in my living room and what’s better than wooden accents for a homey holiday season?”
We love how Moore also combined other natural materials into this scene, like furry rugs and accent pillows, to up the cozy and elegance factors.
4. Go coastal with sea blue, white, and soft green.
Andrea of @valleyviewabode struck a balance of traditional and coastal colors to create a memorable holiday kitchen. Wooden gingerbread house accents and greenery feel right at home in the light and airy cook space without feeling too decked-out for Christmas.
5. Elevate the chicness with gold, white, silver, and blue.
Haley of @athomewithhaley created an ultra-stylish Christmas scheme that feels appropriate for her Charleston home. Touches of various shades of blue enliven the space and offer beachy flair without detracting from the festivity.
6. Be bold with black, silver, and green.
Ore of @oreathome proves that black can be a rewarding choice for decorating this holiday season. This elevated pairing with silver and green looks especially gorgeous in her Victorian home in South London, but this color scheme would look chic just about anywhere.
7. Amp up the fun factor with pink, gold, and white.
How darling is this Christmas color scheme created by @hopeandjadeinteriors? While the firm is known for decorating Insta-worthy kids’s rooms and nurseries, this holiday design is fun for all ages.
8. Bring on the classical elegance with blue, white, red, and green.
This stunning living room designed by The Enchanted Home looks like an absolute dream. Hunt for vintage ginger jars at a mix of local vintage stores and online shops to bring some serious style to your current red and green scene.
9. Embrace winter moodiness with gray, green, gold, and blue.
Chris Loves Julia is a perennial favorite for sourcing design inspo, and we love the ambient Christmas color scheme the husband and wife team created in their living room. Gorgeous greenery, elegant taper candles in brass holders, and a roaring fire set an ultra-cozy scene.
10. Prove that minimalist can still be festive with yellow, green, white, and black.
This stylish seasonal look created by Michael Gianelli of East Hampton Gardens is a great pick for minimalists and modernists alike. Ample greenery enlivens the place for the holidays while feeling in-line with the room’s streamlined design.