We all know the traditional Christmas colour scheme of red and green. And while there is absolutely nothing wrong with embracing tradition - especially as nostalgic decor is now more popular than ever - you also shouldn’t feel restricted by tradition if these colours don’t speak to you or don’t pair well with your existing home decor. Especially as there’s a whole host of other potential Christmas colour schemes to choose from.
Some colours and colour pairings are trendy newcomers for this year’s festive season that will help create a contemporary and unusual Christmas, while others are more timeless Christmas decor ideas. So whether you’re looking for a cohesive colour palette for your baubles and ornaments to adorn your best artificial Christmas tree with or the best hues for your Christmas table linens, we’re sure you’ll find plenty of inspiration here.
Christmas colour schemes
‘The overall colour direction for 2024 seems to be either embracing traditional colours with a modern twist (like the lime addition to red and green) or going full maximalist,’ says Samantha Picard, the founder of Tablescapeluvr who’s partnered with Balsam Hill this Christmas season.
Your Christmas decor should complement your existing home design so that should be your starting point, along with what instinctively appeals to you the most. But besides that, the world is your oyster.
1. Think pink
According to Google Trends, searches for ‘pink Christmas decor’ are the highest out of all the colours, adding up to over 304,000 Google searches this year. From pink Christmas decorations to pink coloured trees, everyone seems to have pink Christmas on the brain. And we see the appeal of this sweet yet playful shade used for the festive period.
‘We've definitely noticed more customers opting for colourful Christmas trees recently,’ says Sam Sutherland, Flitch interior stylist. ‘There’s a growing demand for trees in shades like pink as people look to make a more unique statement for the festive season.’
Bring a bit of sweetness to your festive decor with these bonbon-shaped glass baubles from Next. So adorable!
If your desire for a pink Christmas is strong, then why not go all out with a pink tree? This saturated Argos version will make a statement and it won't cost you an arm and a leg either. It's a win-win!
Bows are everywhere this Christmas. And we can't think of a better combination than bows and pink - these Anthropologie clip-on Christmas bows in pink are a match made in heaven.
2. Let your home shimmer and shine
Last year, we were introduced to the idea of the Christmas disco trend in all its shimmery, metallic and mirrored glory. And with the amount of mirrored disco ball baubles available on the market this year among other things, it’s clear this fun festive look is not going anywhere anytime soon. Especially given that ‘silver Christmas decor’ has been searched for almost 15,000 times on Google this year.
‘Instagram's 'disco ball' hashtag is currently on 392,000 posts,’ Samantha says. ‘The great thing about the disco trend is its versatility, it caters to personal preferences and promises a stylish, joyful celebration. The main feature of this look is combining metallics, with warm gold touches offsetting the cooler silver tones. For even more glamour, I suggest opting for ornaments with real impact. The next must is foil fringe – and lots of it. Drape it over your tree, your wreaths, your table; wherever! And, of course, you’ll want to top it all with a mirrored tree topper.’
3. Go for snowy white
Decorating for Christmas in the colour of snow makes sense, at least in our eyes. Sadly, we’re rarely treated to a white Christmas in the UK but that doesn’t mean you can’t create a snow-inspired scene in your home for the festive season.
And it seems many would agrees as ‘white Christmas decor’ has attracted almost 37,000 Google searches this year and Pinterest searches for ‘white Christmas tree’ are eight times higher.
‘White decor is gaining some traction, with 36,940 searches, offering a timeless and elegant choice,’ says David Sumner, sales manager at Christmas Tree World.
Going for strings of oversized pearls instead of tinsel on your tree is the perfect Christmas garland idea that will create the feel of vintage charm. And Cox & Cox does this best.
Christmas baubles that look like snowballs? Yes, please, sign us up! Whether you're into the white Christmas colour scheme for the whimsical snowy feel or the clean, elevated look, these baubles will fit right in.
Paper Christmas trees are this year's festive trend we didn't know we needed. But their Scandi chic look and fuss-free storage and maintenance is what's made us obsessed with these. Many retailers make mini versions that would look lovely on a mantelpiece but it's this supersized Cox & Cox paper tree that could actually stand in place of a traditional tree.
4. Opt for a colour clash
Throw out the rule book and go for a joy-inducing, colourful Christmas! It may not be a traditional scheme for Christmas, but it's a surefire way to bring some vibrancy and fun to your home this holiday, especially to a Christmas table decoration idea.
Sam Hood, co-founder and CCO of Amara says, ‘Forget the traditional this Christmas, it’s all about the bright, the bold and the beautiful with our trend, Circus. With a carousel of rainbow tones and sequins galore, you can create a festive funhouse to brighten your home this season.'
'Don’t hold back, add every colourful bauble to your tree to have real impact, and don’t forget plenty of fairy lights to really let the colours shine!’
5. Turn traditional on its head
While technically this is a classic combination of green and red, it's actually a very contemporary way of pairing the two shades, with use of fresh eucalyptus keeping it modern. The dark sage green walls creates a background that is calming and cool, while the touches of red have been added in small doses via ribbons on the chair backs and the occasional bauble too.
Burnt ambers, copper and golds give it a glamorous touch and the use of kraft paper decorations and wrap make it homely. This is also an easy Christmas colour scheme to incorporate into decorating a tree with.
6. Combine shades of berry and blush
While pink living room ideas are big business in interiors, pink dining rooms are also gaining traction, and offer the perfect backdrop for a grown-up Christmas setting.
If your walls are a paler shade of pink, opt for a tablecloth in a rich berry shade to compliment and flatter, then bring in shades of copper, rose gold and champagne through glassware and crockery.
Fresh foliage will bring a bit of life to your scheme and while we've kept things fairly simple in this dining room, you could add a berry-studded garland to the tabletop to really up the ante.
7. Go for the quiet luxury look
The quiet luxury trend has taken over interiors in the last couple of years, so it's only natural that it continues its reign right through to Christmas. The aesthetic is all about neutral colour palettes and plenty of texture, creating a high-end design.
For those who are lovers of pared-back palettes and tend to keep to a neutral living room, this will be an easy Christmas colour scheme to go for. You can stick to a white foundation and include pops of other neutral tones such as beige and coppery-brown. Just make sure you add plenty of warmth through soft furnishings such as boucle, then let the tree do the talking.
And while quiet luxury looks and sounds expensive, it doesn't have to be that way. Clever buying with home decor discounts will help keep the bottom line low and the style sky high.
8. Express yourself with rainbow brights
Throw tradition to the wind when selecting which of this year's Christmas colour schemes to experiment with.
Add joy by liberally using your favourite rainbow bright shades as a Christmas mantel decor idea. Mix and match colours, but make sure that one has dominance. If you choose pink, for example, different tones of pink throughout will help keep the look feeling designed rather than too random.
Nod to classic festive decor by updating elements like garlands with colourful flowers instead of natural foliage.
9. Layer with playful pastels
Pinks are going absolutely nowhere from our homes – and Christmas is no exception. Make like the Sugar Plum fairy and layer up the softest pastel shades.
'Give your home a sophisticated and elegant feel, with hints of snowflake whites and icy blues. Combining jewelled pieces with a sprinkling of sparkle, the collection will transform your home into a magical winter wonderland,' Sam at Amara says.
10. Go moody with terracotta reds
Add some drama to your home this festive season by turning to sultry terracottas and burgundy. Whether it's in a living room or for a Christmas hallway idea, it's bound to create a warm and inviting feel for those entering your home.
A more grown up take on the classic Christmas reds, this deep brownish-red works beautifully when paired with fir tree greens. It's especially effective and warming in the evening, so light generously with candles for the ultimate cosy night in.
11. Choose a fresh white and green combo
Capture the serenity of a snowy forest with gathered foliage, rustic wood and green decorations in a soft white setting.
Teaming your fresh whites with natural greenery warms up the bright neutrals. This also feels like a more contemporary take on the more traditional Christmas colour schemes which we're all used to.
It's a great look anywhere in the home, but the tops of dressers and Christmas mantel decor will feel energised and refreshed with this combination.
12. Go all-natural with taupe
Not every home wants their colour scheme to stand out too much. Take a more subtle approach with taupes and creams.
A softer look than the usual festive neutral - white - shades of tan work wonderfully well with green foliage and touches of metallics.
13. Create warmth with copper tones
Metallics needn't mean blingtastic, as this bronze decorating scheme proves. Burnished bronze and aged brass tones can welcome a more sophisticated tone, to the glam look an elegant edge.
Warming tones of bronze pair perfectly with current on-trend mustards and rust shades.
14. Tone down sparkle with greys
We love a metallic at Christmas, but not every home style is crying out for glitter.
Consider using various tones of greys for a cool and modern take on sparkly silvers. Pair with fairy lights and lashings of seasonal foliage to keep the look warm.
15. Introduce on-trend jewel tones
Create a captivating Christmas scheme with the introduction of richly saturated rich jewel tones. From emerald green, sapphire blue, ruby red, amethyst purple and citrine yellow.
The fusion of warming shades helps to add a decadent touch to festive decorating. Any of the on-trend tones pair well with existing gold or bronze decorations.
'This trend embraces rich, luxurious jewel tones, especially when it comes to velvet bows and decorative elements. These deeper, more saturated colours help create what's described as "beautiful, harmonious chaos",' Samantha of Tablescapeluvr says.
16. Go for gold
Don’t be afraid of a little bling! From soft, aged tones to brassy and rich bronze shades, gold adds warmth and elegance. It’s a no-brainer at Christmas, but gold can be used as an accent colour all year round to lift and finish a simple room scheme.
If your room is neutral, a gold-finish lamp or metal-frame side table will add polish without introducing a colour contrast.
17. Add monochrome to your home
Black and white is an extremely fashionable Christmas concept, and styled well it can be very warming and festive.
Try adding discreet twinkling fairy lights to add some sparkle to the dark room and position beneath modern, metal wreath wall fixtures.
Finally, full bushy trees are a thing of the past for the fashion pack so go for a sparse tree adding softer, wooded tones to the room.
FAQs
What is the colour scheme for Christmas 2024?
As with every year, the colour schemes are getting broader and more varied as people get braver with their choices, and this year the theme is colour, colour and more colour.
'Interiors trends have seen a resurgence in the palettes and styles of the past and this Christmas the retro revival is here to stay. A brilliant trend for those who like to mix and match their extensive decorations collection, eclecticism is the name of the game, so don't be afraid to combine colours and textures,' says Jennifer Derry, chief merchandise and design expert at Balsam Hill.
'Another really easy way to begin building this look is with multi-coloured lights which impart an instant touch of nostalgia,' she adds.
'A luxe way to lean into this trend is to pair earthy tones that scream seventies with pops of bright blue. The most important thing to remember with maximalism is to "go big". I recommend experimenting with proportions; layering oversized decorations, for instance, is a great way to create depth and give a playful feel.'
What are the basic Christmas colours?
The most traditional Christmas colours have to be red, white and green. Essentially, look to seasonal nature and you'll find these core, classic Christmas colours. The red of holly berries, green of evergreen foliage and fir trees and white of mistletoe and snow.
But how about being a little braver this year and going for a bolder colour scheme in your home?
Emma Bestley, co-founder and creative director for YesColours, says, 'Christmas is about injecting joy around you and an exciting paint colour is the perfect ingredient to do just that. Get creative with your sample pots and leftover paint by giving a new lease of life to tired baubles, candle holders or plain lampshades. Give your decorations the perfect backdrop by zoning a wall in a colour that will bring you joy not just at Christmas, but for the rest of the year too.'
'Injections of small accents help to accentuate the colours you already have. It could be a bold pink, a zesty yellow or even a retro olive green. Look at your current scheme and work out what could tonally work to create festive harmony or choose a colour which gives that impact as a dramatic contrast.'
Which palette takes your fancy? Are you inclined to keep it traditional or add in a pop of pink? Whichever you choose, your home is guaranteed to look and feel thoroughly festive.
